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Last Thursday, over two hundred civil society organisations, philanthropists, businesses and public sector leaders gathered to hear the latest findings from the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland’s Vital Signs research.
Developed and produced by the Community Foundation with generous support from Newcastle Building Society, ‘Vital Signs North East 24’ looks at the challenges facing the North East and the opportunities that philanthropy can make in addressing them.
Opening the event Andrew Haigh, Chief Executive of Newcastle Building Society and trustee of the Community Foundation noted that
“This is a treasure trove of data. Get this into anyone’s hands that can use it and shape some of the answers to some of the questions. This is an invitation to act and collaborate.”
The audience was then given an overview of the ten thematic reports including how philanthropy can have a bigger impact combatting issues in the region. These include tackling the region’s unacceptable poverty and inequality levels; widening access and inclusion so more benefit from opportunities; supporting people to live healthier and safer lives; strengthening culture, community life and the resilience of our places; and taking and resourcing action to address climate change.
Community Foundation Chief Executive Rob Williamson outlined three key areas the Community Foundation feels public and private sectors, individuals, families and wider civil society in the North East can have an impact.
“We need to recognise the value of the region’s 7,000 charities and community organisations and build impetus to invest in them accordingly. There needs to be a renewed effort to grow giving and philanthropy to benefit our people and places. We also need to build on the opportunities of devolution”.
Following the overview Claire Malcolm, trustee of the Community Foundation chaired a panel session including Abigail Pogson, Managing Director of The Glasshouse; Anne Reece, Chair of the Reece Foundation; Martin Brookes, Chief Executive of Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE); Ngozi Lyn Cole, consultant and non-executive director; and Wayne Dobson, Chief Executive of the Cedarwood Trust.
Claire summarised the discussion and the event:
“Although many of the challenges that the North East faces are persistent and often worsening due to the economic climate I felt that there was hope and commitment in the room to work towards making things better. To feel this energy from the third sector, funding stakeholders and philanthropists feels good. The North East is great at working together and devolution, our new Mayor with her commitment to turning the dial on childhood poverty and new leadership in central government gives me hope that we can make change happen collectively. We all have a part to play”.
Vital Signs is a comprehensive guide to critical issues affecting our region produced by the Community Foundation. It takes the pulse of communities, drawing on statistics, research and local expertise. It sets out how individuals and businesses can give back and how charities and community organisations can be supported to best address our area’s challenges and opportunities.
So far this year six Vital Signs reports have been released; economy, education, environment, culture, health and homes with a further four – community, justice, living standards and access – to follow over the coming weeks.
You can download copies of all the Vital Signs reports, the Summary Report and slides from the event here: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/vital-signs/