Partner Article

Over £260,000 allocated in Government fund extension to Point North

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has extended the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund to March 2026. Through this funding, Point North has received a further £260,000 in funding towards 15 projects that are encouraging volunteering and building social connections in County Durham.

County Durham was recognised by Government as having significant levels of deprivation and higher levels of need in terms of civil society and community infrastructure.

Since the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund was launched in January 2023, UK Community Foundations (UKCF) – a national network of place-based community foundations – has delivered up to £14 million of £19 million government funding made available, of which Point North has distributed over £1.1 million to 16 projects. Additionally, Point North was able to contribute a further £136,926 through local match funding.

In April 2025, the Fund was extended until March 2026, with an additional £4.5 million of government funding. Of this £4.5 million, £2.6 million has been awarded to UKCF by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

With its extended allocation of £260,000, Point North, a member of UKCF, will continue supporting existing projects and work with local voluntary networks to implement long-lasting, scalable initiatives that last beyond March 2026.

Continued Know Your Neighbourhood funded projects include:

• Bridge Creative Enterprise CIC
• Foundation of Light
• NE Youth
• Northern Shape T/A Equal Arts
• Stanley Area Youth Consortium
• Teesdale Day Clubs

Michelle Cooper, CEO at Point North said:

“In County Durham, poverty often brings isolation and lost opportunities. The Know Your Neighbourhood Fund has helped local groups change that by opening doors for people to connect, volunteer and feel part of their community. We’ve seen young people at Stanley Area Youth Consortium find purpose, friendships and even gain qualifications, while older residents at Teesdale Day Clubs take part in new activities for the first time.

“This extension means we can keep unlocking resources that bring new opportunities into our communities, helping to build a better today and a brighter tomorrow.”

Emma de Closset, Chief Executive at UKCF, said:

“We are so pleased to be working with the Government to extend support for essential services that build community cohesion. Approaches like volunteering, learning new skills and getting to know our neighbours can make a huge difference to both the individual and local community.

“Community foundations are working with local networks to learn from this important programme in its fourth year and understand how initiatives might lead to a longer-term impact.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Point North .