Volunteer Praised for Efforts
Volunteers in South Tyneside who gave up their time to help others have had their efforts recognised.
Dozens of people who support community groups and charities were invited to the Central Library, South Shields, for the event organised by the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).
The event was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Council Richard Porthouse and his wife Patricia, and followed an afternoon drop- in session for people looking for volunteering opportunities or advice on funding.
Presentations were also given by some of South Tyneside’s volunteer groups.
Volunteer centre coordinator Ian Carr said “The funding fair was well attended and hopefully people saw it as useful. As for the awards it was really nice to see so many people at the event.
“The awards were to recognise and celebrate our volunteers in South Tyneside and to say thank you to them for helping to make South Tyneside a better place to live".
“They are selfless people who give up their own time to help others without asking for anything in return so these awards is our way of saying thank you “.
The night was opened by CVS trustee Pat Morris with all those nominated receiving a certificate of recognition.
Awards were also given to South Tyneside Community Food Bank, Re-Design Recycling and Volunteers Supporting Families Project South Tyneside. Volunteer of the Year awards was presented to John Brennan from the Action Stations.
Councillor Porthouse said: “Volunteers give up their time free of charge to deliver their within the community which without their time and dedication, many of the organisation would not be able to offer the same level of service that they do".
“Volunteers are often the unsung heroes within our community and these awards are about recognising and saying thank you for everything that they do”
Staff at the CVS hope the awards will become an annual event.
Tyne Gateway are delivering the 'Lads and Dads' Project
Tyne Gateway Trust is an award winning charity, working primarily in North and South Tyneside to support families through early intervention and the development of new enterprising community-led solutions.
We adopt a ‘Barefoot Professional’ approach meaning that we recruit, train and employ local parents who have experienced something and who, therefore, understand what it means to go through that experience. Their knowledge enables them to then support other families and together they work in a unique way to find realistic and sustainable solutions.
We have secured Big Lottery funding to develop and deliver a ‘Lads and Dads’ project that will run for 3 years and will see us supporting young parents, particularly young fathers, in a range of skills including routines, play, bonding, keeping a family home and moving towards training and employment. It will focus on supporting these parents in their relationships with the aim that children can benefit from joking parenting as they grow and develop. Working alongside the established and successful Tyne Gateway team, our new Community Entrepreneurs, working on this project, will aim to improve the lives of children through supporting dads.
We are currently seeking nominations from professionals for parents, especially dads, who may be eligible for one of four full time employments posts, or a number of volunteer roles, across the two boroughs. All nominees will need to meet the criteria of having themselves experienced difficulty and will have overcome that difficulty to become a good role model. They will need to commit to attending our bespoke eight week training course and, following that, will be invited to apply for posts as employees or volunteers.
We believe this project will make a huge difference to improved outcomes for children through whole family support and developing skills in fathers and we are hugely excited about it.
If you know of any young parents, particularly young fathers, who meet our criteria, and who may be interested in training with us, please complete the attached nomination form and return it to me as soon as possible. If you would like a discussion about the process or the criteria, or simply to discuss a specific nominee then please contact Team Leader, Julie Croft, on 07927 481 198 or via Julie@tynegatewaytrust.co.uk
World Mental Health Day “Question Time” Panel at South Shields Library
This is your chance to ask a panel of health professionals important questions about mental health and wellbeing.
When: - Friday 9th October 2015 at 9.30am
Where: - South Shields Central Library (basement cinema)
Who will be on the panel?
Dr David Hambleton (Chair)
Chief Officer NHS South Tyneside Clinical commissioning Group
Dr James Gordon
(Mental Health Lead – South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group)
Clinical Director Mental Health and Learning Disability
Stephen Laverton
Development Manager and Principal Social Worker, Adult Social Care
Melanie Stephenson
Service Manager for Gateshead and South Tyneside, Alzheimer’s Society
John Lawlor
Chief Executive Officer of NTW
Rebecca Campbell
Service manager, children and Young People Community Services
Michelle Sandberg
Project Manager – Carers Services
If you need more information, please contact Carole Watson on 0191 340 4173.
Meeting Rooms Available for hire at South Tyneside CVS
Meeting room (able to seat 10 - 15 people) are currently available to hire at South Tyneside CVS - based at 27 Beach Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 2QA.
Prices start from £5 per hour and includes refreshments.
To make a booking or arrange a viewing please contact South Tyneside CVS reception on 0191 456 9551.
 
| Room Hire Charges from 01/04/14 |
|
| Voluntary (non-funded) |
£5.00 per hour |
| Voluntary (funded) |
£7.50 per hour |
| Social Enterprise/CIC/CIO |
£10.00 per hour |
| Statutory/Agency |
£15.00 per hour |
| Private Companies |
£15.00 per hour |
|
