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!
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!
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 💙💚
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
26th September 2023
We are delighted to announce the brand new partnership of Positive Directions N.E. and Holmes and Bailey.
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.
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!
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!
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:
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.
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!