The Newcastle Partnership is the city’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), bringing the voluntary, community, private and public sector together to implement the Newcastle Plan, with its ambition of making Newcastle better for everyone who lives, works or visits it.  

Introduced in 2001 as part of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, LSPs have become an increasingly important part of the Government’s programme of public service reform.  Along with Local Area Agreements (a three year agreement between the Government and the local area based on a set of agreed outcomes), LSPs are seen as a way of changing established means of service provision, giving the voluntary and community sector the chance to influence, shape and even deliver public services.

In 2007, in response to the higher profile being given to LSPs, the Newcastle Partnership reviewed its organisational structure.  It reduced the number of thematic partnerships from nine to five and re-named them Delivery Partnerships.  The five Delivery Partnerships are Wellbeing and Health; Safe Newcastle; Economy, Work, Skills and Learning; Environment and Housing; Children and Young People.

Newcastle Partnership also established a Delivery Board to performance manage the LAA, and an Innovation Group, which will consider what the Newcastle Partnership can do to address emerging challenges such as climate change.  A Strategic Board sets the strategic direction for the whole LSP and also oversees the production of the Sustainable Community Strategy and LAA.

The voluntary sector is an important partner throughout the Newcastle Partnership.  The Regen Forum provides the means for voluntary sector representation and engagement with the Partnership.  There are currently 18 voluntary sector representatives from the Regen Forum involved in the Newcastle Partnership.

The Voluntary Sector representative’s role is to give voice to the sector’s interests and ensure that the sector has the opportunity to be fully involved in the Partnership’s activities.  The Regen Team provides a wide range of support to help representatives carry out their role, including preparing briefing papers, accompanying reps to meetings and liaising with the Newcastle Partnership team.

To ensure voluntary sector representatives are able to properly provide views and opinions from the sector we are establishing voluntary sector reference groups for each of the Delivery Partnerships.  The Reference groups enable representatives to report on latest developments and hear from voluntary colleagues; they also provide an opportunity for voluntary groups to engage directly with Delivery Partnership officers who are leading on plans and strategies.

For more information visit www.newcastlepartnership.org.uk, email the Regen team or phone them on 0191 232 7445.

Children and Young People voluntary sector reference group

Provides an opportunity for the sector to consider and comment on policies and strategies developed to meet Every Child Matters outcomes.  The Group meets at 10.00am on the second Tuesday of every month at MEA House.  For more information contact Martin Gollan on 0191 232 7445 or by email.

Safe Newcastle VCS reference group

Provides an opportunity for the sector to consider and comment on community safety and drug and alcohol issues.  Meeting dates for 2009 are May 7, September 3 and November 5; all meetings start at 10.00am at MEA House.  For more information contact Martin Gollan on 0191 232 7445 or by email.

Wellbeing and Health voluntary sector reference group

Provides an opportunity for the sector to consider and comment on health and social care issues.  For more information contact Roger Mould on 0191 232 7445 or by email.

Employability, work, skills and learning voluntary sector reference group

Provides an opportunity for the sector to consider and comment on the employability agenda.  For more information contact Roger Mould on 0191 232 7445 or by email.

A guide to the Wellbeing and Health Partnership

The Wellbeing and Health Partnership have produced a quick and easy guide explaining what the Partnership does, its structure and where it links to the other Newcastle Partnership delivery partnerships.  To download a copy, click on the link below.

Guide to the Wellbeing and Health Partnership (PDF, 245kb)

For more information email Helen Wilding, Wellbeing and Health Partnership Co-ordinator at Newcastle City Council.

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