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So, here we are. Devolved! The North East has its first Mayor.
The months up to the election saw an accumulation of hope for — and demands on — what our Mayor should do. At the many hustings and debates that took place, I lost count of the number of times candidates were asked ‘what will you commit to on X?’ or ‘how can you help us with Y?’.
Now Kim McGuinness is in post, it won’t be a surprise to see expectations ramping up again. The temptation to see her and the North East Combined Authority as the solution to every problem will be great, only matched by the potential disappointment when it turns out there are no magic wands.
That said, we’re optimistic at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland about the difference that can be made with devolved power and money. But it’s just as important to consider other resources that can be built, especially philanthropy. Because the giving of money, time and expertise has played a huge role in the North East’s history and could be an even greater part of its future if nurtured effectively.
Our Community Foundation is at the halfway point of a research programme called Vital Signs. Through it, we ‘take the pulse’ of our area to guide people and businesses who wish to give back on how to make the most difference.
It draws on statistics, research and local knowledge and covers 10 themes reflecting all aspects of life in our region. We don’t shy away from challenges, but we also celebrate strengths, and opportunities to get behind those already having an impact.
So far, we’ve published reports on the economy, education, environment, culture and health. We’re working on five more: housing, justice, community, living standards and access. Across them, while some challenges are national (indeed global), North East England has particular issues.
It’s a stubbornly long list. Higher rates of unemployment and economic inactivity. Lower earnings and self-employment rates. Attainment gaps at GSCE and A levels. A higher percentage of young people that are not in education, employment or training. Household budgets under pressure. Lower life expectancy. Vulnerability to climate change. London — still! — disproportionately favoured for cultural investment.
But we’re shining a light on those regional strengths too. And there are many. Great universities. Growth in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, digital, renewables and the creative economy – and potential for us to be a hub for the ‘green industrial revolution’. A thriving tourism and night-time economy. Schools doing well on pupil progress taking account of needs. Significant cultural and natural assets.
We’re also heartened to see shared commitments across public and business bodies on inclusive growth, skills, culture and net zero. And it’s right that the heavy lifting on these big regional ambitions must be done by government and the private sector. But civil society — charities and community groups, with the philanthropy that nourishes them — must be actively involved if improvements are to benefit everyone.
In our Vital Signs reports to date, we’ve set out lots of ways philanthropy can make the most difference in the North East through civil society organisations. Here are just a few.
- Helping people with vocational skills and training, and connections to decent jobs.
- Filling gaps in mainstream education, especially for pupils from poorer backgrounds and those with special education needs and disabilities.
- Expanding early years provision, particularly in disadvantaged places.
- Running healthy living and physical activities for young people.
- Providing crisis support, advice and recovery services for those most at risk of poor mental and physical health.
- Raising awareness of and action on climate change, biodiversity and local environmental problems.
- Giving everyone opportunities to engage in arts, heritage and sport — for fun and fulfilment and to develop skills.
Across all themes, what’s clear is how much we need the region’s civil society organisations. And that’s not just about the services they provide, it’s also the advocacy and campaigning work that means communities — especially those experiencing disadvantage and discrimination — can get their voices heard. The core work of charities and community organisations needs investment so there’s resilience and growth — much like we want to see in the private sector.
So, if everyone else is making demands of Kim McGuinness, what does Vital Signs have to say to her?
First, Kim’s focus on tackling poverty is absolutely right. Barriers to economic and education opportunities, health inequities, vulnerability to climate change, reduced access to culture — these are all driven by economic disadvantage.
A thriving civil society will be essential to this agenda. So, to begin with, the combined authority must understand the existing contribution of the region’s 7,000 or so charities and community organisations, the 37,000 people they employ and their 152,000 volunteers working between them 11 million unpaid hours. All that amounts to a financial value to the region of £1.7bn — closer to £6bn if broader measures of social and economic value get counted.
That’s a powerhouse for the region by any measure. So, we’d like to see the Mayor looking to create an environment in the region where civil society can genuinely flourish. More and better giving could be key to that. And while philanthropy must never replace what government should do, public institutions like the combined authority can help create the conditions to grow the giving cake.
The good news is the North East is already a leader, with a rich 1,000-year history of giving back. And we’ve strong anchors and philanthropic expertise in the Community Foundations serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and County Durham.
Vital Signs can be the start of a conversation on how we do even more — with donors, with charities and with public bodies. We look forward to Kim, her cabinet and our colleagues at the combined authority joining us in getting that conversation going.
Vital Signs reports are available at www.communityfoundation.org.uk/vital-signs/. The research is supported by Newcastle Building Society.