These images show how an innovative new community hub in Wallsend – providing space for vital services - will look.
Significant investment from North Tyneside Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority will see the creation of a Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector hub called the ‘Spirit of North Tyneside’ on the partially vacant top floor at the Wallsend Customer First Centre.
The hub will provide space for small and micro-organisations which offer support to some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents.
There will be space for co-working, virtual conferencing and training facilities and creative break-out areas.
It will be managed by North Tyneside VODA who will be based on-site to provide advice to and administrative services to voluntary organisations.
Cllr Carole Burdis, cabinet member for Community Safety, said: “This is great news, not only for Wallsend, but for residents all over North Tyneside.
“Providing these services alongside flexible co-working and office space will reduce costs for voluntary and community sector organisations, which will result in an increase in funding and resources for activity that benefits people in the borough.
“The hub will provide a focal point for the development of new social enterprise activities, strengthen local partnerships and networks, build staff and volunteer capacity and strengthen governance and leadership across the sector.
“It will also host VODA’s Sector Connector project, helping to draw in additional pro-bono support from businesses including master classes, mentoring and maximising volunteering opportunities.
“This really is a forward-thinking and ground-breaking way of providing these vital services all under one roof and I look forward to the vision become reality.”
The North of Tyne Combined Authority has awarded £250,000 for the development of the new hub on the top floor, with a further £50,000 to support its development over the first couple of years.
A funding pot of £200,000 has also been shared by community and voluntary sector organisations across North Tyneside to diversify and adapt their offer while also helping to expand their income streams to become more sustainable.
Robin Fry, Chief Executive, VODA and North of Tyne Combined Authority Mayoral Ambassador for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector, said: "Our ambition is to create a dynamic Community Hub that becomes the centre of excellence for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations across the borough.
“We know how vital a strong VCSE sector is to the health and happiness of people living in North Tyneside. The Hub will offer a range of affordable ‘back-office’ services such as payroll, accountancy, printing and HR advice.
“These services, alongside the offer of co-working space, will reduce running costs for VCSE sector organisations, enabling more investment in the delivery of services that benefit residents.”
The Wallsend Customer First Centre already hosts a range of services, including a library, customer services, Care and Connect, Citizens Advice Bureau and an NHS recovery partnership team, while the Wallsend Neighbourhood Policing Team have also recently moved in.
Northumbria Police Neighbourhood Inspector Thomas Hart said: “We are excited to be working in close proximity with our partners the NHS, Citizens Advice and North Tyneside Council. This close access will allow us to work together seamlessly to help make Wallsend a safe and happy place to call home.”
ENDS