North Tyneside Volunteering Update
Explore the variety of volunteering opportunities in North Tyneside. Whether you want to enhance your skills, make a community impact, or connect with like-minded individuals, there is something for everyone.
You can search for all available volunteering opportunities on our online database, or take a look at our round-up below.
New Fundraising Code: What You Need to Know Before November
In this edition of the Governance Blog, we’re reminding VCSE organisations that the new Code of Fundraising Practice will come into effect on 1 November 2025. The Fundraising Regulator has published a revised version of the Code, designed to be clearer, more concise, and easier to navigate. It reflects a more modern and adaptable approach to fundraising standards and is significantly shorter than the previous version. You can read the new Code here: Code of Fundraising Practice
Celebrating the Unsung Heroes Behind Local Charities
As we head into summer, we wanted to spread a short, good news story in this issue of our governance blog! The Interim Chair of the Charity Commission, Mark Simms OBE, has recently released a statement on the Charity Commission Blog to say a big “Thank You” to all the trustees and other volunteers across England and Wales. In his article, which you can read in full here, Mark points
EE and BT Support Local Charities Through Community Challenge 2025
We’re delighted to announce that EE and BT have chosen two outstanding local charities to support as part of their 2025 Community Challenge initiative. This year’s programme will see significant investment of time and resources, with thousands of volunteer hours pledged by employees to help transform community spaces and services. This exciting initiative has been developed through our Sector Connector project, which brings together the voluntary, community and social enterprise
Free High Speed Training for Volunteers & Trustees
Thanks to funding from UKSPF and the North East Combined Authority, VODA is pleased to offer free online training courses for volunteers and trustees through High Speed Training. High Speed Training is an online platform that provides fully accredited training courses. These courses can be accessed via your computer, laptop, or smartphone and completed within 2-3 hours. To be eligible to access the free training, you must be: A volunteer
Refugee Week and Beyond: Ways to Support People Seeking Sanctuary
“We can begin the process of making community wherever we are. We can begin by sharing a smile, a warm greeting, a bit of conversation; by doing a kind deed or by acknowledging kindness offered to us.” – bell hooks Refugee Week (16–22 June) is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. This year’s theme is Community as
Trustee Recruitment: Updated Advice from the Charity Commission
The Charity Commission has refreshed its trustee recruitment guidance (CC30) to help charities connect with a wider range of candidates and remove common barriers to becoming a trustee. This update follows research by the regulator and think tank Pro Bono Economics, which revealed that only 6% of trustees applied for their role via an advert. In contrast, over half of charities relied on personal contacts to recruit new trustees, potentially
Adopt North East Calls for Forever Homes for Over 30 Local Children
Adopt North East is calling for forever homes for more than 30 local children waiting for adoption today. The powerful new image released shows 25 staff members standing together – each one representing a child or sibling group currently waiting to be adopted in the North East. The poignant image is part of a new campaign to highlight the growing need for adoptive families in the region. Each adult in
Volunteers’ Week 2025: How You Can Make a Difference in North Tyneside
Looking to meet new people, learn new skills or give something back to your community? This Volunteers’ Week (2–8 June), there are lots of ways to get involved and make a difference in North Tyneside – whether you have an hour to spare or more time to offer. From in-person roles to virtual support, one-off opportunities or regular commitments, there’s something to suit everyone. Join the Virtual Volunteer Fair Wednesday
NT LIFE Update: A New Chapter Begins
We’re proud to share some fantastic news from NT LIFE Recovery College – with guidance and support from VODA, we’ve reached two major milestones: we are now a registered charity, and we’re moving into a brand-new, more accessible premises in North Shields. Becoming a charity is a big step forward for NT LIFE. It means greater sustainability, more opportunities to grow, and stronger partnerships across the community. It’s also a
Free Online Training for the Voluntary and Community Sector
Are you involved in a charity, community group or voluntary organisation? Whether you’re a trustee, volunteer, or staff member, the Elements Training Portal offers a wide range of free online courses designed to support people working across the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. Created by North Tyneside VODA, Connected Voice, and Northumberland CVA, these high-quality courses are flexible, accessible and tailored to meet the needs of the sector.
From the Comfort of Your Home Micro Volunteering
VODA has created a new, home-based activity, ‘From the Comfort of Your Home’, designed to take no more than an hour of your time. We’re inviting the local community to support the charity ‘From Me to You’ by writing a postcard/ letter to someone living with cancer. These letters can help to ease the feelings of loneliness and social isolation that often come with the illness. Your letter pack will
Charity Mergers: What Are They, and When Should You Consider One?
With growing interest in mergers across the voluntary sector, this issue of our Governance Blog explores what a charity merger involves and why it might be the right step for your organisation. What is a Charity Merger? The Charity Commission states that a merger of charities usually means two or more legally separate charities coming together to form one charity under one governing document and one body of trustees. In
There’s a New Kind of Superhero in North Tyneside! Why Not Grab Your Cape and Join Them?
Are you aged 18 or under? Are you ready to make an impact, learn new skills, and meet amazing people? Volunteering is your chance to help your local community and perhaps change the world while changing your life for the better! There are many volunteering roles across North Tyneside suitable for under-18s. The team from the North Tyneside Volunteer Centre has put together this blog highlighting what is out there, as
Mental Heath Alliance Funded for a Further Two Years!
The North Tyneside Mental Health Alliance was established in 2022 to build a place-based alliance of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations ready for partnership working and procurement. Our mission is to build a strong, accessible VCSE Mental Health Alliance that influences and supports emerging mental health strategies. We want to increase confidence within the VCSE sector to be recognised as equal partners with statutory colleagues and ensure the sector has a voice. We are delighted
New Right to Neonatal Care Leave and Pay – What You Need to Know
From 6 April 2025, a new workplace right will allow parents of babies in neonatal care to take extra time off work. Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of neonatal care leave on top of their existing parental leave if their baby is admitted to the hospital within the first 28 days of birth and stays for at least seven full days. This right follows the Neonatal Care
What is the Charity Governance Code?
Charity Governance Code: Ongoing Review and Updates In this issue of our Governance Blog, we discuss the ongoing review of the Charity Governance Code following public consultation and input from the Charity Law Association’s working group. The updated Code is expected to be published soon, with changes aimed at making it more accessible for small and medium-sized charities. What is the Charity Governance Code? The Code is a practical tool
New Skills, New Friends: The Hidden Benefits of Volunteering
Have you ever thought about volunteering but weren’t sure if it was for you? Volunteering isn’t just about helping others (though that’s brilliant too), it offers opportunities that can benefit you. If you’re looking to build your confidence, learn new skills or grow as an individual, volunteering offers a platform that can help you achieve these goals. From getting your hands dirty in community gardens to helping people navigate technology,
Reflecting on North of Tyne Volunteering: Achievements and Future Plans
This week, we gathered with partners and volunteers to celebrate the North of Tyne Volunteering Project, reflecting on its successes and looking ahead to 2025. The North of Tyne Volunteering Project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, was set up in 2021 by North Tyneside VODA, Connected Voice, North Tyneside Volunteer Centre, Volunteer Centre Newcastle and Northumberland Community and Voluntary Action, to improve support for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations across Newcastle, North Tyneside,
Community Grant to the Rescue for Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter
Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter in Longbenton has a brand new roof on its main admin building, as well as a new purpose-built volunteer hub, thanks to a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The shelter’s team of staff had been working with a gaping hole in the roof and no suitable space where they could base their volunteers. Now they have a pristine new roof complete with
