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Home > Strong Communities

Strong Communities

The North East has a strong identity. When asked, most people say they are reasonably happy. But there are still many ways we need to strengthen our communities.

Vital issues

Tackling inequality is key to supporting people’s contribution to the region’s prosperity. Philanthropy plays an important role in building stronger local communities by helping “close the gap”.

 

Nurturing civil society is vital if we are to mobilise people’s voluntary efforts to improve quality of life. Philanthropic support – financial and in-kind – can make a significant contribution here.

 

Promoting inclusion is about ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to benefit from, and contribute to, community life. Voluntary groups can link individuals to services, and promote connections between different communities, to make sure this happens.

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7

Asked to rate how happy they were on a scale of one to 10, overall people in the North East gave themselves 7

66%

The General Election turnout in the North East in 2017 (compared to 69% nationally)

£104m

Value of work done by North East volunteers each year

1,668

Hate crimes investigated by North East police in 2015

Background

Against some of the common measures of what makes a strong community, priorities for action in the region are easy to identify. According to the Equality Trust, a UK charity that researches the effects of inequality, “people in less equal societies are less likely to trust each other, less likely to engage in social or civic participation, and less likely to say they’re happy”. Unfortunately our research identified a significant gap between disadvantaged communities and the rest of the region in relation to all the themes covered by Vital Signs, and in all corners of the North East.

 

There are some indications that the region is experiencing the problems that flow from inequality. Generally we say we are happy, but report greater levels of anxiety than elsewhere in the country. Crime and anti-social behaviour are problems in many areas, and hate crimes against those perceived as different is a significant issue. Overall people in the region are less engaged in civil society: fewer of us take part in elections than in the rest of the country, and levels of volunteering are generally lower.

 

Philanthropy can help to break down the barriers that inequality can create. Charitable giving puts money into poor communities, and unlocks more resources through people’s voluntary efforts. Philanthropy supports the voluntary sector to deliver hundreds of projects that bring people from all backgrounds together in communities to find ways to make life better.

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Contact Mark Pierce

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Mark is responsible for the Foundation’s knowledge-gathering and for our research projects. Please use the form opposite for enquiries or comments about our Vital Signs research reports only. All other enquiries should be directed to general@communityfoundation.org.uk

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