NCVA has released its Annual Report, as approved by its Annual General Meeting which took place on 30 January 2024 at Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
During the report year, among its work with 495 member bodies, NCVA:
- Delivered £3.24 million of funding to voluntary and community groups in Northumberland and provided funding advice to 99 organisations
- placed 379 people into supported volunteering opportunities and moved 350 from supported to unsupported volunteering
- Delivered weekly ‘Tea and IT’ sessions for older people learning digital skills and provided 237 one-to-one appointments 245 hours of activity time for clients
- Handed out 113 free ‘pay as you go’ SIM cards as part of Vodafone’s everyone.connected campaign, providing six months connectivity to people otherwise excluded from the digital world.
- Provided direct support to 148 voluntary groups in Northumberland
- Handled 1864 community enquiries by email and more than 500 by telephone.
NCVA Chair Executive, Caroline Rogan, said:
“Over the last twelve months, we have faced formidable challenges stemming from reduced funding, increasing demands and limited resources. Undeterred by these hurdles, the NCVA team has exhibited unwavering commitment, addressing the diverse needs of our organisations and the community we serve.
“As the impact of new funding alternatives hits our sector, we have played a pivotal role in disseminating crucial information via social media platforms, and offering support and advice to organisations, individuals, and groups. Serving as a hub for vital infrastructure services to enable the sector to grasp these opportunities and deliver essential services.
“Looking ahead, NCVA will remain unapologetic in showcasing the sector’s work and providing a collaborative information-sharing hub. Our core community action work will receive heightened visibility, emphasizing the value it delivers to communities, people, and places. We will encourage sector involvement in influencing change, responding to calls for evidence, and campaigning for positive transformations”
Chair of NCVA Trustees, Joe Jackson, paid tribute to his predecessor Rodney James, who died in offfice during 2023:
“Rodney was a person of intelligence, intuition, and compassion. His commitment to communities left a tangible impact, especially on WCVS and later on NCVA. We extend our condolences to Rodney’s family and friends; he will be greatly missed.”
He added:
“I emphasise the need to prioritise the community. It’s crucial to convey this message to everyone we encounter. We must collectively be more discerning in understanding the genuine needs of our communities, encompassing economic wellbeing, health, mental wellbeing, tolerance, and efficient ways to support those unable to support themselves.”
The NCVA Annual Report can be downloaded here.