From peer support groups for people suffering with arthritis to cycling support for children and families, voluntary sector organisations are beginning an important programme of work to help tackle health inequalities across North Tyneside.
A new Health Inequalities Grant Programme, developed by members of the Better Together group, has awarded grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 to fourteen Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations. Funding has been provided by NHS North East and North Cumbria (formerly North Tyneside CCG) and North Tyneside Council, with the grant programme being administered by VODA.
All funded activities focus on delivering outcomes relating to the key themes of the recently published Equally Well strategy for North Tyneside – ‘Equal life chances for all’, ‘Thriving places and communities’ and ‘Maintaining independence’.
The grants programme aims to be more than just an offer of funding. In order to build an evidence base of what works and to help identify scalable solutions, all successful applicants will attend six-monthly learning and development sessions delivered in partnership with Goodlabs – a local management consultancy that helps charitable organisations to enhance their social impact.
Case Studies
Rights. Justice. Action: IWD 2026 North East
This International Women’s Day, there’s so much happening right on our doorstep. The UN theme for IWD 2026 is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” — and the north east’s incredible women’s sector is answering that call with events happening across the region throughout March. 7 March A is for Amy — Film […]
Crawford Park Crowned Bowls Club of the Year 2025
There was national recognition for North Tyneside this weekend as Crawford Park Lawn Bowls Club in Monkseaton, Whitley Bay was named Club of the Year 2025 at the Bowls England National Awards, held in Leicester. Chosen from more than 2,400 clubs across England, the award celebrates a club that is not only thriving on the […]
Governance Blog: Updated Guidance on Reporting Serious Incidents
The Charity Commission has updated its guidance on reporting serious incidents to reflect changes under the Charities Act 2022. This updated advice is essential reading for trustees and charity leaders to ensure compliance and maintain transparency. The duty to report The Charity Commission requires charities to report serious incidents promptly, fully and honestly. If such […]
Article: Practical AI and Ethics – Lessons from Our February Workshop
Artificial Intelligence is changing how charities and community organisations work. Our Practical AI Implementation and Ethics workshop on 11 February 2026, led by Kate Watson of AskMrsWatson.com, helped local charities and community groups understand how to use it safely, responsibly and with confidence. The session mixed live demonstrations of tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot with open […]
Central Social and Recreational Trust
The Central Social and Recreational Trust aims to improve opportunities for young people in England by supporting sports clubs that work with those under the age of 21, particularly where poverty may limit access to recreational or leisure activities. The Trust offers grants—typically up to £1,500—to help clubs purchase shared equipment or carry out maintenance […]
Banks Property Grassroots Fund
The Banks Property Grassroots Fund is offering grants of up to £2,000 to support community and environmental projects located near current or proposed Banks Group developments in the North of England. The fund aims to help local groups deliver small‑scale initiatives that strengthen communities, enhance local environments, and create lasting positive impact for residents. Eligible […]
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
The Postcode Neighbourhood Trust is offering grants of up to £50,000 to support organisations working to improve the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised people across England, Scotland and Wales. Funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the Trust supports hundreds of grassroots charities contributing to poverty reduction, mental health support, arts participation, and tackling […]
Health and Wellbeing in Museums Fund
Grants of £50,000 to £75,000 are available to museums across the UK to support the development or continuation of health and wellbeing programmes through the Museums Association’s Health and Wellbeing Fund. Applicants must show a strong track record in delivering health and wellbeing work to the wider community, a clear organisational commitment to this area, […]
The Speech, Language and Hearing Foundation
Funding is available to small UK-registered charities that support children with speech, language, or hearing difficulties. The Speech, Language and Hearing Foundation provides grants for education, therapy, and research that improve the lives of children facing communication challenges or complex developmental needs. Previous grants have funded part-time speech and language therapists in disadvantaged schools, postgraduate […]
The Weavers’ Company
UK charities and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) are invited to apply for grants to support initiatives that help young offenders, former offenders, and other disadvantaged young people secure pathways to meaningful employment and community engagement. In some cases, applications from community interest companies (CICs) may also be considered. The programme offers two funding streams: small […]
Work funded
- Tyneside and Northumberland MIND – support people with mental health problems to improve their physical and mental health and to manage their conditions through exercise.
- Whitley Bay Islamic Cultural Centre – creation of a new community gym.
- Linskill Trust – deliver community nutritionist led cooking sessions for parents and carers.
- North East Autism Society – support children and their families to address the health and care inequalities faced by autistic people.
- LD North East – support people with learning disabilities to access health services and overcome barriers to taking part in physical activities
- Versus Arthritis – set up a local volunteer-led support group for people with arthritis
- Quadrant Leisure CIC – offers opportunities, support, and advice to individuals to improve their lifestyles and to make informed choices about their health.
- Shiremoor Adventure Playground – support local children and their families to cycle to the adventure playground using the wagon-way. Will also offer cycling proficiency and maintenance sessions, bikes and equipment will be provided and at the end of the programme families will be able to access free, or low cost children’s bikes.
- Deaf Awareness NE – offer accessible health and fitness sessions to deaf and hard of hearing people.
- Smile Through Sport – provide disability specific sessions solely for autistic young people and work with recently disabled adults to fill a gap that has been created by the pandemic.
- MHA Communities North Tyneside – support older people who are referred from the local enablement service who are lonely and isolated. Volunteers will build a positive relationship with the older people, helping them access their community.
- Out of Sight – offer a range of social activities to reduce social isolation amongst the older people it supports, alongside healthy lifestyle support.
- Age UK North Tyneside – support hard to reach older people and those older people whose health is poor, or complex. It will work with four community venues to deliver singing, dancing, technology and cooking activities, setting up 12 new weekly groups.
- Support and Grow North East – set up 15 Cuppa Clubs across North Tyneside, where people experiencing loneliness, isolation and / or have mental health issues can access support.
- Peer Talk – develop more peer support groups for people with mental health problems.