A community centre that houses a rich mix of charities and community projects for an ethnically diverse clientele is now able to reach out further into the community offering classes, workshops and early years sessions.
Riverside Community Health Project in Benwell received the £100,000 boost from the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), headed by Metro Mayor Jamie Driscoll. It means it can now deliver many more activities to local families.– many of them from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities.
The historic Carnegie Building in Newcastle’s West End already offers social spaces that range of practical, educational, and well-being activities for children and families.
The key services are free of charge and range from antenatal support for new mothers to welfare rights advice and vital First Aid training.
It also provides office space for several small grassroots charities, such as ‘Sidestep’, which works closely with young people at risk of criminal exploitation.
These range from English Language classes to healthy eating and early years sessions to employment support and accredited training.
The money comes as part of a wider £1.5 million investment, by the NTCA, into community-led work across Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland – a promise set out in Mayor Driscoll’s election manifesto.
During a recent visit, the elected Mayor and dad of two was moved by stories of local families who told him how the centre had supported them during difficult lockdown months.
At a bustling ‘stay and play session, local grandmother, Mary, explained how such sessions had bolstered the confidence of her 18-month-old granddaughter, who was previously unable to socialise with other children because of COVID-19 restrictions.
She said: “She was really shy, she hadn't mixed, coming to the centre had really helped her come on in confidence and has given me the chance to meet other people and socialise."
Christine, the hub’s finance and operations manager, said: "When I first came to the centre, with my six-week-old daughter. She enjoyed singing and I had heard there was a community choir in the building. It was there I struck up a relationship with staff who convinced me to go to college and gain new skills."
She has been working for the hub for over two decades. She said: “There’s never been a day when I’ve hated my job, what we do is very, very worthwhile.
"I love working at Riverside and love to see people progressing and the difference it can make to peoples’ lives.
"There are so many success stories about people who came to Riverside for a range of activities, from early years support to training and volunteering. One of the things I really like about Riverside is its ability to change to meet the needs of the community."
Mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “Supporting people early on can steer that teenager away from a potential life of crime. We can help older residents who may be lonely and isolated to maintain their independence. We can save that struggling jobseeker from the mental and financial crisis.
“Community centres like these are lifelines for helping local people. We’ll save ourselves a fortune and ensure everyone can participate in our society.”
