Information for the Over 50s
Are you over 50? Do you Live, Work or Visit County Durham?
You may be interested in leisure activities, or becoming a volunteer in your spare time. You might be finding it hard to manage and need some help to stay at home and live a full and independent life. Click on the links below, this page has been designed with you in mind.Community and living in County Durham
Leisure, recreation and learning
Social care and well-being
Finance
Partnership websites
Useful links to external web pages
Community and Living in County Durham
Community Information Online
Includes information from childcare to youth groups, from choirs to social care. It includes countywide, regional and national information - all relevant to people who live and work in County Durham.
Voluntary organisations and community groups
Information for and about community and voluntary groups in County Durham. We support local organisations, community groups and clubs in a number of ways and we can help you get in touch with local, regional and national groups.
Directions
Directions is part of Durham County Council's Adult and Community Service, providing free and confidential information services dealing with matters relating to family, health, disability or social problems to the people of County Durham.
Leisure, Recreation and Learning
Libraries in County Durham
Your library offers a huge range of services for you and your family to enjoy. Find out about the services offered in your local library, many of which are free.
Adult education
Education doesn't stop when you leave school. As we get older, as technology speeds up, as the world of work changes, we all benefit from refreshing ourselves with some education whether we are 18 or 80.
Durham County Record Office
The Record Office is responsible for collecting and preserving the archives of people and organisations in County Durham and Darlington.
Bishop Auckland Town Hall - EvergreensThe Evergreens group of over 50’s meet most Wednesdays 10:30am – 3:30pm in term time, see our programme for details.
Museums and galleries
See links to a number of museums and galleries in County Durham including Binchester Roman Fort, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, the DLI Museum, Durham Art Gallery and Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum.
Arts development
Durham County Council’s Arts Development team, is responsible for co-ordinating grant funding, activities, projects and events across the county. The programme is managed in conjunction with a range of partners including Arts Council England, North East and the district councils.
Parks and open spaces
We have a variety of information on countryside, county parks, nature reserves and other open spaces. Find out more about beaches, picnic areas, reservoirs and woodlands in the area and how our ranger service assists with the public’s access to, and enjoyment of the environment around them.
Countryside
County Durham has some of the country’s most beautiful countryside. It includes areas of special designation such as the reclaimed Durham Heritage Coast in the east, the wild North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the west and the Great North Forest in the north.
Country parks
Further information on Hardwick Hall, Pow Hill and Waldridge Fell Country Parks.
Durham Dales
External website providing information for visitors, residents and businesses in the Durham Dales area.
Walking and cycling
Providing general information on cycling and details of local resources, routes and maps.
Leisure centres and swimming pools
Listings of facilities available across the County.
Tourism and travel
Travel and tourism information relating to the County Durham area, including details of holidays and breaks for disabled people and educational visits. Our 'County Durham ePostcards' let you see various scenes from around the area and send local images to your friends and family.
Social Care and Well-Being
Older people
The Council's services have been developed to help you get the most out of life. If you are able to stay in your own home we can offer advice and support to help you. These may include help at home or the opportunity to meet new friends at one of our day centres. For some people staying at home is not an option, so we can help arrange accommodation for you. Whatever your circumstances we want to help you live as independently as possible.
National Service Framework for Older People
The National Service Framework for Older People, developed in 2001, is the first ever-comprehensive strategy to ensure fair, high quality, integrated health and social care services for older people.
Social Care Direct
Social Care Direct is a dedicated team of officers who are your first point of contact if you feel you need help from our social care services.
Supporting people providers
Supporting People is a national policy initiative led by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), developed over a five-year period, which went live on the 1 April 2003 aimed at providing 'housing related support' to people who needed help to find appropriate accommodation, to settle into stable accommodation, to learn to live independently or simply to maintain their current circumstances in their daily lives.
Access bus
The Access Bus scheme caters for people who have problems getting out and about. How old you are or whether or not you receive a services from the council does not affect your entitlement.
Adaptations to your home
If you have a severe disability, you may feel that you need some adaptations or alterations to your home. In this case, an occupational therapist would need to visit you to carry out a special assessment of your needs, to determine what would be best for you.
Car badge scheme
The Blue Car Badge Scheme is a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers, and people who are registered blind.
Choosing residential accommodation and 'Third Party Top Ups'
If you are no longer able to live independently then you can choose to live in a residential home. We can find a home that is right for your needs.
County Durham Access Directory
The County Durham Access Directory helps people with mobility problems use bus and train services, and offers those people who cannot use bus and train services useful information and guidance on available alternatives, such as County Durham Care's Access Bus.
Day care
Further information about what day services we can offer.
Equipment to help with daily living
There is a variety of equipment available to help with every day tasks. We can advise you on what to buy that will meet your needs.
Home Equipment Loans Service
We can put you in touch with a specialist organisation who can loan you equipment to help you regain your independence.
Extra Care
Extra Care is a combination of specially designed housing and 24 hour care and support developed to offer older people and disabled people over the age of 55 an alternative to moving into a care home.
Paying for social care and health services
Details charges, including reasons for charging and lists chargeable services.
Residential accommodation
If you are unable to manage at home we can help to arrange long term residential or nursing care. Throughout County Durham there are lots of residential and nursing homes providing a supportive and caring home.
Transport services for the disabled
For many people, getting to use services is a major problem. We run an in-house transport service, specifically for people who are disabled and have problems getting around.
Working together to protect vulnerable adults from abuse
Do you suspect a neighbour; friend or member of your family is being abused? Or are you being abused? Please help us to prevent adult abuse; you can do this by contacting us or the Police at any time, 365 days a year.
Carer support
A carer is someone who looks after a relative, partner or friend who needs support for reasons relating to age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness. Many people who are carers do not see themselves as such because, first and foremost, they may be husbands, wives, partners, parents, siblings or friends. However, by providing care and support they are in fact "carers" and, therefore, have rights.
Disabilities
More information about disabilities and access, equipment, employment, training and support.
Easy Guide to Fair Access to Care
To make sure that we spend our money fairly the Government developed Fair Access to Care which means that everyone who needs social care services is treat fairly and consistently.
Home Independence Service
This service can give you advice and help you purchase aids and equipment.
Finance
County Durham Concessionary Travel Scheme
Eligible residents of County Durham can apply for the County Durham Concessionary Travel Permit. The permit is available to men or women aged 60 or more, and also to adults of any age who are blind or have other disabilities that affect their mobility.
Factsheets - Retirement Pension
Welfare Rights - Benefit Rates
Council Tax and Budget 2007-2008
Partnership Websites
Durham Connects Information Page
Durham Connects is a website which links to local councils and public sector organisations to provide seamless access to information on a wide range of services available in County Durham.
Links to External Websites
Over 50s on direct.gov.uk
Further links to information and advice on the Government's website.
Community Legal Service
If you live in England or Wales and want free high-quality legal information to help you deal with your legal problems, Community Legal Service Direct (CLS Direct) can help.
Health for the Over 50s
Pages on the BBC website relating to well-being for the Over 50s with topics such as Nutrition, Fitness, Copy with Retirement and Becoming a Grandparent.
Age Concern
The UK's largest charity working with and for older people.
Age Exchange
Valuing the past, building for the future.
www.age-net.co.uk
Website containing information for the Over 50s on lifestyle, health, arts, entertainment, pets and business.
Durham and Chester-le-Street Alzheimer's Society
Do you live in Durham, Chester-le-Street or the surrounding villages and look after someone who is confused and forgetful due to dementia? If the answer is yes - we are here to help you.
Silver Surfers
Directory website aiming to help Over 50s get the best from the internet.
