EFFORTS to establish a new umbrella organisation for voluntary groups in the Durham City area have taken a major step forward.

A constitution has now been agreed for a Council for Voluntary Services for Durham, which is one of only two districts in the county not to have such a body.

The need for setting up a CVS has been recognised for several years and a local One Voice Network steering group has been working in partnership with the Standing Conference for Voluntary Organisations to get one established.

Now a day-long event has been planned to bring together voluntary and community organisations in the district, to be held at the Nevilles Cross centre of Durham New College on Wednesday, May 3.

The day will include presentations on the benefits of having a CVS, describing the support and advice it can offer to individual groups, and a series of workshops.

One Voice Network development worker Julie Taylor said they had taken the development of CVS to the stage where the need for the organisation had been established, support gained from the statutory sector and premises were being investigated.

A bid for National Lottery funding worth £240,000 over three years is also being prepared to cover core costs including wages and premises.

She said: "To establish a fully functional CVS in the district we now need the support from voluntary and community organisations. Ownership of CVS needs to be transferred from the One Voice Network to them and the event on May 3 is intended to raise awareness of this.

"A CVS cannot happen without the support of those who it exists to serve."

Anyone wanting more details should contact Julie Taylor on (0191) 383 1944.

l Also the CVS in Chester-le-Street wants to develop a bank of volunteers with a variety of skills and experience to work as and when needed.

If you are interested then go along to the Volunteer Centre, Terrace Street, behind Boyes, and speak to Mel or Linda. They can be e-mailed on chesterlestreet.cvs