News

News

COMPANY UPDATE
15th April 2024

We are delighted to announce that we have secured work nationally across the prison estate in partnership with Practice Plus Group.

We are looking forward to delivering a number of different programmes that will help to support a great many people serving a custodial sentence.

A huge thanks to Michael McGonnell the Regional Director for the North for Practice Plus Group for giving us the opportunity. We look forward to working in partnership and making a positive impact.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM!

10th April 2024


A HUGE welcome to Vicky and Frances the newest members of our Positive Directions N.E. team!


We are so happy to have you both here as part of our PDNE family

Wishing you both the very best in your new roles!


HAPPY EASTER!
31st March 2024

Wishing you all a Happy Easter from the team at Positive Directions N.E.  💛

FORUM MEETING

20th March 2024


The team were delighted to attend the Non-Commissioned Supported Housing Forum today in Spennymoor.

As always it's great to meet with the Durham County Council team, members of the SHIP (Supported Housing Improvement Programme) team, and other supported housing providers in the county, to network and discuss collaborative working.


Our CEO Gary Crooks shared his inspirational journey, the story of Positive Directions N.E. and the creation of our supported housing provision. Also giving an update about our work in prisons across the country and our continued commitment to #makingadifference.


We were so proud of our tenant Billy who was also invited to share his story today with the forum. A true example of the impact of lived experience and a real inspiration to us all. Billy has experienced trauma, battled addiction and a life of criminality to turn his life around and is already showing great promise and commitment to helping and giving hope to others.


Happy Wednesday indeed!

UNIT 65
12th March 2024

Introducing Positive Directions N.E.’s new initiative Unit 65.

Unit 65 offers boxing, martial arts, and keep fit classes for both adults and children aswell as support with mental health, trauma and holistic recovery.

Access to the unit not only has health benefits but helps to tackle social isolation, offers support for those with complex needs, and gives our tenants a place to spend time and engage with others.  

All our tenants have free Unit 65 membership!

Any money generated from Unit 65 will be reinvested back into the unit and to help those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, providing food and clothing aswell as information and guidance.

We would like to thank the following people for their time, support and dedication:
All the staff at Positive Directions N.E.  for their passion and professionalism in the support of our tenants and their belief in our vision.

Head Boxing Coach Lee Patterson for all his hard work with the structure of the unit and offering his free time and tireless dedication to training the adults and children that attend.

Bobby Whitton at BT Core Fitness for his wonderful work and positive impact as an instructor at the unit.
Holmes and Bailey for their unwavering support and investment.

Creative Business Park  for allowing us to transform the unit.

The numerous contractors that gave their free time to set up the unit and to make Unit 65 a reality, and finally to all the amazing people that have accessed the unit so far, none of this would be possible without you 💙💚

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

8th March 2024


Today we celebrate the incredible achievements of women around the world. 


It is also a day to recognise our amazing female colleagues and their invaluable contribution to our team.


To our whole team at Positive Directions N.E. - CIC thank you for going above and beyond every day, we appreciate you all 💙💚

DREAM TEAM
7th March 2024

So thankful for our wonderful staff and our valued partnership with Holmes and Bailey 💚

#PDNE #makingadifference

"HOME ISN'T A PLACE, IT'S A FEELING"

5th March 2024


We have been so happy to welcome new tenants to our Supported Housing provision over the past couple of weeks.



Both Positive Directions N.E. and Holmes and Bailey are so fortunate to be able to provide a person with a home where they can feel safe and supported, providing them with a foundation to move forward positively into the next chapter of their lives.


What a privilege.


Overcoming challenges and barriers can be hard, but our tenants make us proud every day and prove what can be achieved with an extra helping hand.


POSITIVE 4 PEOPLE
14th February 2024

Today we welcomed some of our tenants to take part in our Positive 4 People programme.

This bespoke holistic programme was designed to nurture individuals and to help build tenant's resilience, raise their self-esteem and confidence, and maximise their personal potential.

We are so proud of those who took part today and had the courage to share their journeys. Sharing that lived experience has a huge impact on others, we definitely have some future support workers in our midst! 

Looking forward to the next one!

PRISON DELIVERY

13th February 2024


We are delighted with the delivery so far of our Positive Impact sessions in HMP Durham, HMP Holme House and HMYOI Deerbolt, led by our CEO Gary Crooks and Criminal Justice Lead Tom Batty. 

8 sessions delivered so far!


We are also looking forward to the next sessions of The Hope Project to be delivered in prisons across the country in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and Rethink Mental Illness, following a successful first session in HMP Hull in January.



The feedback from the groups has been so positive and our CEO Gary has received many letters already from those that attended. We hope to be a source of support to those during their sentence and upon release to help them move forward with their lives.

WE ARE HIRING!
29th January 2024

Are you seeking an exciting new opportunity?

Positive Directions N.E. are looking for a Housing Support Officer.

If you have any experience of working in a challenging and rewarding environment this may be the job for you!

To apply please visit https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=787bc186efad2c7d 

Deadline – Friday 9th February 2024 at 5pm.

HOPE

18th January 2024


The Positive Directions N.E. team were delighted to begin delivery in HMP Hull this week, led by our CEO Gary Crooks, Criminal Justice Lead Tom Batty and Operations Director Kelly Mennear.


Over the coming months the team will be delivering sessions for The Hope Project in prisons across the country alongside partners from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and Rethink Mental Illness.


We were delighted with the overwhelming positive response and feedback from those that attended this first session of its kind.

A huge thank you to the commissioner, our partners, prison governors and prison staff who helped make this happen.


Looking forward to the next one at HMP Humber!

WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN!
31st December 2023

To our lovely tenants, it has been amazing to see the progress you have made this year, there have been ups and downs but you always try hard and strive for positive change. You are all doing so incredibly well and we are so proud of you.

We also want to take a moment to thank our incredible staff for all your hard work, passion and dedication throughout the year. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful team of people working for PDNE.

To our followers across all of our social media platforms. Thank you for supporting us this year, we appreciate each and every one of you for showing the love for our tenants, staff and the work we do.

Here's to 2024, we are excited to continue working together to build a bright future for our tenants, partners, organisations and communities that we work with.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year from all the team at Positive Directions N.E!

CHRISTMAS CALLS!

28th December 2023


The support team have been busy today visiting our tenants across Durham.


It's so nice to see our lovely tenants as always and see that everyone is doing okay over the festive period.

The team enjoyed some top notch hospitality too! Thank you.






MERRY CHRISTMAS
25th December 2023

Gary, Kelly and all the team at Positive Directions N.E. - CIC would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful time.

Remember those important numbers from our earlier post if you need any support during the festive period #itsoknottofeelmerry 

💙💚

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE

24th December 2023


Our tenants have been getting into the Christmas spirit with lots of festive fun, hamper deliveries and a few cheeky selfies with our team!


We are loving their decorations and Christmas trees too. Amazing Effort everyone!





CHRISTMAS DELIVERIES!
19th December 2023

Christmas Deliveries 🎁

We are very thankful to have such wonderful tenants in our provision, who try so hard and have made such incredible progress this year.

We're so pleased you like your food hampers, our PD elves still have lots more deliveries to make this week!

CHRISTMAS HAMPER TIME!

18th December 2023


Christmas Hamper time!


We love spending time together every year as a team to prepare a little something for our tenants at Christmas time.


The Positive Directions N.E. team have been hard at work preparing our yearly food hampers to deliver to our tenants to make sure they have some meals ready for the festive period.


We know Christmas can be a very difficult time of year for many and not everyone has that festive feeling, but we want our tenants to know that we are there not only to support them, but to make sure there's something in the cupboard, one less thing to worry about!


We hope you enjoy your hampers!



CHRISTMAS DO!
1st December 2023

A fabulous night for our team Christmas party ❤️🎄🥂

Huge thanks to our amazing staff who go above and beyond every day! 


PRISON WORK

22nd November 2023


Huge well done to our tenant Billy who was instrumental in the delivery of today's training session at HMYOI Deerbolt, alongside our CEO Gary and Criminal Justice Lead Tom.


Billy shared some of his journey today as part of our Positive 4 People programme, which was really well received and inspiring to those currently serving sentences within the prison.


HAPPY FRIYAY!
17th November 2023

Another beautiful home made ready by our fab team for a move in today.

To our lovely new tenant - Welcome Home ❤️🏠

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.


NEW HOME DAY!

2nd November 2023


"There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home" ~ Rosalynn Carter



Our team worked so hard (as always!) preparing another one of our properties ready to welcome a tenant last week. Such a beautiful home to be proud of.




INVESTING IN OUR TEAM
17th October 2023

Huge congratulations to our lovely team members Naomi Buckland who has been promoted to Support Supervisor, and Courtney Gregory who has been elevated to Operations Manager within Positive Directions N.E. 

Both make a huge contribution to the day to day running of our provision and we know they will continue to strive and exceed expectations in their new roles.

Wishing you both well in your new positions!

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

10th October 2023


Today is World Mental Health Day.


A day to talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters.


It's also a day to let people know that it's okay to ask for help, no matter what you're going through.



Our amazing team are wearing their green ribbon pins to show their support for World Mental Health Day today, and everyday!



POSITIVE IMPACT
27th September 2023

We were delighted to begin delivery of our Positive Impact sessions in HMP Durham today, led by our CEO Gary Crooks and Criminal Justice Lead Tom Batty.

It has been fantastic to be back in the training room and we are so happy with the feedback received already from those that attended.

Looking forward to the next session in HMYOI Deerbolt next month. 

NEW PARTNERSHIP

26th September 2023


We are delighted to announce the brand new partnership of Positive Directions N.E. and Holmes and Bailey.


https://holmesandbailey.com


Our collaboration with Holmes and Bailey is a significant and exciting development, providing quality housing, sustainable living and exceptional support to the tenants in our provision.


Holmes and Bailey have a wealth of experience and knowledge in acquiring and developing property for social and supported housing, and have an important mission to eradicate rough sleeping in the UK.


Together, we are committed to making a difference and in combining our expertise and resources, we aim to unlock the full potential of providing support to vulnerable individuals and wider communities, fostering growth, resilience, and prosperity for all.

MEETING THE PCC FOR CLEVELAND
17th August 2023

Our CEO Gary and Director of Operations Kelly were delighted to welcome the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland Steve Turner, to our Durham office today.

A really productive meeting to discuss some collaborative working and potential projects.

Very exciting times ahead!



MEET THE TEAM

11th August 2023


Meet our amazing Housing Support Officers Carly, Paul and Bev! 


Every department in our company is integral to its success and we are very proud that all members of our team are passionate and dedicated to #makingadifference, but the support we offer is by far the most important part of our provision here at PDNE. 

Our 'fab three' help and assist our tenants to maintain their tenancy and take those important steps to move forward in their lives.


Bev, Paul and Carly have a holistic approach to their roles, developing an individual support package for each tenant to nurture and support them, to help develop their skills, raise their confidence and self-esteem, and give them the best chance of maintaining positive change and succeeding with their goals.


Thank you for your hard work and contribution to Positive Directions N.E. - CIC we couldn't do it without you!



MEET THE TEAM
8th August 2023

Meet Russell our Property & Maintenance Manager!

Russ is our 'one man band' and looks after everything from repairs and compliance to tenant move-ins and property inspections. Our resident 'mover and shifter' we keep him on his toes! 

Thank you for all your hard work and contribution to Positive Directions N.E. - CIC we couldn't do it without you!


MEET THE TEAM

21st July 2023


Meet Naomi, Courtney and Julia from our Admin Team!


These lovely ladies are instrumental in the running of our Durham office, looking after admin covering support, property, finance and maintenance.


Thank you for all your hard work and contribution to Positive Directions N.E. - CIC we couldn't do it without you!


The new look Positive Directions N.E.
21st June 2023

A huge thank you to our amazing staff for your continued hard work and dedication. We are very lucky to have such a fantastic team who are passionate about helping people and #makingadifference.

Lots of exciting things coming up for Positive Directions N.E. CIC in the coming months.

Like or Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn for all the updates! 💙

Sky News

11th October 2022


We were so very proud of our fantastic tenants for bravely sharing their stories on a special report for Sky News on Friday evening.


Also, our wonderful staff who go above and beyond everyday, who were also featured in interviews with Sky News Home Editor Jason Farrell.


Click the link below to read the special report:


https://news.sky.com/story/north-south-divide-in-opioid-and-painkiller-prescribing-with-high-use-in-englands-most-deprived-areas-12706821


The passing of Queen Elizabeth II
8th September 2022

We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Rest in peace Ma'am.





"Its worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."
Queen Elizabeth II

Amazing Feedback

24th August 2022


We received this lovely thank you card and chocolates from one of our tenants. 


Thank you so much!

Well Done Erin!
10th August 2022

Our tenant Erin with our CEO Gary after she completed her Level 2 Drugs and Alcohol Awareness course. 

Made possible through PDNE and cross-agency collaboration with the Azra Kemal Legacy Project.

Ready Steady Cook!

1st August 2022


As part of our tenant support package we help tenants with budgeting and cooking for themselves. Sadiqul had some cooking lessons from our housing support officers today. 


If you need this kind of support, contact us on our Contact Us page.

COMPANY UPDATE
30th March 2021

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Debbie Dorans on board as a Director, she has already made a valuable contribution to Positive Directions N.E. and we look forward to working with her to further strengthen our CIC.

Happy Tenants
December 2019

Father Christmas came early to deliver some much needed food hampers to the tenants that we support at PDNEHomes.

 

Merry Christmas!

Allotment Progress
November 2019

Our community allotment in Bearpark is coming along nicely after the great work by Groundwork NE & Cumbria and our learners.

Still plenty to do and alot of interest from our DurhamWorks young people to get involved!

Our very first house!
September 2019

This is a big milestone for PDNE with more houses on the way.

PDNE provides supported housing for male or females aged 18+ across County Durham. We accept self referrals and referrals from other organisations.

Check out our Supported Housing page for more information.  A referral form can be downloaded from our home page and emailed to us for consideration!

Positive Directions N.E. Homes
July 2019

In response to the huge volume of requests for our help and support in finding and sustaining a good home, we are delighted to announce that we now have our very own SUPPORTED HOUSING company!

Positive Directions N.E. Homes will provide:
- Top quality accommodation.
- Access to support programmes.
- Work experience or volunteering opportunities.
- Advice on cooking on a budget, money management, emergency first aid and hygiene sessions.
- 8 sessions of our award winning programme, ‘Positive 4 People’ focusing on raising self-esteem, developing confidence, building emotional resilience and maximising personal potential.

We are very excited about our new venture and proud to offer further help and a safe and secure home to those in need.

For more information please contact us on 0191 3077130 or send us a contact form and we will call you back!

Private Landlords
July 2019

We are delighted to announce that Positive Directions N.E. - CIC is now an accredited member of the Durham County Council Private Landlord Accreditation Scheme!

Exciting and busy times ahead for our community interest company as we branch out and find new ways to help people across County Durham.

Creative Spaces
June 2019

Our handyman team were delighted to install this fantastic display of artwork at Annfield Plain Junior School last week.

A lot of time and effort must have gone into this - Just amazing!

Well done everyone!

Allotment Progress
June 2019


We are chuffed to bits with the progress so far at our community allotment! 

The Groundwork NE & Cumbria team and learners are doing a sterling job transforming the space as part of their 'Creating Better Places' iniative and the chickens will soon have a fancy hen home!

Super School Visits
May 2019

We have been delighted to be asked to visit primary schools across County Durham with Elizabus - our Great British Bus 

Our Great British Tea Party has definitely been the favourite package so far but our first Pizza Party went down a storm too!

We have had a fantastic time with the children and staff and are looking forward to our next event and all the future bookings in our diary.

An exciting Summer ahead!

Work starts on our community allotment!
March 2019

Groundwork NE & Cumbria are on site at our Positive Directions N.E. - CIC Allotment to help transform the space with help from some of our learners as part of their 'Creating Better Places' initiative.

Here are some BEFORE pictures - we can't wait to see the progress over the coming weeks!


Allotment Update
March 2019

We are looking for volunteers to help with our community allotment!

We are in talks with Groundwork NE & Cumbria to potentially work together to transform our Positive Directions N.E. - CIC allotment as part of their 'Creating Better Places' initiative.

Give us a call or send us a message if you are interested in getting involved!

Radio Interview - Listen!
February 2019

Gary, Mandy and Ross, Directors of Positive Directions N.E. - CIC were interviewed by Lisa Shaw for BBC Newcastle - Radio for the North East.

Lisa came to Bearpark Primary School during to see the great work we do with Elizabus - The Great British Bus - this time for a treat for the children for their hard work in lessons.

Listen here - https://www.facebook.com/positivedirectionssne/videos/2013848312242451/

A fantastic end to the year!
December 2018

The past few months have been very busy for Positive Directions N.E. and our Great British Bus - Elizabus! 

The team have been out and about in the community for private events and visiting care homes and care centres around County Durham.

We have loved spending time with some fantastic people and we are looking forward to many more events in 2019!

Donations are in!
December 2018

A HUGE thank you to Dunelm Medical Practice and their patients for their fantastic support with our Christmas Appeal.

Look at all the amazing food and gift donations we have received! 

We have delivered the food to the foodbank and we will be out in the community on board Elizabus - The Great British Bus to give out the gifts to the elderly later this week!

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
November 2018

The team held a small gathering in Millennium Place in Durham on Saturday 17th November in memory of our friend and colleague David who we lost to suicide in May this year.  

The gathering was to raise awareness about suicide and to be there for those who wanted to talk about their experience or share memories of a loved one.

Thank you to the representatives from Wellbeing for Life, If U Care Share and the crisis team for coming along to support us. 

Let's KO Cancer!
October 2018

The Positive Directions N.E. Team attended the Monster Ball at Ramside Hall to support and fundraise for the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust.

www.teamsolan.org.uk

And the winner is...ELIZABUS!
October 2018

In October Positive Direction N.E. ran a competition on Facebook to win Afternoon Tea for 10 people on board our Great British Bus!

All our Facebook followers had to do was suggest a nickname for our Great British Bus.

The winner was Doreen Gardner who suggested Elizabus… and we LOVED it!

Doreen kindly donated her prize back to us so we can now arrange a little party for some of the people we work with who are going through a tough time. Thank you Doreen!

Launch of our Great British Bus
September 2018

The launch of our Great British Bus took place on Saturday 22nd September 2018 at Nettlesworth Primary School to celebrate the school's 90th Birthday.

It was a lovely sunny afternoon with a fantastic turnout and our photobooth on the bus was a big hit with the children and parents alike!

Thank you to everyone who has got 'on-board' with our newest project - we cant wait to see you on our travels soon!

New team member!
September 2018

A big welcome to Beverley Crooks our newest team member at Positive Directions N.E!

Bev will be working as an Activities Co-ordinator 'on board' our Great British Bus and helping co-ordinate our community events and activities across County Durham!

Bev is looking forward to being out in the community and meeting all of you and we are delighted to have her on the team!

Great British Bus
September 2018

Preparations are well underway for the launch and very first event for our Great British Bus!

The team have been super busy for the past few months making sure everything is cleaned, repaired and reupholstered to make the bus 'ready to roll!'

Community Allotment
June 2018

Work has started on our fabulous Positive Directions N.E. – CIC Community Allotment!

Offering opportunities for our learners to help transform the allotment to produce herbs, vegetables, and a home for our lovely hens! 
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