Tees Valley Rural Action

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Mike 🌟

Each week we'll be showcasing one of the fantastic volunteers who helps support our communities.

This week, we're celebrating Mike, one of our volunteer drivers, who is also running the Great North Run in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

Support Mike's fundraising here: 👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/mike-darbyshire-5?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_launched

👏 Thank you, Mike! 💚💛

🌟 Meet the Members: TeesstrHive CIC 💚 StrHive

This week we're shining a spotlight on TeesstrHive CIC, a community interest company dedicated to supporting young people and families across Teesside. Through family support, social groups, outdoor learning opportunities, and one-to-one mentoring, they create safe, inclusive spaces where children and young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and thrive. Their work plays an important role in strengthening families, promoting wellbeing, and building stronger communities.

🚌 Tees Valley Rural Action is proud to support TeesstrHive through our Community Transport Scheme. This week, our minibuses were used to transport young people and families on a trip to the Danby Moors Centre, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, learn more about the local environment, and spend quality time together. Experiences like these help encourage confidence, connection, and wellbeing. 💚

📣 Find out more about TeesstrHive CIC:
👉 https://www.teesstrhivecic.co.uk/

💚 Learn more about our Community Transport Scheme:
👉 www.teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk/community-transport/

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🌟 Meet the Members: East Cleveland Good Neighbours - Community Support - The Bread and Butter Thing 💚

This week we're shining a spotlight on East Cleveland Good Neighbours, a community organisation supporting residents across East Cleveland through food support, advice, and community initiatives. Their work helps people access practical support and stay connected within their local communities.

🚌 Tees Valley Rural Action is proud to support East Cleveland Good Neighbours with community transport where needed. Last week, one of our minibuses helped transport local residents from Lingdale Village Hall to collect food and essentials from The Bread and Butter Thing, ensuring transport wasn't a barrier to accessing support. 💚

📣 Find out more about East Cleveland Good Neighbours: 👉 on their page East Cleveland Good Neighbours - Community Support

💚 Learn more about our Community Transport Scheme: 👉 www.teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk/community-transport/

🌟 Looking to develop your skills and support your local community?

As the ACRE Network's regional member for the Tees Valley, we're delighted to share this fantastic training opportunity. It's a great chance to learn, connect with others, and gain practical knowledge that can benefit your organisation and community.

Take a look at the poster for all the details and how to get involved.

📢 Upcoming Changes to DBS Regulations – What Voluntary Organisations Need to Know

From 1 September 2026, changes to the law around regulated activity with children will come into effect.

The current exemption that allows some paid staff and volunteers carrying out certain activities with children to be excluded from regulated activity when they are under supervision will be removed. This means that some people who were not previously considered to be in regulated activity may now fall within the definition if they carry out the work frequently or overnight.

To help organisations understand the changes and what they could mean in practice, the DBS Regional Outreach Team is hosting a series of free online information sessions:

🔹 Voluntary Sector
📅 Tuesday 8 September | ⏰ 2pm to 3pm
Register: https://tinyurl.com/5bmhp9rj

🔹 Faith Sector
📅 Thursday 10 September | ⏰ 1pm to 2pm
Register: https://tinyurl.com/38swwamn

🔹 Education Sector
📅 Friday 11 September | ⏰ 9am to 10am
Register: https://tinyurl.com/45unwpkw

🔹 All Sectors: What Does It Mean for My Organisation?
📅 Wednesday 16 September | ⏰ 2:15pm to 3:15pm
Register: https://tinyurl.com/47db2fdf

If your organisation works with vulnerable communities, these sessions are a valuable opportunity to understand the changes and ensure you're prepared.

🌟 Meet the Transport Members: Linthorpe WI 🌸

This week we're shining a spotlight on Linthorpe WI (Women's Institute), a friendly and welcoming group that brings people together through friendship, learning, creativity, and community involvement. As part of the wider Women's Institute movement, Linthorpe WI provides opportunities for members to develop new skills, hear from guest speakers, enjoy social activities, and build lasting friendships within the local community.

🤝 Linthorpe WI offers a varied programme of activities throughout the year, including workshops, crafts, guest speakers, outings, and community events. The group also runs a monthly Chatty Café, providing a welcoming space for people to come together for conversation and companionship. ☕🌷

🚌 As a member of TVRA's Community Transport Scheme, Linthorpe WI can access affordable and accessible transport for group visits, social outings, and events, helping members stay active, connected, and engaged with their community. 🚐✨

📍 Last week, members enjoyed a wonderful day out using one of our minibuses, starting with a visit to Barnard Castle Market before continuing on to the beautiful Raby Castle and its grounds. Trips like these give members the opportunity to spend time together, explore local attractions, and enjoy new experiences while making lasting memories. 🏰🌳

👏 A special thank you to our volunteer driver, who generously gave up their time to make the trip possible. Our volunteer drivers are at the heart of what we do, helping community groups travel safely and comfortably to destinations across the region. Without their dedication and support, many of these valuable outings simply wouldn't be possible. Thank you for helping ensure Linthorpe WI had such a fantastic day out. 💚🙌

🚐 Interested in becoming a volunteer driver? We're always keen to hear from people who would like to support local community groups and help residents stay connected. If you enjoy meeting people and would like to make a real difference in your community, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch to find out more about volunteering with our Community Transport Scheme. 💚

📣 Interested in finding out more about Linthorpe WI? Visit their website at http://linthorpewi.weebly.com or follow their page to see what they've been up to.

💚 Or, if you'd like to learn more about our Community Transport Scheme, get in touch!

👉 www.teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk/community-transport/

💧 Could Your Redcar & Cleveland Village Hall, community venue or Business Become a Hydration Station? 💧

You may have seen Public Health South Tees recent campaign encouraging people to make use of local Hydration Stations. Now they're inviting community venues, businesses and organisations across Redcar & Cleveland to join the network.

We're particularly keen to hear from village halls and community buildings that would like to get involved.

Becoming a Hydration Station is simple. During your normal opening hours, you agree to offer free tap water refills to members of the public when reasonably practical. It's a small gesture that can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors, while also helping to reduce single-use plastic waste.
✅ Free to join
✅ No complex requirements
✅ Listed on an online Hydration Station map
✅ Demonstrates your commitment to supporting your community
✅ Supports health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability

If your village hall or community venue would like to become a Hydration Station, contact Public Health South Tees or ourselves and we will send you the information pack

Let's work together to make it easier for everyone to stay hydrated while out and about in our communities.

Did you know we’re launching Hydration Stations across South Tees?
You can pop in for a free water refill at participating locations, helping you stay hydrated during warmer weather. ☀️

Keep an eye out for the sticker in local windows!

Local businesses: want to get involved? It’s free, simple and a great way to support your community.

📩 Email [email protected] to sign up.
Or, for a full list of local places taking part, please visit the Public Health South Tees website 👉https://www.publichealthsouthtees.co.uk/healthy-communities-in-south-tees

🌟 Meet the Transport Members: Youth Focus North East 🚍

This week we're shining a spotlight on Youth Focus North East, an independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people across the North East through high-quality youth work. 💙 Established in 1989, they support young people and the organisations that work with them, helping to create opportunities for personal growth, wellbeing, and positive futures.

🤝 Youth Focus North East delivers a range of youth services, including youth centres, outreach and community-based activities, alongside programmes that focus on employability, mental health and wellbeing, social action, and reducing isolation among young people. They also play a key role in supporting and connecting youth organisations across the region. 🌱✨

🚌 As a member of TVRA's Community Transport Scheme, Youth Focus North East can access affordable and accessible transport to help young people attend activities, events, training opportunities, and community projects, ensuring they can make the most of the opportunities available to them.

📍 Most recently, they used one of our minibuses last week as part of their Uplift Project, travelling to Durham to discuss how young people's services can be developed and improved. It's great to see our transport helping organisations bring young people together and ensuring their voices are heard. 🙌💬

📣 Interested in finding out more about Youth Focus North East? Visit their website at www.youthfocusne.org.uk.

💚 Or, if you'd like to learn more about our Community Transport Scheme, get in touch!
👉 www.teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk/community-transport/

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Apply now!

Grassroots Grants, delivered in partnership with Postcode Lottery, offers unrestricted funding of up to £2,000 to small organisations across England making a positive difference in their communities.

If your organisation supports your community's mental health and promotes wellbeing through community-driven activities and initiatives, you could receive funding of up to £2,000 to make a vital difference.

Applications are open to eligible voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, and CICs with an annual turnover under £25,000.

Applications close September 2026.

To learn more and apply, visit us here: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/grassroots-grants/