Description of Activities

ART: The group meet on Mondays from 10am to 12noon. All the people who attend bring their own painting or sketching projects and work on them themselves.

Individuals work in a range of media, including watercolour, acrylic, oil or pencil. All abilities are welcome and tea/coffee and biscuits are provided. Please come along and enjoy an opportunity to share artistic ideas with others. £5 cash per session

Blind Life in Durham: We are a friendly pro-active group of blind and partially sighted people that meet regularly at events where we have chats and plenty of laughs.

We hold monthly social meetings and invite speakers to give talks on a wide range of subjects. In addition, we have social events and days out together. As well as that, we play New Age Kurling, New Age Bowls and more recently, Boccia.

Blind Life holds an annual New Age Kurling Blind Awareness Event, where sighted people are in teams of four and wear blindfolds when taking their shot. This causes a lot of laughs whilst at the same time gives appreciation of what losing their sight means.

Blind Life also enters New Age Kurling Competitions and have been very successful. Any member wishing to take part in these competitions are very welcome. It is about What We Can Do.

Please visit our website for more information www.blindlifeindurham.org.uk

Margaret Welch | 01388 763501 | blindlifeindurham@gmail.com

SGI Buddhist Group: The local Durham community of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) UK hosts a free monthly lecture on Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism on the second Saturday of each month from 11:00am-1:45pm with tea/coffee and biscuits served.

SGI is a global, community-based, lay Buddhist organisation and its motto is Trust through friendship, Peace through Trust. Grounded in the belief that every person has the potential for happiness, we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and study the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin — practising for the happiness of ourselves and others.
We welcome people from all walks of life — no prior experience or knowledge needed. Whether you are curious about Buddhism or seeking a supportive Buddhist community, you are warmly invited to join our open meetings, in particular our monthly study lectures and other discussion meetings.

Anju Saxena | anju.saxena.bsg@gmail.com | https://sgi-uk.org/ | https://www.sokaglobal.org

Diabetes UK: The group meets on the Second Thursday each month 7:15pm-8:45pm
We are always pleased to welcome new members.

Ian Rudd | ihrudd@gmail.com

Durham Bridge Club: meets three times each week for duplicate bridge on Monday evenings, Tuesday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. Monday sessions are supervised and are ideal for those beginning bridge and also those wanting to improve their game.

For more information please visit the club’s website, which shows that the Club are running bridge lessons on Monday evenings (https://www.bridgewebs.com/durham)

Christine Farnsworth (Secretary) | cafarnsworth2@gmail.com

Durham City Youth Project: Youth Clubs

Contact: durhamcitycentreyouthproject@gmail.com or
Lindsey Fletcher | Debbie Jenkins | 0191 383 2819| or just drop in. DCYP website |

Durham Coronary Support: The voluntary group is registered with the NHS and linked to the British Heart Foundation. Our aim is to provide encouragement, advice, support and information to heart patients, their families and friends. The group is in contact with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at University Hospital of North Durham and someone from the group gives a short talk during each rehabilitation course. Tuesdays from 7pm-8pm

Joyce Grant | joycegrant2@gmail.com | Jim Hubbard | jimskiver@aol.com

Durham Dance: There are Modern and Tap classes in line with the Imperial Standard for Teachers of Dance syllabus on Mondays from 4pm to 9:30pm.
There are Vocational ballet classes in line with the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus on a Wednesdays from 4pm to 9:30pm as well as an Adult Ballet class on Wednesdays from 5pm to 9:30pm which is open to all.

Catherine Smith | 07494 069 805 | durhamdance@gmail.com

Durham Full Gospel Fellowship: British-Israel Fellowship. We are a Christian organisation promoting the whole truth of the Bible, which we believe is the inspired word of God, as represented by the Authorised (King James) Version.

Colin Farquhar | 0191 384 7704 | colinfarquhar@talktalk.net

Durham Home Education Community Hub: DHECH provides a welcoming, community-based environment for home-educated children aged 3–16 in Durham City and the surrounding areas. We offer small-group tuition, creative enrichment, and opportunities for social connection in a setting that respects child-led learning and parental choice. Our provision is designed to complement home education rather than replace it, giving children access to high-quality learning in small groups.

Una Jenkins | dhechub@outlook.com | https://www.durhamhomeedcommunityhub.com/

Framwellgate Moor & Pity Me Local History Society: was formed by local residents with an interest in the Local History of Framwellgate Moor & Pity Me to meet with like minded people to look at and explore the rich history of the immediate area as well as of the wider Durham area. The Society meets monthly on a Thursday night, usually at 7:30pm. Society membership is £20 per year. All meetings are free to members and there is a charge of £5 for guests.

Please contact: Peter Dawson | framlochistsoc@gmail.com

French lessons: The classes are held on Thursday mornings, term-time only.
he 1st block of classes will be for 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th November.
Lessons will be 9-10.30am for beginners, then 10.30-12noon for elementary. Please contact Nathalie if you are not sure which class to join.
A bientôt

Nathalie | nathalieparis@nattalingo.co.uk | 07767 124 490

Hartbeeps: Our lovely, gentle class, which focuses on bonding and confidence. We use elements of baby yoga, baby massage, and calming techniques to guide little ones through our magical, imaginary Baby Land and help them to truly experience our soundtrack of remixed nursery rhymes and lullabies.
They’ll meet friendly puppet characters, be introduced to age-appropriate props and discover sparkly parachutes – all designed to delight those freshly acquired senses and help babies to uncurl and release trapped energy. On Fridays from 10am to 1pm

Abby Cutler | 07534 018440 | abby.cutler@hartbeeps.com | Leanne 07368 337993

Indian Music: Sundays from 8:30am to 11:00 am

Raaga Sudha Music Academy is a “not for profit community interest company” based in the North East of England. It is registered as a performing arts academy, providing Vocal music training in Indian Classical Carnatic Music through a structured curriculum. Our aim at Raaga Sudha is to help students explore, experience and enjoy music. Tradition, culture and Indian roots of classical singing shape the school’s guiding principles. Integrating positive values like love, peace, truth, right conduct and non-violence is an extremely important objective for Raaga Sudha. The teaching approach is modern and forward-thinking, embracing new opportunities, thereby enabling and encouraging the students to develop their own strengths and skills within a supportive environment. Students are trained and encouraged to become artists by providing a platform to showcase their talents every year. Our annual Pradarshana event forms an ideal production opportunity for students to express themselves through music. Music is the “language of the heart” and we continuously strive to experience its grandeur through discipline, dedication and sincerity.

Integrating: is an innovative group … more to follow.

For further information about classes or activities available, please see the Integrating website: https://integrating.org.uk/

David Gaudie | 07914 376 228 | info@integrating.org.uk

Martial Arts: Seishin-do Karate Ryu, teaches traditional martial arts. The school or Ryu has been established since the early 1990s. The classes are run on Wednesdays from 1:30pm- 3pm, Thursday from 6pm-7:30pm, Fridays from 6pm-8pm and Saturday mornings from 10am-12pm. The age group starts at 6 years and upwards. Our goal is to instil in our students self-respect for all, and as well as the keep fit and discipline involved in any martial art the commitment a student makes is vital to his/her
character. We look forward to meeting you.

Brian George Sensei Godan | 07711 600 571 | briangeorge385@gmail.com

Pilates

Tuesdays 7am-7:45am
Booking are required. Please contact Helen Tones for more information

Helen Tones | helentones@gmail.com

Prayer Group: led by Jincy Prince on the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month from 11am-1pm

Jincy Prince | jinjoprinjo@gmail.com

River Wear Tai Chi: Often described as moving meditation, Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise, which promotes mental and physical health through graceful flowing movements. Tai Chi strengthens the body, and improves flexibility, mobility, circulation and breathing, while encouraging the deep release of habitual tension in the mind and body.

Tai Chi is lead by Jamie Muir, who has studied under various world renowned Masters, and has over 20 years experience. Classes are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Monthly payment is £40. On Friday 11:00am- 12:30pm

Spanish Class: Learn Spanish with the help of an experienced tutor in a small group situation. We meet on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm.

Veronica Camello | 07980 122081 | NewcastleinSpanish@outlook.com

Wellbeing Tuesdays: is on every week from 10am to 2pm and is free to attend. You are welcome to join at any time. Refreshments are available throughout. Come alone or bring a friend and join in the exciting activities which include Crafting, Jewellery making, fun chair exercises and so much more….

Carol Callum | 0191 386  3356 | framyca@gmail.com