SWD News

06/06/2026

From fighting the town to top of the town: Billy McAloon's journey from ordinary citizen to Mayor of Spennymoor.

05/06/2026

A Durham county councillor and Bishop Auckland town councillor has resigned from Reform UK to become an independent.

03/06/2026

Chilton Miners Recreation Ground Welfare Charity Trust (supported by Heritage Lottery Fund) is inviting you to join something special this National .

Chilton Miners Recreation Ground Welfare Charity Trust is inviting you to join something special this National Volunteers Week.

02/06/2026

Dear Editor,

As the country marks National Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June), I would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of St John Ambulance volunteers who give their time to support their communities. Whether providing first aid at public events, responding to emergencies or helping to train others, their commitment ensures that help is there when it matters most.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and contribute in many different ways. Alongside those delivering frontline care, others support youth programmes, lead local Networks, provide logistical and administrative support, or help raise funds to sustain our work. Each plays a part in strengthening the resilience of communities and building the confidence of others to act in an emergency.

We are always keen to welcome new volunteers and there are opportunities across the country for people to get involved, including as Emergency Responders, Community First Aiders, Youth Leaders, Trainers, Community Volunteers and support volunteers. Those who join us now will be part of our continuing work as we prepare to mark St John Ambulance’s 150th anniversary next year.

For those who may not wish to volunteer, donations are also vital in helping us train and equip our teams and reach more people with lifesaving skills. To find out more about volunteering or supporting St John Ambulance, please visit www.sja.org.uk.

Yours faithfully,
Kevin Munday, Chief Commissioner, St John Ambulance

01/06/2026

Dear Editor,

As we mark Volunteers’ Week (1–7 June 2026), I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the outstanding volunteers whose dedication and commitment are vital to the work of RNID. Their time, skills and compassion make a real difference to the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Through our community activities across the UK, around 600 incredible RNID volunteers take part in a diverse range of activities, helping us make life fully inclusive for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.

Our dedicated volunteers not only provide hearing aid maintenance, information on hearing loss and tinnitus at our RNID Near You drop-in sessions across the country, they also act as ambassadors by giving talks to local groups and organisations, helping to raise awareness of our work.

Over the past year alone, RNID volunteers have given more than 18,000 hours of their time, helping us to reach more than 47,000 people across the UK – which is a truly remarkable achievement, and we sincerely thank them for their invaluable contribution.

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re inviting anyone who wants to make a valuable difference to the lives of people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus to sign up to volunteer with us by visiting rnid.org.uk/volunteer.

Yours sincerely,
Victoria Owen, Head of Development and Volunteering, RNID

31/05/2026

The magic of Christmas is set to return to Weardale Railway this winter, as the much-loved Santa Express welcomes families back for a festive experience running from 28 November to 24 December.

31/05/2026

Over 11,600 noise complaints were registered by councils across the North East last year, with Durham, Newcastle, and Gateshead taking the top spots.

31/05/2026

The major redevelopment of Durham’s Prince Bishops Shopping Centre is set to be approved.

31/05/2026

Great Big Green Week, the UK's only mass moment for nature and climate, runs from 6 to 14 June 2026. This year's theme is Together for Good, and communities across the UK will be coming together to celebrate, take action and show that the small things we do alongside each other really do add up.

Great Big Green Week, the UK's only mass moment for nature and climate, runs from 6 to 14 June 2026.

31/05/2026

Do you volunteer in a hospital, visit patients on the wards, or host a hospital radio show? Or did you volunteer in the past?

A Newcastle University research project is looking for healthcare volunteers active any time from the 1970s onwards to give oral history interviews!

A Newcastle University research project is looking for healthcare volunteers active any time from the 1970s onwards to give oral history interviews!