Community partnership commits further funding through 2025
Further funding has been awarded to the Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership to continue its work throughout the 2025.
Between October 2023 and March 2025, £1.3 million was allocated by the partnership to 31 projects delivered by voluntary and community sector organisations across the 18 wards in the South East of the county that could most benefit based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation. The projects offered meaningful volunteering opportunities and training for residents, as well as improving the facilities of VCS organisations to help them to continue their work for years to come. Almost £920,000 in revenue funding was allocated, alongside £400,000 in capital.
A further £475,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been allocated to Northumberland by the North East Combined Authority to further more than a dozen projects until the end of December 2025. This includes supporting the roll-out and development of a Volunteer Passport, developed by Thriving Together Northumberland, that will support organisations to recruit and embed volunteers in their work, as well as funding organisations such as North East Museums and Blyth Tall Ship to further enhance their own volunteering opportunities.
Projects in Amble, curated by Frances Anderson and Paula Turner of Dry Water Arts, and Cambois, created by Alex Oates and Esther Huss at The Tute, will again harness the creative arts in enabling local residents to celebrate and tell the stories of where they live.
In Hirst, Ashington, a collaboration between the Newcastle United Foundation and Hirst Welfare Centre, will continue to use a hub established through funding in 2024 to work with young people in the area creating opportunities and harnessing aspirations.
The volunteering opportunities on offer will give residents the chance to develop new skills, progress towards other provision including support with training and job search, and the wellbeing benefits associated with improved health.
The North East Combined Authority (North East CA) was formed on 7 May 2024. It is led by Elected Mayor Kim McGuinness and the Cabinet and covers the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.