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Home > On the Table

On the Table

On the Table is an invitation from the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to join a conversation about addressing our areas’ challenges and opportunities.

Be part of On the Table!

On the Table was an invitation from the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to join a conversation about addressing our areas’ challenges and opportunities. It runs alongside our Vital Signs reports which draw on statistics, research and local knowledge to highlight how philanthropy – the giving of money, time and expertise – can make the most difference to our region’s people and places.

 

On the Table’s format is simple. We invited hosts to gather a small group of people – community members, colleagues, family, friends – to chat about issues that interest them most, stimulated by what’s come from Vital Signs. We’ll gather feedback on topics discussed and ideas that come up. We’ll share that in a report in the new year giving a snapshot of what’s on people’s minds right now. And what we learn will help shape the Community Foundation’s own plans and priorities from 2025.

 

We invited expressions of interest (EOIs) in hosting an On the Table event between the end of September and the end of November 2024. Hosts can be local charities or community organisations, businesses, schools and public bodies. Individuals can also be hosts. Our aim was to have at least 100 events take place with a broad geographic coverage and diversity of people. We wanted On the Table to be a fun but meaningful chance for people to gather and share, in turn helping build more community connections and ideas for action.

 

We have now stopped accepting EOIs. Thank you to everyone who submitted one.

Hosting On the Table

Organisations or individuals can host an On the Table conversation. We suggest around 6-8 guests gathered over refreshments or food – anything from tea and biscuits, sandwiches, a take-away or a home-cooked meal! We can help with some costs where needed.

 

If you’re a charity or community organisation, your guests could be people you work with or support. Businesses might host a conversation among colleagues or clients. Schools might facilitate an On the Table with students or parents. Individuals could host an On the Table with friends, family and neighbours.

 

We’ll give hosts a toolkit to help get conversations going. Vital Signs is a starting point but there’s lots in it, so we suggest kicking off with what’s most important to you and your guests. Afterwards, we’ll ask you to feedback through an online survey, highlighting issues raised and ideas proposed.

FAQs

Where has the idea for On the Table come from?

On the Table was started by the Chicago Trust community foundation in 2014. Its first On the Table saw over a thousand conversations in community locations, cafes, restaurants and people’s homes. The model has since expanded to other cities and regions of the US and Canada.

When will On the Table events happen?

We’re asking hosts to hold events from the end of September to the end of November. That’s so we can gather feedback in time to publish findings early in the new year, and so they can help shape the Community Foundation’s plans and priorities from 2025.

Where should On the Table events be held?

Anywhere your guests will be comfortable to talk. It could be your organisation’s premises, a community facility or a café – or your home if you’re an individual. Think about your guest list and any access requirements, and the refreshments or food you want to offer.

Can I host an On the Table online?

We’ve designed On the Table to be about in-person conversations. However, if for reasons of accessibility or inclusion you think it would be better for your event to be online, please let us know in your expression of interest so we can take that into account.

How many people should I invite?

We recommend keeping it to a small group, so everyone is comfortable and has chance to speak. We think 6-8 people is a good number.

Can I host more than one On the Table?

We want to encourage lots of different people and organisations to host an On the Table, as that will help make sure we hear from a wide range of guests. But if you think you can reach some different groups by hosting more than one event, please let us know when you fill in your expression of interest.

I’m hosting a separate event during the period – can I combine it with On the Table?

Yes, just let us know that’s your plan when you fill in your expression of interest.

Is there financial support for hosting my event?

Yes. The Community Foundation can offer between £50 to £200 for each On the Table to cover catering, venue hire and any transport or accessibility support. We will prioritise financial support for charities and community organisations, and for individuals who would not otherwise be able to get involved. Payments to organisations will be based on an agreed invoice; we’ll ask individuals to fill in an expenses claim. We hope some businesses and public institutions would be motivated to run an On the Table pro bono.

Will the Community Foundation help me organise and manage my event?

The Community Foundation will provide hosts with information and advice on making the most of their On the Table, but we won’t be involved in sending out invitations or managing your RSVPs for you. It’s your event to enjoy and make the most of!

Do I have to provide food?

We think people will be more comfortable chatting over food or refreshments. But it can be as simple as tea and biscuits. Or you could do it as a ‘bring your own food and drink’ event. Getting a take-away or buying in catering is another option, as is having the event in a café. But feel free to offer your guests a home-cooked meal if that’s what you prefer!

What’s the theme of the conversation?

We’d love you to use our Vital Signs reports as a starting point. But they cover a lot of issues, so we suggest you pick a topic you’re interested in chatting over with others. That will help you decide which guests to invite. Or you could pick a more general theme – like ‘how can people get together to address big issues in our area’ and let the conversation flow from there.

How do I host safely?

If you’re from an organisation, you’ll need to plan On the Table in line with your health and safety and safeguarding arrangements. If you’re an individual, you’ll need to take personal responsibility for your event and who you invite. If you’re providing food, make sure you consider any dietary requirements and allergies. As the Community Foundation is not hosting and managing the events, we can’t take any direct responsibility for them.

How should I let guests know about my event?

Once we’ve accepted you as a host, we’ll give you customisable ‘save the date’ text which you can email to your guests. We’ll also give you a toolkit with more detailed information you’ll need to make sure your guests can join in.

How can I share with other people hosting On the Table events?

We encourage you and your guests to share your thoughts and experiences before, during and after your event on social media using the hashtag #OnTheTableNE.

How can people express interest in being a host?

Fill in our quick and easy expression of interest form here. It asks you to tell us a bit about who will be the host, who your guests will be, where and when your event will take place, and whether you need to request any financial support towards costs.

Expression of Interest form
Will everyone who expresses interest get to be a host?

We hope to back as many On the Table events as possible. But that will depend on how many EOIs we get and how much support we’re asked for. We’re hoping to reach diverse places and communities, so will consider that when reviewing EOIs. We may need to say no to some so we can finance other groups to fill gaps in the overall range and reach of the On the Table events.