CHILD POVERTY: EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS Welcome to Newcastle Sally Young, Chief Executive Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service

SUNNY NEWCASTLE Regional capital of the North East Britain’s Greenest City (Nov 2009) A three star authority (Feb 2008) Eighth best party city in the world Renowned for innovative arts and culture – Dance City, Centre for Children’s Book Newcastle is top Student City (July 2008)

AND NOT SO SUNNY 37 th most deprived local authority IMD in 4 people live in the 10% most deprived areas in the country 12.6 year difference between highest lowest wards for life expectancy at birth Unemployment rate is 50% higher than UK average 15.9% claiming out of work benefits, in some neighbourhoods this is 33%.

A CHANGING NEWCASTLE 27% of babies born in Newcastle are to mothers not born in the UK 40,000 students (273,000 population) Rising numbers of older people, particularly those with a limiting long term illness Increase in numbers of people with disabilities

VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY Over 2,200 voluntary and community groups in Newcastle A number of these are small ’under the radar’ organisations (Northern Rock Foundation) Around 900 properly constituted groups There are a high number of regional organisations based in the City (30% of NE) Probably around £70 million of voluntary and community sector expenditure in Newcastle (mainly on employing people to deliver services)

TYPES OF ORGANISATION We talk about the voluntary and community sector (VCS) Large - a lot of contracting and social care and other provision (income over £1m), Medium – mixture of contracts and grants and employ staff (income of £10,000- to £1million) Small ones (largest number) with probably no employed staff and minimal income

ADDED VALUE OF VCS Close to communities Trusted by communities Flexible and responsive Not bureaucratic (most) Lower costs than statutory services Non-profit making status attractive People involved – trustees, volunteers, workers Do the stuff no-one else can/ wants to Run by people who understand the issues

REFLECTING COMMUNITIES Inform decision-making Reality check Ensure services reflect / meet real needs Highlight needs and gaps in provision Better decision-making reduces costs Holding to account Equality and diversity – hidden voices Respond quickly to changing communities

For every 100 children and young people in Newcastle 51 are male, 49 are female 19 are from a black or minority ethnic group 16 have a first language other than English 5 are less than 1 year old 31 are aged years old 32 are living in households in ‘poverty’ 25 are registered for free school meals 1 is in care and 0.6 subject to a child protection plan 8 of the children of school age have an identified special educational need that requires specialist support; and a further 16 need extra help with learning

Of those 100 children and young people in Newcastle 74 will leave school with 5 or more good GCSEs 42 will have 5 or more good GCSEs that include English and maths 86 young people will be in education and work based learning at 17 years old 2 of the girls will get pregnant before they are 18 2 children and young people will end up in trouble with the police 9 children and young people may have a mental health problem 33 will be obese or overweight at the age of 5 years 3 might be caring for siblings or a parent 54 want to go on to university when they leave school 42 have taken part in free leisure activities through FUSION (check 0-19 or 5-19) 74 say they are happy about life

References Figures on Children from Newcastle Children’s Trust Figures on Newcastle residents from Newcastle Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Figures on voluntary and community sector from Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service