A NEW umbrella group giving advice and support to voluntary organisations in the Durham area is up and running.

The Durham City and District Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), formed at a recent public meeting, plans to give the 200 or so voluntary organisations in the area valuable back-up.

It plans to help them tap into valuable funding and provide training for their members.

Its first major event will be a "meet the funders'' seminar on Tuesday, September 12, at The Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham, when groups can find out how to apply for money from grant-making trusts and organisations.

CVS development worker Julie Taylor said: "This will be the first big thing we have done as the CVS and we will be working very closely with the Durham Rural Community Council.

"The big thing we'll be looking at in future is training. We are looking to hold funding surgeries in a different locality each month.

"Training could cover things such as filling in successful application forms, legal constitutions, how to start a group, health and safety, equal opportunities and the role of a chairman and treasurer. We may possibly look at running IT workshops as well.

"We are a first-stop shop for anyone within the voluntary sector."

The CVS is seeking charitable status and plans to move from its present base in Framwellgate Moor to North Road, in the city centre, in September.

CVS members so far range from social services to church groups. Groups that have not joined, and those wanting more information about the CVS and its plans, can call Julie Taylor on 0191-383 1944