Newcastle CVS

Newcastle faces a number of significant economic challenges.  The city has several neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation, there is significant child poverty and above average levels of young people not in education, employment or training.  Wages in Newcastle are lower than the national average and business stock is relatively weak. In December Newcastle City Council published Newcastle - a working city, a paper that seeks to build on the 1Plan, the 20 year economic vision produced jointly with Gateshead Council.

Different agencies have come together to address the challenges facing Newcastle, often in partnership and including voluntary and community organisations (VCOs).  The Newcastle Partnership’s Economy, Work, Learning and Skills Delivery Partnership has been responsible for bringing together many of the leading partners in economic development and employment in Newcastle.  The Delivery Partnership included two voluntary and community sector representatives with a role to provide a voice for VCOs and to influence strategy and delivery of services. 

Recent changes to partnership structures in Newcastle following the setting up of the Wellbeing for Life Board has signalled a review of partnership arrangements for economy, work, skills and learning. The Delivery Partnership currently continues to meet, however changes are expected to be made at some point. In the meantime the two VCS representatives will continue to attend meetings and provide a voice for the sector. The reps will be expected to provide feedback forms on what is happening with the Delivery Partnership and the forms will be posted on VCS representatives in Newcastle page.

Economic contribution of the voluntary and community sector

• The voluntary and community sector makes a significant contribution to Newcastle’s economy
• VCOs in Newcastle have an estimated turnover of £70m
• 30% of general charities in the north east with an income over £1m are based in Newcastle
• VCOs have a workforce of around 5,000 (full time equivalent)
• Every £1 in grant aid received by Newcastle VCOs is matched by £7 from other sources

Newcastle voluntary and community groups meet Work Programme Prime Contractors

In December 2011 NCVS hosted a meeting with voluntary and community groups and managers from Work Programme Prime Contractors Ingeus and Avanta. The meeting was an opportunity to find out more about how the Work Programme will operate in Newcastle and what prospects there might be for sub contracting to the sector. Notes of the meeting are available here.