Good Deeds 2025

Our first Good Deeds winners are Kath Vaulks and Kim Teggery from Durham Alliance for Community Care.

They were nominated by Clare Robinson from Pelton Community Centre:

“The Durham Alliance for Community Care group continue to deliver an outstanding service to our community. Four days a week, members are welcomed into the centre with smiling faces, a wide range of engaging activities, delicious home-cooked meals, a listening ear, and, most importantly, a safe and caring environment to spend their day.

"The group goes above and beyond to make everyone feel included. Regular members are greeted like family, while newcomers are invited to visit with a friend or relative by their side. They’re encouraged to settle in with a warm cuppa, a biscuit, and a friendly chat about their needs and options ensuring they feel completely at ease.

"The team’s enthusiasm shines throughout the year, embracing every occasion with joy and creativity. From Halloween to Christmas, they dive wholeheartedly into seasonal celebrations and community events, bringing energy and connection to everyone who walks through their doors.

"The Durham Alliance for Community Care truly embodies what community spirit is all about kindness, inclusion and compassion in action.”

Kath is a Senior Careworker with the Alliance for 17 years and Kim has been a Careworker with the Alliance for five years.

"I feel proud and touched as well," said Kath "It means so much to know that people appreciate what we're doing. People enjoy it and that's what it's all about really."

Kim added: "It's such an important service. For some members this is their only chance to get out and talk to people. It helps people who are alone to have some social activities. It also helps their carers by providing a bit of respite."

Kath and Kim were both hugely enthusiastic about the work they do:

"It's not like a job. When you see the joy you bring people it means a lot. Kath and I are great friends which makes it great to work here too."

Kath added: "We're so grateful for the Good Deed award and hope it helps us reach more people in the community so they know we are here and how we can support them."

Our second Community Star for 2025 is... June Barnes!

June was nominated b Anna Hogg, who said:
“She volunteered for many years for the Little Treasures charity for autistic children and now volunteers for Inclusive Connections Durhams. She is a heroine for all SEND parents I know and a safe
person to talk to. We would be lost without her!”

We surprised June with her star and £100 shopping voucher at Burnhope Community Centre. She said "Its quite a shock. It's always nice to be recognised for what you do. I'm always here helping out with things like the community pantry and cooking the lunches for the elderly. We've been doing the SEND activities for the kids here one Saturday a month as well. There's lots of activities for the kids and the parents get a chance to meet up and have a cuppa, a chat and relax a bit."

Edmondsley Parish Council was nominated by Avril Hodgson for the outstanding people behind all the work they put in to keeping it going.

“We’re a very small community and haven’t got a lot going for us but with the help of these members who also hold down their own work, they devote putting a lot into the village for children as well as adults.

"This includes summer fun days, Easter parties, Christmas parties, Halloween parties and social evenings plus days out. At a small cost of free of charge. They are a credit to the community.”

The award was collected by Parish Council Chair, Gary Wheatley and Vice Chair, Janet Armstrong (pictured) who were both so happy to receive a Community Star.

Our fifth Community Stars are Richard Lee and Jake David from South Moor Together.

Richard and Jake were nominated by Darren McMahon:
“South Moor Together has proved a brilliant community project bringing people together is a positive way to build on peoples love for the place they live.

"Richie and Jake have been amazing, pulling together a public meeting and developing that into a group of people who commit two hours a week to improving the community of South Moor. The group has also built up a strong working relationship with the police, neighbourhood wardens and other support organisations that has led to South Moor being a safer and nicer place to live.

"Groups of 8-10 people spend six days a week, litter picking, talking to local people, engaging with young people, identifying local issues and generally reminding people that we are stronger together. The teams have collected well over 500 bags of rubbish so far.

"Jake and Richie planned and held their first community event over the summer, a picnic in South Moor Park. They are currently planning a Christmas carol event, working with Greenland School and The Haven Communal Room.

"South Moor Together has also inspired residents to do their own bit to improve the area, the Park Road planters have been cleaned and planted, one resident took on a neglected area in her street, which she cleared of weeds and turned into a lovely planted area. 

"Richie and Jake have shown that community spirit is alive, it may need a lot of organising and help but with the right kind of dedicated efforts a small group of people can grow in number and make a significant and noticeable difference in a once fragmented community.

"They have been titans, ever involved and busy promoting and organising in South Moor and supporting others in the wider Stanley area who have seem the amazing things South Moor Together have achieved and want to duplicate their efforts.”

Richard was also nominated by David Mason (pictured second from the right wearing a hat)

“I am nominating Richard for the outstanding work he has done for the South Moor community over the past five months. Through his dedication and hard work, he has brought our community together, restoring the strong bonds and spirit that had been lost for many years.

"Richard has led efforts to clean our streets, significantly reducing fly-tipping, and has taken real pride in making South Moor a better place to live. Beyond that, he has built valuable partnerships with larger organisations, creating new projects and opportunities that will benefit South Moor for years to come. His passion, commitment and community spirit have truly transformed our village. Richard is an incredible man who deserves recognition for everything he’s done.”

A big well done to Richard and Jake who are clearly making a difference in South Moor.