COMMUNITY centres and village halls – many struggling due to coronavirus restrictions – are being given a helping hand to survive.

Durham County Council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) have been given a combined £1.4 million as part of a Covid-19 Assistance Fund, which is supporting community organisations through the pandemic.

The money can be used to cover three months of bills or to support groups which are helping their community.

Income at Allington House, in Durham city, has dropped in recent weeks. It received the first of Durham AAP’s grants – almost £1,900 to cover its bills for three months.

Durham AAP has also helped cover bills at Newton Hall Community Centre, which is providing extra space for Durham Foodbank as it supports more families, with a grant of £1,700.

Hamsteels Community Association, in Esh Winning, described £1,500 awarded by Mid Durham AAP as 'a lifeline' helping it stay afloat and pay utility bills while shut.

The centre’s treasurer, Councillor Amanda Hopgood, said: “It didn’t take much considering by the trustees of the community partnership that we open our building to Durham Foodbank when it needed space. It has never been more important than it is right now for communities and people to look out for one another and where possible work and support each other.

“Whilst we can’t operate our usual weekly activities it just seemed the right thing to do to allow someone else to use the facilities.

"With the support of the AAP through a grant, it has meant we have been able to ensure we can remain financially viable and keep the centre open and functioning for this much needed service.”

Councillor Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “It’s great that our Covid-19 Assistance Fund is already helping a number of community organisations and I’m sure many more will be helped over the coming weeks. It is so important that they’re able to stay open and be there for their local communities when the restrictions have eased.

“It is also brilliant to see that our community venues are helping the foodbank in the case of Newton Hall. Working together for the benefit of all our residents is exactly what we need to do during these difficult times and we’re all grateful for their work.”

Details about grants via the AAPs are available at durham.gov.uk/AAPS and information about Durham Foodbank can be found at durham.foodbank.org.uk/ or call 0191-3037559.