18/10/19

ATM machine operator Link has established the Community Access to Cash Delivery Fund to tackle concerns that it is becoming harder to access cash, as reported by ITV

The fund is currently worth £1 million, but more money is potentially available in the future.  It comes as recent figures from Which? demonstrate that more than 3,300 bank branches closed between 2015 and 2019.

Members of the public will be able to apply for the fund for a cash point in their village or town. Applications will be judged on the distance to nearest free ATM, the availability of a nearby Post Office and the security of a suggested site.

If there is another free cash machine within 1km within the community and no particular geographical challenges to reaching it, applications may be unlikely to be successful.

03/07/19: Teesdale Area Action Partnership

Opportunities for unemployed people living in the Teesdale area: TAAP Leaflet Oct 18

Boost Your Career: TAAP Leaflet 2018

Wheels 2 Work is a moped-loan scheme which aims to help people access employment, training or education that would otherwise be inaccessible due to poor public transport connections or out-of-hour work patterns.

The project has been funded by a number of Area Action Partnerships in partnership with Durham County Council, in response to a growing need to help local people get to work or college.  The idea behind the scheme is to provide a loan of a moped for 6 months to help people to establish themselves in work and/or training.

Mopeds of either 50cc or 125cc are available to people aged 16+ as long as they have a provisional or full driving licence.  The cost is £25 per week for a 50cc and £30 per week for a 125cc moped,

Riders are provided with brand new protective clothing (helmet, armoured jacket, gloves, waterproof over-trousers and high visibility vest) and a heavy-duty lock, and are also covered for bike insurance, road tax, breakdown cover, as well as regular servicing of the moped. There may be a chance to buy the moped from the scheme at the end of the loan period.

Ace Motorcycles in Pity Me, Durham provides the motorcycle training (also included as part of the scheme) which involves a full day’s Compulsory Basic Training, followed by a 2 hour CBT plus session on a separate day, when clients are provided with additional road time and are issued with their clothing and bike.

Wheels 2  Work County Durham

Bullion Hall

South Approach

Chester-le-Street

County Durham

DH2 2DW

http://www.wheels2workcountydurham.org.uk