 The Coalfield Forum are very pleased to inform you that the jury has selected our entry of Social inclusion through ICT in a former UK coal mining area via partnership working, in the Stockholm Challenge Award 2008 to be a finalist with a chance to win the Stockholm Challenge Trophy.
The winner in the Economic Development category will be announced at the Gala Dinner and Award ceremony in the Stockholm City Blue Hall on May 22. The winner will receive the Stockholm Challenge trophy and certificate of achievement and a cheque for 5.000 Euros at that event.
The Gala Evening will close Challenge Week, which will be held at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm between May 19 - 22.
The competition is an international one with over 50,000 countries taking part. It acknowledges projects that use ICT to improve social and economic conditions in worthwhile and innovative ways and our successful bid is in partnership with e-neighbourhoods team and was supported by Fraser Kemp MP, Canon Steven Taylor and Nicol Trueman (VCS Representative)
www.stockholmchallenge.se
Help create a Charter for your area! 
What issues need to be tackled in YOUR community?
People living in the Seaham, Murton and South Hetton areas are being given a unique opportunity to identify the issues which matter to them at a series of public meetings.
The meetings are being organised by East Durham Trust on behalf of the District of Easington, and everyone is encouraged to come along and have their say. Meetings have been arranged in three pilot areas in an attempt to inform local council members and public bodies such as the police about the major concerns of local people.
Our Chief Executive Malcolm Fallow says, “We want local people to come along and tell us what problems they would like to see tackled in their town or village. The outcome will be a ‘Charter’ for local councillors to act on in the future.”
The meetings are as follows:
17th March: 6pm – 8pm Seaham; Parkside Community Centre
18th March: 6pm – 8pm Murton; The Glebe Centre
19th March: 6pm – 8pm South Hetton; The Robin Todd Centre
Refreshments will be provided and free transport to and from the venues can be arranged – please call 0191 569 3511. If you live in any of the three pilot areas please come along and tell us what you would like to see in the Charter for your area. You can just turn up on the night or if you would like any further information about the meetings please contact Lisa Gardiner on 0191 569 3511.
East Durham Trust, 1-3 Upper Chare, Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee
SR8 1BW, Tel 0191 569 3511
Email info@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk
Ready, Steady, Go.....
Barnardo’s recently held a launch event of their Good Practice Guide and Toolkit for Building and Measuring Social Capital using a Community Development Approach.
The event was held at Dubmire Primary School, Fence Houses. Houghton Le Spring on Friday March 28 and was a great success.
The Launch was an opportunity for local people, voluntary, community and public sector agencies and groups to learn about ‘what works’ by sharing experiences from practice and partnership working.
The launch also included guest speakers Jackie McHanwell, Head of Children and Learners from Governement Office North East and spoke about 'Regional Approaches to Child Poverty'. Another guest speaker was David Smith Housing Strategy Manager for the City of Sunderland and then a presentation by Sue Robson Co author and Consultant on Transformation and Change. To end the day there was a small awards ceremony. Each delegate also received a free Good Practice Guide and Toolkit.
Ready looks at Barnardos Community Development Project in Fencehouses and the aims and objectives of the project.
Steady looks at Frameworks and models
Go is the actual toolkit
If you would like any further information on this excellent toolkit please contact Barnardos Fencehouses on 0191 3858673 or e-mail audrey.bewick@barnardos.org.uk
Sunderland CVS EGM and Information Event
When: Tuesday 22 April 2008, 10.00am -12.30 pm
Where: Sunderland CVS
Sunderland CVS Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will be held on 22 April followed by a information and networking event. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet the staff and find out about all the services and support Sunderland CVS can offer.
The event starts at 10.00 am and will be held at Sunderland CVS. Lunch will be provided.
For further information or to book a place please contact Andrea on 0191 565 1566 or email: andrea.carr@sunderlandcvs.co.uk.
We would be grateful if you would let us know as soon as possible if you are able to attend the event. Please could you respond by 11 April.
’STRICTLY COME THINKING’ – URBAN FORUM MEMBER EVENTS
Come and join other Urban Forum members and get the latest low-down on government policy, share experience and good practice and help influence our work and national policy. Put on your ‘thinking shoes’ and book your free place now!
Midlands - May 20th (Nottingham, Castle Cavendish)
South - May 21st, (Reading, International Centre)
North - June 5th, (Durham Country Cricket Club)
To book your place, email info@urbanforum.org.uk telling us which event you want to attend and any access or dietary requirements you may have. Or for more details visit www.urbanforum.org.uk
 “Exploring a collective model for VCS contracting with the LSC and other funders”
You are invited to a major regional event, hosted jointly by LSC North East and VONNE.
1.00pm to 3.15pm on Thursday 24th April 2008 At Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham
Please note, this is a follow-up to the event held at Durham County Cricket Club on 22nd January
To book your place, please complete the registration form and return to lesley@vonne.org.uk by Friday 18th April 2008. Places are limited and you will be notified asap if you have been allocated a place.
On 22nd January, representatives from 70 North East VCS organisations attended an event exploring how they could work collaboratively to increase their success at winning LSC and other contracts to provide skills and employability services. A task and finish group was set up to explore a number of alternative approaches to collaborative working, which met several times during February and March.
At this event, the task and finish group will report back on its findings and recommend a contracting model it believes will benefit VCS organisations and service users, at the same time as meeting the needs of funders.
This is your chance to find out more about the proposed new approach and ensure you are involved from the start.
Jo Curry, Policy and Development Manager
VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East)
9th Floor, Cale Cross, 156 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6SU
Tel: 0191 233 2000
Website: www.vonne.org.uk
Letter from Alan Patchett - Age Concern
Age Concern Sunderland
Bradbury Centre
Stockton Road
Sunderland
SR2 7AQ
T: 0191 5141131
E: enquiries@acsunderland.org.uk
4th April 2008
Dear Colleague
Local Involvement Network (LINk)
I am delighted to inform you that we have won the contract to act as host organisation to the new Local Involvement Network for health and social care.
The LINk is a very important development in the city which will enable all citizens to contribute their voices on the issues and services that affect them in relation to health and social care in the city.
Age Concern Sunderland previously delivered support to the Patient and Public Involvement in Health Forums in Sunderland and we shall draw on that experience to ensure the success on the LINk. We have started the recruitment process for staff and the LINk will be based at a separate office at 24 Stockton Road, Sunderland.
I do hope you will support the LINk and we look forward to working with your organisation in the future to achieve the best health and social care outcomes for the people of Sunderland.
Please feel free to circulate this letter to anyone who may be interested.
Yours sincerely
Alan Patchett
Alan Patchett
Director
 Sunderland Community Network
We will be holding our next Members Meeting on Thursday 17th April at the Sunderland CVS Training Suite, 134-136 High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 1XD.
The meeting will begin promptly at 10.30am and will end at 12.30pm. If you would like to join other members and Network staff for coffee before hand, the doors will be open from 10am.
The Annual Event was a great success and the feedback received from both Members and other Community & Voluntary groups is invaluable.
We would like to take this opportunity to receive feedback and discuss the priorities for the next six months from you at the forthcoming meeting.
So, your attendance will be very much appreciated.
Click here to view agenda for the meeting.
Please can you reply by 9th April whether will be attending or not.
Thanks & Regards,
Niki Mackay, Sunderland Community Network Administrator
Telephone - 0191 565 1566
Email: niki.mackay@sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk
Website: www.sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk
Letter from Jeannett Harold, Sunderland Community Network
April 2008
Dear Members,
Over the last year we have concentrated on getting the views of our members to the decision makers in both local and national government on issues which were already on the table. This has meant that we have had to garner a view from Sunderland VCS on the priorities as they saw it from the perspective of their clients, their organisation and their own experiences.
I now want to focus on the priorities of the network as an organisation over the next six months and be more pro active on the issues for debate.
The feedback from the workshops tells us that the Network is needed within Sunderland and gives us our agenda for the next 6 months that is:
· Promote the access structure of the Network from a local individual through a local group, through a local forum to the network.
· Develop an engagement strategy and improve communication
· Develop the final shape of the Network for the future – stand alone or host organisation
· Strengthen the identity of the Network from the SCVS
· Membership Drive as well as clarifying our current reach to organisations.
· Formalise SCN appointments to national and regional organisations.
I will be developing our six months work plan around these issues and presenting it to the steering group and members as soon as possible. I look forward to our continued positive working relationship
I would also like to inform you that we have a new member of staff taking the place of Niki Mackay who leaves us today, 4th April 2008, she is Christine Jones and will be taking up her post on the 14th April.
I would like to thank Niki very much for her input and support to the network on behalf of the membership.
Kind regards
Jeanette Harold, Coordinator
Digital Challenge New Project Manager - James Mackintosh
As a Project Manager, James is responsible for the delivery/management of specific projects within Sunderland City Council's Digital Challenge.
James has extensive experience within the Digital Marketing industry, spending several years as a Digital Marketing Consultant specifically targeting the email/web environments. He also worked for a top London advertising agency, managing all of the Regional Marketing covering Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
James graduated from Sunderland University with a 2:1 honours degree in Interactive Media and holds a CIM Professional Diploma.
Outside of work James lives a very active lifestyle that includes the Gym, playing Football and Outdoor pursuits that includes Sea Angling (scouring our local coastline for that big catch).
This year is also important in James life as he is taking the big step in Marriage at a local Sunderland venue in October. James can be contacted on his email - James.Mackintosh@sunderland.gov.uk
Easington Lane Illumination Switch on Event
Monday 26th November 2007 saw the second annual switch on of the Community memorial Christmas tree and Street Lights in Easington Lane. It was estimated that there was over 150 people at the celebrations which were switched on by two local young people. Nominations had taken place prior to the event. Megan and Conner Brass were chosen and were delighted to have been asked.
The choir from Easington Lane Primary School started the celebrations with two Christmas Carols followed by a speech from the Mayor of Sunderland, who commented on why he felt this tree was such a special one as it represented the massive amount of community spirit in the area.
The memorial tree was a pilot project by Easington Lane Action Group run solely by volunteers and led by young people from the community. Young people started off the fundraising in October 2002 by hosting their own Mc night with all ticket sales going towards the Fundraising of the Memorial Tree. They chose the theme for this as they felt it would be better respected if every-one felt part of the project. They came up with the idea of selling small memorial cards which families and young people could write messages on for loved ones past and present to be hung on the tree. Small children could also write a card out as a wish list for Santa or even to name a star.
Over the years there have been donations made by Hetton Town Council, The local Independent Methodist Church, Community chest and local people themselves. Community Fetes and Fun days have also played a key part in this project as all profits and proceeds over the past 7 years have contributed to this Christmas celebration.
The project is now being led by young people from “The Flatts Youth Centre” which hopes to see the project grow and develop and buy further lights for the High Street for Christmas 2008.
On behalf of the young people from Easington Lane I would like to thank every-one for their support in making this such a successful and emotional celebration event.
Donna Brass Centre Based Youth Manager.
Sunderland Strategy – FIRST DRAFT CONSULTATION
This is Sunderland’s Sustainable Community Strategy. It sets out the vision and aspirations for the city and its people for the next 15 years (or for 2025). It will be delivered through actions that will benefit everyone who lives, studies, works in or visits our city. It is the framework for the partners across the city to improve Sunderland’s economic, social and environmental fabric.
The Sunderland Partnership (Sunderland’s Local Strategic Partnership) has produced the strategy with input from partner organisations and residents.
The Sunderland Partnership is made up of agencies that deliver public services, community and voluntary organisations and the private sector. Partners work together to tackle some of the challenges facing the city that matter most to Sunderland people to bring about long-term improvements and change lives for the better.
This strategy updates the Sunderland Strategy 2004 – 2007. The revised vision for the city, and how to achieve it, has been agreed after extensive consultation with hundreds of people who have the interests of Sunderland at heart. It focuses on issues that residents have told us are the most important to them, as well as those factors which contribute to new people wanting to live, work or study here – it is a strategy for everyone.
A great deal within the 2004-2007 strategy has been achieved, particularly in relation to the city’s improved economy, and new issues have emerged and reshaped the vision for the next 15 years (or for 2025).
The new strategy is the framework for all partners to deliver the vision, but it is not a strategy in isolation. Sunderland is part of the Tyne and Wear City Region playing a major role as an economic driver in North East England. The Sunderland Strategy supports the development of the City Region, and fits within regional and sub regional frameworks and strategies including the Regional Economic and Spatial Strategies.
In determining a vision, aims and priorities for the city’s long term future, the Strategy also sets the context for our Local Area Agreement 2008-2011 which identifies key targets for improvement in relation to health, education, inclusion, employment and so on.
Building on the significant success achieved so far, we have great ambitions for Sunderland’s future and are committed to working together towards common goals to ensure that Sunderland is a place where anyone would choose to live, work, invest or visit.
Cllr Bob Symonds - Leader of Sunderland City Council
The Reverend Canon Stephen Taylor - Chair of Sunderland Partnership
The FIRST draft of the Sunderland Strategy is now available for consultation for a period of one month (Comments back by the 21st Jan). This document is the product of a vast range of views, comments, agendas and input and as such will require considerable further development at the start of the new year.
All sections of the strategy have been drafted - some more outline than others, depending on the availability of information at this stage and on whether debates on issues have been concluded, for example work continues on the wording of the vision and aims, at the start of the document.
In considering the draft the important section to focus on is section four, which contains information around the priorities and provides suggested key objectives. It is important that we get these correct as these provide the context for the development of specific LAA targets. The priority chapters are still being progressed, and the inclusion of some priority chapters as cross cutting issues has been done as a first attempt, by the policy team.
Comments are of course welcome on all sections of the document.
I hope this is clear but please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions
Claire Rogers, Policy Officer, Corporate Policy Team, Office of the Chief Executive, Sunderland City Council, Tel: (0191) 561 1186 Email: claire.rogers@sunderland.gov.uk
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST DRAFT
Northumbria Police - News from your Neighbourhood - Hetton and Houghton
Please click here to view the first edition of 'News From Your Neighbourhood'.
Please forward on to colleagues and friends in your area and if you have
any queries or comments e-mail
sunderland.news-from-your-neighbourhood@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.
The second edition will be sent to you in March 2008.
Things to see & do in Sunderland in March 2008 - Switched On
Switched on is compiled and produced by Sunderland’s award winning Sunderland Tourist Information Centre every month and contain what's going on in Sunderland.
To see what's going on this month, please click here
For more details contact 50 Fawcett Street, Sunderland SR1 1RF
Telephone: 0191 553 2000 Email: tourist.info@sunderland.gov.uk
Wearside Photos
Wearsidephotos.co.uk offers a comprehensive collection of images professional taken in and around the Sunderland area.
The gallery is constantly growing with the addition of new and archive photographs.
To view website click here
SUNDERLAND WINS £3M TO BRIDGE THE SOCIAL AND DIGITAL DIVIDE
Sunderland was today unveiled as the winner of Communities and Local Government’s Digital Challenge competition and will receive £3m to deliver its plans for a digitally enabled community that will benefit some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people in the area.
As the winner of the Digital Challenge, Sunderland is now recognised as an example in how ICT technologies can be used to tackle social exclusion.
Sunderland’s proposals will see its community benefiting from a number of initiatives such as Community e-Champions working in their local area to help vulnerable people access computer and internet services, helping children at risk of underachieving at Key Stage 3 and an e-mentoring scheme working for children and young people. The bid will also meet the needs of carers and looked after children through a walkie talkie and panic buttons.
The Digital Challenge saw cities, towns and regions outline their visions for a digitally enabled society designed to better meet the needs of local communities and citizens. Since the finalists were announced last year, the ten regional partnerships have been working together and have formed the DC10.
Minister for Local e-Government, Angela Smith, said:
“Digital Inclusion is about more than new technologies. It is an opportunity to solve problems and improve the lives of people in our communities. As the winner of the Digital Challenge, Sunderland should be seen as an example of how the social and digital divide can be bridged and serve as a blueprint for local partnerships for the future.
“All the finalists have led the way in the UK and should be seen as true regional digital inclusion champions. Together as the new DC10 they will continue to galvanise thinking, unleash creativity and raise the agenda, both locally and nationally.”
Communities and Local Government has also launched a new look Digital Challenge & Inclusion Network website at Sunderland and the ‘Digital Landscape’ document a snapshot of projects pushing the digital agenda across the UK.
With the ten finalists moving from being competitors to collaborators the Digital Challenge is an example of how a cross-Government, cross-sector initiative can flourish. ICT is now firmly embedded as an enabler for social inclusion in the government’s Local Government White Paper for the delivery of the Local Area Agreements and Local Strategic Partnerships targets, as well as within the Transformation Government agenda and within the Varney Report.
For further information on Sunderland, the Digital Challenge and the other nine national finalists please visit www.digitalchallenge.gov.uk
Click here to view the webcast of the announcement of the Digital Challenge Winner
NOTE: Webcast basically means a transmission of audio and video over the Internet.
Houghton Wheeled Skate Park
Youngsters in the Houghton Area are one stage closer to enjoying a £80,000 wheeled sports facility thanks to an accepted application for funding of £51,000 form Barclays Spaces For Sport. This funding has ensured that the project will now become a reality for young people in the coalfield area.
Back in 2005, 350 youngsters presented a signed petition to Sunderland City Council requesting a skatepark. Possible locations and designs were discussed and youngsters, community beat officers and parents attended a meeting completing questionnaires helping to identify how a wheeled sports park may help overcome and reduce anti social issues.
Sunderland City Council and the youngsters submitted ideas and aspirations to the Youth Matters Team in November 2006 applying for further funding to help with the development. On 22 January 2007 The Youth Opportunity & Youth Capital Fund application was successful securing a further £25,000 for Sunderland City Council’s skatepark project.
This funding will provide a specific focus to respond to the governments Youth Matters agenda and putting youth led initiatives in the hands of the young people supporting the development.
The skatepark will encourage the hard to reach and disadvantaged young people aged 13-19 years to take part in sport and improve their health, bring people together and strengthen community spirit. The project will work to ensure long term activity on the facilities and will provide kit and equipment for residents to take part and make the most out of the new sport facility.
Cllr Speding, Member with portfolio for Culture & Leisure commented:
“This is a much-needed facility, which will provide the young people of Houghton and surrounding areas with a safe and enjoyable place with the new focus to spend spare time with friends and help towards leading an active lifestyle.
A Youth Board has been established with both young volunteers and four employed Youth Advocates aged 16-19 years who will provide peer support help decide where best to award the £750,000. In the next two years this funding will help fill gaps in youth provision in Sunderland.
Karen Swainston, Barclays Head of Community Relations for the North East, added:
“ Barclays Spaces for Sports will create and improve hundreds of new sports sites up and down the country. Our aim is to have a significant and long-lasting impact on local communities and grassroots sports throughout the many years to come”
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