Fourteen North East organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector have been award Common Ground awards to help them build cohesive and resilient communities. Most will receive £10,000 and three between £9,000 and £10,000.
Recipients in the region range from Northumberland to Redcar & Cleveland, supporting vulnerable people such as the impoverished, disabled and the LGBTQ community as well as ventures such as a youth club and a natural garden.
The North East winners are among 212 nationwide sharing a total of £1.7mn.
The Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG), which launched the awards last September and announced the successful applicants on 8 April, said the grants were for investment in capital funding to support the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or purchasing equipment to deliver services.
The MHCLG said: “The bonds that hold society together are put under threat by divisive forces, such as political polarisation, declining trust, social isolation and economic insecurity. These bonds are formed and nurtured at a local level and often sustained by the vital work of VCSE organisations that bring communities together and foster connection.
“The UK government’s Common Ground Award aims to recognise good practice across England, in promoting social cohesion, by directly investing in organisations making a positive impact.
Organisations were assessed on how their objectives and activities sought to build bridging social capital – this, said the MHCLG, described work that builds social connection across and between different communities.
Community of practice
“Organisations who receive the award, it added, “will also be invited to participate in a community of practice, to enable knowledge sharing between organisations, and contribute to a wider discussion on building social cohesion across the country, with government stakeholders.
In addition to inviting awarded organisations to participate in the community of practice, other organisations who were not selected for the award, or who did not apply, would be provided with opportunities to engage in the future, to ensure a broad and diverse range of voices were heard.
The North East winners, each receiving £10,000 unless otherwise stated, are: Blaydon Youth and Community Centre; BME Network; St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle; Edberts House (Gateshead); Feeding Families; Footprints in the Community (Redcar) (£9,559); Grace House North East (Sunderland); Handcrafted Projects (Gateshead); Lifeline Community Action (Newton Aycliffe); Out North East (South of Tyne) (£9,710); Scotswood Natural Community Garden (£9,868); The Customs House Trust, South Shields; Triangular (Cruddas Park, Newcastle); and Northumberland YMCA.
*This report is based on guidance published by the MHCLG
