What We Do

The Volunteering and Social Action Programme, a cornerstone of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF*) Community Programmes and Partnerships activity, is set to inject £1 million into fostering impactful volunteering and social action initiatives across the North of Tyne Combined Authority area. 

Volunteering and social action are not just acts of goodwill; they are powerful catalysts for social and economic transformation. Individuals who volunteer often find themselves gaining new skills, boosting their confidence, expanding their social networks, and experiencing improvements in both physical and mental health. Meanwhile, beneficiaries of these actions reap the benefits of companionship, enhanced access to vital services, and the opportunity to thrive in vibrant community spaces. It’s a reciprocal relationship that fosters stronger, more resilient communities. 

The voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector is at the heart of this movement. VCSE organisations play a pivotal role in addressing societal challenges, supporting vulnerable populations, and promoting community cohesion. Their collective efforts contribute an estimated £1.65 billion to the region’s economy, underscoring the immense value of their contributions. 

Now, with UKSPF investment, there is an opportunity to harness this momentum and build a lasting legacy of community resilience. By investing in volunteering and social action, we can not only bolster communities against future challenges, like the COVID 19 pandemic, but also empower them to seize economic opportunities across the North of Tyne. 

An open call was raised in March 2023 and North Tyneside VODA were successful in their application to act as the lead delivery partner.  

Key objectives of the programme include: 

• Creating meaningful, inclusive, high-quality opportunities for volunteering  
• Supporting volunteer-led social action programmes  
• Enhancing employment prospects through skills development and confidence-building activities 
• Raising awareness of the transformative impact of volunteering in local communities 
• Empowering volunteers to lead and develop their own projects through comprehensive training and support 
• Promoting equity in volunteering by removing barriers for marginalised groups such as young people, people living with disabilities, and minoritised ethnic communities 
• Fostering collaboration within the volunteering ecosystem, including partnerships with businesses and other NTCA-funded initiatives 
• Cultivating social capital and economic well-being through increased community cohesion and empowerment.  

As partners in this initiative, Connected Voice, Northumberland CVA, Volunteering Matters, Community Action Northumberland (CAN), Blyth Valley CVA, and The Key are committed to ensuring a broad and inclusive reach across the region. 

Together, we envision a future where volunteering and social action serve as cornerstones of community strength, fostering pride, belonging, and resilience among all residents of the North of Tyne. 

* The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.  For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus