This is where you’ll find all of the latest news from VODA.
Apply Now for North Shields 800 Community Grants
As part of the ongoing North Shields 800 celebrations, two small grant programmes are now open to support creative, community-led projects that explore and celebrate the town’s rich heritage. These grants are designed to help individuals and organisations deliver new, North Shields 800-themed activities and events that engage local people and create a lasting legacy. The National Lottery Heritage Fund – Community Small Grants Grants of £500 to £1,000 are available for: Not-for-profit organisations Private
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.
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
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
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 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
Restructuring Advisors Expect Challenges To Continue For Charity Sector In 2025
The number of charities facing financial difficulty is expected to rise this year due to an unprecedented demand for support against a backdrop of increasing costs and reduced income. That is the view of a North East restructuring expert, Chris Ferguson, who is Director of Recovery & Insolvency at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors based in Gosforth, Newcastle. The charity sector continued to see high levels of distress in
North Tyneside Mental Health Alliance Celebratory and Networking Event
The North Tyneside Mental Health Alliance was established in 2022 to build a place-based alliance of voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations (VCSE), ready for partnership working and procurement. It is funded by North Tyneside Integrated Care Board as part of its Community Mental Health Transformation Plan, managed by VODA and currently has 47 member organisations. In November, the Alliance organised a Celebratory and Networking event and 74 delegates
Embracing Home-Based Volunteering: A New Era of Community Involvement
As the world changes, so does the way we volunteer. The rise of remote work and digital connectivity has made home-based volunteering a powerful way to contribute without leaving your home. This modern approach offers flexibility while meeting the diverse needs and interests of volunteers. Here’s everything you need to know about home-based volunteering, its benefits, and how you can get started. What is Home-Based Volunteering? Home-based volunteering includes a
16 Days of Action in North Tyneside
Walking on eggshells? There are many forms of domestic abuse including coercive control, psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, financial, harassment, stalking, online and digital abuse. We will believe you. That’s the message from North Tyneside Council to reassure people that help and support is available for anyone who is experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse. 16 days of action in North Tyneside To highlight the issue of domestic abuse and encourage
Home Energy Advice: North East
Home Energy Advice North East is available to households across the North East to help them reduce their energy bills through installing energy saving home improvements. The website offers advice and information and links to local installers, grants and funding. Plus, you can create a home energy action plan tailored to your home. All the support is impartial and delivered by the experts at Energy Saving Trust, with expert advice
