Agenda item

Report of the Acting Strategic Director Communities and Environment

This was the first evidence gathering session on the review on Helping to Increase Support/Capacity of the Voluntary Sector, the scope of the review is to develop an understanding of

·         The type of support required by Gateshead’s Voluntary and Community Sector ~(VCS)

·         Where support is needed the most and why

·         Where the Council’s role, support and resources may best be focussed to maximise impact

The evidence gathering will look to:

·         Establish the extent and nature of support the Council currently provides to the VCS

·         How this activity is resources and coordinated

·         Assess the effectiveness of this support in helping the VCS address the needs of Gateshead residents

The Committee were advised that currently there are 876 registered charities based in Gateshead or name Gateshead within their charitable objects.  There are 750-1000 smaller groups (eg knit and natter, todders etc), many of which are un-constituted.  The Council provides support to the VCS in a number of ways, by commissioning frameworks, awarding contracts, grants relief and buildings.  The Council also offer information, guidance and networking and brokering relationships mentoring and showcasing.

In 2017/18 the Gateshead Thrive Fund awarded £321,696 to 39 organisations supporting Gateshead residents.  There is also £3000 per ward Local Community Fund , the Volunteers Month Grant of up to £500  and a £10,000 fund for Tenants and Residents’ Associations.

Some of the commissioned services for Supported Living for Adults include, advocacy, carers, non-statutory floating support, mental health day provision and older people day provision.  35 voluntary and community sector organisations are involved in delivery of services with current contract values of £3.01m.

In terms of supported living for adults with learning disabilities there is a framework of 27 providers, 9 of whom are voluntary and community sector.  There are 36 VCS organisations delivery a range of services for Children and Young People under 18, with a value of £805,000.

Public Health funded 12 VCS Organisations to deliver services relating to drug and alcohol, obesity and mental health to a value of £144,800.  The Make Every Contact Count (MECC) programme supported 19 VCS Organisations to a value of £235,251.

Go Gateshead supports around 100 voluntary sports clubs to build clubs’ capacity and sustainability.  The Culture and Events team support around 50 cultural organisations within Gateshead and during 2018 has provided event advice to around 100 organisations delivering public events, from community festivals to fun runs.  Economic Development and Housing Growth provide support to Gateshead-based social enterprises, which includes Community Interest Companies, setting up, business planning, sources of finance and finding business accommodation.

The Environment, Housing and Planning Team provide advice and guidance to Gateshead residents and volunteers helping to look after Gateshead’s ecology, countryside and open spaces.  The Neighbourhood Management and Volunteering team are the Council’s principal development support and capacity building function to community organisations from setting up to project support and identifying funding opportunities.  They have also supported the Community Asset Transfer process for community centres, libraries and bowling greens and manage the council contract with the Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service. The Team also co-ordinates volunteering in Gateshead.

The Committee heard from Dr Joanna Price, Chair of Trustees, The Comfrey Project.  The Charity supports primarily asylum seekers and refugees in particular in relation to their mental health, their wellbeing and to increase their community participation.  The project specialises in therapeutic horticulture with some other additional activities and services and places are offered following a referral.  All participants are volunteers at the Project.

The project initially had 3 allotment sites which weren’t working out, the project moved to Windmill Hills in 2015 and currently have 100 active participants with 28 different ethnicities.  Gateshead Council offered support in a number of ways to help facilitate the move to Windmill Hills, including financial, expertise and connectivity.

In 2017, the project hit a bit of a crisis and the Neighbourhood Management and Volunteering Team offered support, the project also received report from the Thrive Fund which helped alongside other support kept the project from closing.

It is hoped that for the future the centre will become a Community Hub, will lead to participant integration and will offer meaningful recreational activity and skills development for the local community. 

The Committee were advised of one particular asylum seeker who has still not had a decision on his status having been in the UK for 17 years ago having fled from Iran as he converted to Christianity.  He was looking for a project which allowed him to work outdoors with the land.  As an asylum seeker he is not allowed to work or study.  This particular participant would like to become a plumber or a gardener.

The project is grateful for the support, knowledge and assistance with funding applications it has received from the Council.  It has mainly received advice from the Council It has found this more useful as the Neighbourhood Management team has knowledge of the area and know what is needed in the area. It also received some advice from the NCVS.

The Project now has a 3-year strategic plan and are currently looking at a lottery fund application.  As they have this opportunity the aim is to become more embedded into the community.

The Committee noted that there were pleased to hear about the idea of guerrilla gardening to improve the local neighbourhood verges and waste land.

RESOLVED    That the information contained within the presentation and the Committee’s comments be noted.