Partner Article

Community assets to benefit from vital grants

In October 2015 the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland launch its latest Tyne & Wear Vital Signs report, an initiative which uses research, community surveys and polls to influence the role of philanthropy to causes in our region through its donors and external partners. The Community Foundation is now encouraging communities in Northumberland to help shape its next Vital Signs report in 2016.

Tyne & Wear’s Vital Signs 2015 and Northumberland’s Vital Signs 2015 discuss the role of philanthropy in supporting our areas vitals assets; the people, organisations, and places that make the area a great place to live and work. One lucky participant in the community survey on vital assets in Tyne & Wear, Karen Watson, of the Volunteer Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, won £100 in gift vouchers. The winner has agreed to donate the vouchers to volunteers in Broadacre House where the charity is located.

Mark Pierce, Director of Policy and Programmes at the Community Foundation said:

“The information we gather from our Vital Signs research will inform both the community Foundation’s plans and the advice we offer to individuals and companies that give through us. We’re currently focussing on assets, which consists of the good people, great organisations and special places that make our region a great place to live and work.”

Broadacre House is home to many charities, social action groups and creative arts organisations in the heart of Newcastle. As a community asset it aims to provide a unique space at an affordable price for organisations that encourage positive social change. The building is run entirely by volunteers and Karen Watson of the Volunteer Centre in Newcastle is using her prize to make ten £10 gifts as a way to say thank you to her volunteers this Christmas.

Mark Pierce says this demonstrates the role of community assets which make a difference in our community:

“Our survey found that getting more good people to be active in local communities is a clear priority. Across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear funding to promote local volunteering and encourage self-help initiatives is seen as very important. It’s brilliant that Karen has agreed to donate her prize to the volunteers which help to run Broadacre House. This recognises their role in providing a safe and affordable working environment for many voluntary organisations and contribute to the special place that is Broadacre House.”

For a chance to win £100 and take part in a community poll about the vital assets in Northumberland please visit our Vital Signs website.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam Lopardo .