In her monthly column, Barbara Gubbins, chief executive of the County Durham Community Foundation, reflects on the debate generated by David Cameron’s Big Society concept and how different sectors of the community are embracing it, or otherwise.

THIS month, County Durham Community Foundation has hosted a women’s lunch at the Radisson hotel, in Durham City.

It was the second year the lunch had been held by the foundation, to promote local philanthropy among professional and influential women from across the North-East.

There were other subliminal messages that the community foundation wanted to portray, including opportunities for women and what they can achieve. It also raised awareness of Big Society topics, such as volunteering and social enterprise.

However, this is only one target audience that the foundation is reaching out to with messages about our work.

County Durham Community Foundation now has an events calendar that touches all sectors of County Durham and Darlington – to inform, support, recognise and stimulate ideas that will create partnerships and collaborations.

One sure outcome of the Big Society ideal is that it has created debate, and I am very encouraged by the willingness to look at how it is already working and how it can be strengthened and developed in our area.

I have had several meetings over the past 12 months with players from all sectors, who are scratching their heads as to how to do things differently and together.

Everyone is looking at streamlining, restructuring, cutbacks and potential redundancies, how to join forces and with who, and how to make things simpler and achieve more.

Through our work, matching up those who want to give back to those who are in most need, the foundation has relationships with all sectors of the community and our trustees are looking closely at how we can make them more meaningful – for the groups and the donors.

However, I have noticed – over several cups of tea – that there is a real appetite to shore each other up at this time. A growing feeling of “we’re in this together” and “we will survive” – a typical North-East sentiment.

We will hold events over the next 12 months, working with other sectors to benefit the community and create platforms for new ideas to be developed. So watch this space. It’s amazing what you can come up with over a cup of tea!

􀁧 County Durham Community Foundation promotes lasting charitable giving by bringing together donors with their chosen causes, through welltargeted grants that make a genuine difference to the lives of local people.

For more information visit cdcf.org.uk, phone 0191-378- 6340 or visit Barbara Gubbins’ blog here.