a voice News for rural AUTUMN ISSUE - OCTOBER 2017 communities Charity (no. 1144604) Company limited by guarantee (no. 7805401) www.ca-north.org.uk

New President to be announced at AGM His Grace will formally step down as President at our AGM which takes place at Stannington Village Hall on Wednesday 1 November between 1pm and 4pm. The name of the new President of CAN will be kept under wraps and announced at the AGM. We are sure that all of our members, friends, stakeholders and supporters chief executive and a small number of will be excited at the appointment local guest speakers will share a taste After 25 years as President of which reflects CAN’s significant stature of what is to come. This will include CAN, His Grace the Duke of both locally and nationally in the rural our work to overcome fuel poverty, is to become our development world. housing and employment issues as formal Patron. CAN’s board and well as our core relationships with staff are tremendously grateful to At the AGM, this year kindly sponsored village halls and parish councils. His Grace for his unstinting support by 0800 Repair, our Chairman will A light buffet lunch will be provided. over a quarter of a century and it is take the opportunity to update the fantastic news that our relationship audience on some of CAN’s current You can book a place at the AGM will continue into the future. activities and successes whilst our online or visit our website.

CAN launches new Bellingham Employment Hub CAN is very pleased to announce we have received a grant of £15,000 from the European Social Fund (ESF) to set up a new Employment Hub in Bellingham, along similar lines to those we already run at Haltwhistle and Prudhoe. in the community room which can be does not have access to transport accessed from the door next to the into Bellingham. library on the Manchester Square side of the building (this is the opposite Julia Plinston, Community Development side of the building and downstairs Officer at CAN said: from the main entrance). “We are delighted to be able to offer Group members will be able to access this exciting new service in Bellingham. the internet to carry out job searches, Members of our Employment Hubs at benefit from one to one careers Haltwhistle and Prudhoe have told us guidance, help with completing CVs how valuable our help is to them, and and job applications, and support with we look forward to offering the same improving IT skills. A free lunch and level of support to residents in North The Employment Hub will provide refreshments will be available and we Tyne & Redesdale.” support available to anyone living in may be able to offer travel expenses If you would like to find out more about Bellingham and the North Tyne Valley for those coming from outlying areas. who is looking for employment. Our the project, or are interested in booking drop-in support group will be open every On Tuesday afternoons we are able to an appointment, please contact Julia Tuesday morning from 10am-1pm offer 1-1 appointments in local venues at [email protected] at Bellingham Town Hall. We’ll be for anyone from outlying areas who or phone 01670 517178.

1 To grow or not to grow? Thropton’s new Warm Hub making people glow Growing any organisation is a Having emerged from a period of network of Rural Employment Hubs challenge. Many businesses have considerable change, CAN is now reflect this controlled response to struggled with growth – some carefully managing its growth in line growth, as does a growing network of expanding too soon based on fragile with our growing success. As our Annual active volunteers and our partnership markets; some losing sight of their Report for 2016/17 will show when with other local organisations to help original objectives or core business; published at our upcoming AGM, CAN is deliver specific projects. some putting too many eggs in the a strong, stable organisation delivering same basket; some just getting it on a variety of fronts around our vision We know we are good at what we do wrong. of rural communities in Northumberland – and we know we could do more. If that are vibrant, inclusive, confident, we do grow further we will aim to do The same can be said for charities and effective and capable of sustaining this in a manner which is controlled, other not-for-profit organisations. In themselves. sustainable and which builds on many ways, the consequences of the expertise which already exists in failure are even greater due to the Our growing success in recent years is Northumberland: impact on those who may rely on based on robust foundations: a strong controlled growth the services provided. board; passionate staff; excellent based on solid relationships with our key stakeholders; foundations. Effectively managed growth is a diversified income streams; and an delicate business. Expanding too enterprising approach to meeting soon can be unsustainable and Andy Dean needs. Recent appointments of a Volunteers and organisers at the first Warm Hub meeting receiving their certificate on behalf of Thropton War Memorial Hall Committee hugely damaging. Failing to grasp specialist marketing consultant to lead Chief Executive new opportunities or to ensure the of CAN our communications strategy and a CAN’s award winning Warm Hubs supported by a range of volunteers 01669 622264 or email UCCT3@ right capacity is in place to deliver specialist advisor to run our growing email: [email protected] against commitments equally so. project has expanded into Thropton, from Thropton WI, local Churches hotmail.com holding its first successful lunch in and Thropton residents. September. Thropton Warm Hubs co-ordinator Pupils of Thropton Village First School Vikki Ewen said of the launch: ECO scheme subsidises boiler replacements Warm Hubs is an innovative project will be joining the Hub from time to “I am thrilled that thanks to the help by CAN to help support communities time, coming to chat, sing and play of Christine Nicholls at CAN, generous As winter approaches we are Oil or LPG boilers (7 or more years across rural Northumberland by board games. Further occasional support from Lesley Leeson and reminded how cold homes can old), and inefficient Electric Storage investing in their local facilities and entertainment and recreations Thropton First School, we have been severely affect the health and Heaters replaced completely free of providing training to volunteers. planned include local musicians, able to start our fortnightly lunches. well-being of vulnerable and lower charge or generously subsidised. Within a Warm Hub people can be guest speakers and health and social It is a fabulous concept and one income households. Community assured of finding a safe, warm and care specialists. There is also a which can only bring good, positive Action Northumberland working The ECO scheme also subsidises the friendly environment in which to regular book swap. things to the folk who come along or in partnership with North East replacement of older gas boilers and enjoy a healthy, good value meal, volunteer. More volunteers are always based 0800 Repair are raising offers free or generously subsidised the company of other people and Getting to the Hub has been made welcome to help out either with food awareness of opportunities so as Loft, Cavity Wall and Attic Room social activity as well as access to easy with the Upper Coquetdale or just coming along and chatting to many qualifying households as Insulation. UK Building Regulations information and advice if needed. Community Bus offering transport to people.” possible benefit from a warmer advise Loft Insulation should be the Hall by collecting local residents and healthier home this winter. 270mm / 10ins deep. Thropton War Memorial Hall is from either Phillips Newsagents or Twenty Warm Hubs have been now holding Warm Hub lunches the Library in . There is rolled out in rural Northumberland In April 2017 the Government’s If you, or a member of your family, fortnightly. Lunch will be soup also the potential for home pick-up with further hubs planned for urban Energy Company Obligation or your local community want to and a roll plus a pudding, tea either in Rothbury or further up the areas in Newcastle, all supported scheme (ECO) introduced a new find out more then full details are and coffee, costing £4. The lunch Coquet Valley. To arrange home pick- from the outset and funded by opportunity to help qualifying only a moment away! Please visit is organised by Vikki Ewen and ups contact Lesley Leeson at UCCT on Northern Gas Networks. off-gas rural home-owners or www.ca-north.org.uk for more Your enquiry will be welcomed by private tenants to have inefficient information or call 0800 Repair’s ECO a helpful, friendly adviser who will Eligibility Team on 0191 607 5112. answer all your questions.

Note: ECO is a Government regulated scheme to help qualifying home-owners and private tenants replace older inefficient boilers / electric storage heaters and insulate homes. All replacement boilers funded by ECO come with a full manufacturer’s warranty supported by 1 year full install warranty and 24/7 breakdown cover. Get ready for Winter newsletter Redesdale Transport Survey Watch out for a series of special edition newsletters from CAN over the winter CAN would like to thank all the residents of Corsenside, Elsdon, Otterburn and Rochester & Byrness Parishes who setting out some tips on how to stay warm and some places where support took the time to complete the transport survey we delivered to every household as part of the Getabout project. is available. The newsletters will include updates on our OilCAN scheme We were delighted to receive 126 completed surveys a response rate of 15%. Our staff are now busy analysing for keeping the costs of heating fuel down (oil, LPG and coal), Warm Hub the results and hope to publish initial findings in October. Once complete reports will be sent to everyone who activities and training courses for volunteers. There might even be a recipe requested one, and we will be working the local parish councils to identify appropriate solutions to meet the needs of the month from one of our Warm Hubs! identified. Look out for more on this story in future newsletters.

2 3 Supporting CAN CAN’s work includes liasing with partners to provide Volunteer drivers needed support for householders in Over many years, we have greatly rural Northumberland so they Our Clive says give it a shot! appreciated the support many local can cope with the high cost community groups and others have of energy in the home given us. Although we currently receive grants from DEFRA and charitable sources, support from local bodies is vital in enabling us to continue the work we do, providing advice and support to enables us to continue to provide a would like to consider a small organisations and communities free service where it is needed whilst donation to CAN to enable us to across Northumberland and acting achieving full cost recovery on more continue to serve Northumberland’s as a critical ‘rural voice.’ detailed work. communities please get in touch. If you would like to discuss this Northumberland transport access CAN has responded to the ever Donations are a critical element of further or would like any additional changing financial and political our annual funding package and information please do not hesitate scheme Getabout is looking to environment by comprehensively enable us to clearly demonstrate the to contact andydean@ca-north. recruit more volunteer drivers to help reviewing our services, implementing commitment of local communities org.uk new activities and diversifying our to our work which also then helps meet growing need in particular the Clive Taylor, Volunteer Driver range of income sources. This to generate additional funds. If you rural West and North of the county. Clive is a volunteer driver for a Friday afternoon to visit his Run by Adapt (North East) with Getabout, taking people in his own wife in a residential care home 20 miles away. He couldn’t get support from Community Action car on journeys they’d be unable to Community-led housing – spreading the word make without some support. Here there himself as there’s no public Northumberland and funded by he tells us what the role involves, transport available and it obviously Over 50 people attended three Northumberland County Council, and why he’d recommend it to means a lot to them both to keep workshops we held in Alnwick, this visit going. I leave him there Getabout is a free service for anyone looking to give something Hexham and Stannington during back to their community in a flexible for a couple of hours then pick September to explain how local people having difficulty getting out way. him up, which is convenient for communities can take the driving and about. me as I use that time to get the seat in seeking to deliver affordable “I’m a fairly busy bloke, but when I weekly shop in!” homes for local people. saw the advert in a local newsletter The service offers information and requesting volunteer drivers it struck “For me I feel it’s a really vital role Community-led housing schemes advice to help people access existing me as something I could fit into my for the simple fact that there are have six main features: community transport schemes and life pretty easily, with a great deal a significant number of people of flexibility and minimum training. in the community with little or • They put local communities in public transport services, but can I’d been considering doing some no access to reliable transport, the driving seat. also provide a volunteer driver who volunteering ever since I retired 4 which is where Getabout comes • 54% of Parish and Town Councils With funding made available by • They are usually small scale will drive their own car to transport years ago, and this type of work is in. That’s when I can ‘step into in Northumberland want to see Northumberland County Council ideally suited to someone like me, the breach’ and help these folk.” more affordable homes provided from their allocation of the people to essential services such as • Although most schemes are as the service is mostly needed “I certainly get a real kick out usually set up and run by local for local people in their areas; government’s Community Housing health appointments. during the day when people have only 13% do not Fund, we are able to provide direct of helping make their journey people in their own communities appointments to get to.” and their day easier. Going support to community organisations Getabout volunteers are paid 45p • They provide genuinely affordable • 77% of Parish and Town Councils in investigating the potential of “I was invited to a day’s training in somewhere new or on your own homes for rent, shared ownership, feel high property prices is the community-led housing and bringing per mile for taking people in their Hexham, covering the basics such can seem simple to most of us, sale or self-build main issue behind the lack of specific schemes to fruition. If you car to a pre-booked destination and as what to do if your car breaks but can be very nerve-racking for affordable homes; 25% feel down, how to handle people, that an elderly person. I don’t just drop are interested in finding out more will receive appropriate training. • Schemes meet long-term local community opposition is the main visit our website or contact info@ sort of common sense thing. It also them at the door, I like to help housing needs issue for them covered dealing with expenses such them to where they need to be in ca-north.org.uk Volunteers will also have the as petrol costs and car parking the hospital before leaving them • Community-led housing is not • 19 Parish and Town Councils opportunity to drive for other local charges, as we get reimbursed for in someone else’s hands. That for profit, involving considerable say they can identify pieces of schemes. If you are interested in all of those.” makes the difference, using a bit voluntary effort land they feel may be suitable of common sense and being fairly for small community-led housing becoming a volunteer driver or would “So, a couple of times a week, I pick Parish and Town Councils potentially sociable.” schemes and most are aware of like to find out more, please contact people up and take them to where have a key role in supporting or their ownership they need to be, it’s as simple as “For those thinking about providing community-led housing us at [email protected] or call that.” volunteering, I’d say give it a shot! schemes. Over the summer, we • 26 Parish and Town Councils Andrew at Adapt (North East) on Every person I’ve taken has been carried out a survey of local councils are keen to know more about “I help one gentleman on a regular 03333 441740. appreciative of the effort, happy which produced some interesting community-led housing and how basis which I enjoy. I take him on such a valuable service exists.” results including: they might help provide it locally

4 5 West Northumberland consortium CAN secures senior government and CAN consolidate links official visit to North East In this role we have managed to A special session of the network From 1 October this year, CAN has secure a visit to the region from Nigel in December this year will hear entered a formal agreement with the Kersey, a senior civil servant at the the latest news from the heart of West Northumberland Community Department for Communities and Westminster on government plans Buildings Consortium (WNCBC) to to support community-led housing Local Government responsible for provide a range of key services. This CAN provides a facilitation role development, including the best includes: to the North East Community- matters including the government’s ways to access the resources led Development Network. The Community Housing Fund, as well as available. • organising consortium meetings Network brings together people Matt Dodd who is the rural housing from across the region to share lead for Homes (formerly Keep an eye on our website for • disseminating the consortium news from this session. newsletter including latest news experiences of community-led known as the Homes & Communities from member halls, legal updates development in all its forms and to Agency) – the government’s agency and current opportunities get access to the latest information which distributes the £6 billion and intelligence. affordable homes programme. • development of the consortium website • consolidated provision of support This is an exciting development for Supporting sustainable local development CAN and one which will underpin the ongoing success of the Consortium. to the full from the services available Any village halls or community from CAN. buildings in West Northumberland a self sustaining enterprising culture In Haltwhistle, we provide project As with the North Northumberland wishing to find out more or with which enables local communities to Mike Wood, Chair of the Consortium officer services to Haltwhistle Village Halls Consortium, WNCBC any queries should contact louise. be resilient and have the ability to said: “Since starting life with about 20 Partnership to manage their various is an independent charity which [email protected] control and shape their own futures.” activities. This has included a major has provided important support to members in 2007 to its present 62 members The West Northumberland CAN supports these trusts in a variety project to refurbish a significant its members for many years and building in the centre of the town allowed halls to learn from each Consortium has always been of ways. For example, every Friday accompanied and supported by we operate our Prudhoe Employment to create a ground floor retail unit other and benefit from collective along with 4 low cost flats to rent action on a number of practical our friends from CAN and we are The Federation of Northumberland Hub from Prudhoe Community now looking forward to working in Development Trusts (FoNDT) have Partnership’s Spetchells building in above and the community asset fronts including PAT testing, energy transfer of a County Council building purchase and insurance. even closer unity with them, which produced a Review to highlight the the centre of the town and earlier this will enable both organisations to great work the various trusts do right year we helped Hexham Community to facilitate the growth of a highly successful local youth project. The new arrangement will help to provide even further support for our Mike Wood across Northumberland. FoNDT Partnership to access funds from a ensure that WNCBC goes from local communities and community Chair of the exists to assist Northumberland’s 17 number of sources to facilitate the You can read more about FoNDT and strength to strength and benefits buildings.” Consortium local Development Trusts “to create continuation of a key project. read their 2017 review via this link. Focus on rural enterprise Free Air Source Heat Pump on its way and opportunities surrounding enterprise introduced new or improved goods in in a rural context. their businesses, and are more able to secure external funds, especially for As part of our work to support Iain Bevan, Heating Commercial wellbeing, but if you can combine The University’s analysis of 13,403 capital investments in machinery and reduced energy costs in Manager from Daikin, told us why this with social engagement and small firms in England, including 3,555 buildings, than are businesses in urban community buildings, CAN has they are keen to support the Warm a hot meal in a safe and friendly rural firms, interviewed for the UK Small England. been working with Daikin, provider Hubs project with the offer of a free environment, the benefits are Business Survey in 2015 (Small Rural of air conditioning and climate pump. magnified. Firms in English Regions: Analysis and Obstacles to success of significantly control solutions. This has resulted Newcastle University’s latest rural “Being warm and dry is a basic The Warm Hub project can provide research and conference is a timely Key findings from UK Longitudinal Small more concern to rural businesses than in the offer of a free Air Source Business Survey) shows rural businesses urban are revealed to be regulations or Heat Pump unit for one of our human need and it is surprising how all these benefits and also ensure reminder for government and Local many people in the UK cannot take our community buildings are Enterprise Partnerships that ignoring in England are significantly more likely to red tape, staff recruitment and skills, Warm Hubs. More details will be be profitable than businesses in urban and taxes, rates and National Insurance. available in our December edition this for granted. Fuel poverty is a real being used regularly. This is why the potential contribution of rural issue in the UK, but it poses even Daikin (UK) is pleased to support enterprise to the national economy areas – and this is nothing to do with Clear evidence is also identified of of CAN E-news regarding the lucky differences in sectors, size, age and untapped rural potential with, for venue. greater challenges in rural areas and this project, by providing an energy would be a mistake as post Brexit for elderly residents in particular. efficient, renewable heating system, policy is developed. Their new analysis other business characteristics of rural and example, more rural firms having goods It is widely accepted that a warm, that can provide low cost heating of rural firms across the country and urban areas. or services suitable for exporting than which currently export. You can read the healthy environment can only have a and hot water.” hosting the 15th pan-European Rural Rural firms are also shown to be research via this link. positive effect on people’s health and Entrepreneurship conference shine a significantly stronger exporters of goods bright light on the value, complexity and services, are more likely to have

6 7 Our Rural Connect Save money on your fuel networking and sharing of good practice across the hubs. Critically, Rural Connect also offers a simple interface for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and other business support Amble Harbour Village providers with a network is one of 37 Rural Connect Hubs which reaches deep into the rural North East. This The recent international rural offers a clear opportunity to enterprise conference hosted communicate the various by Newcastle University forms of business support highlighted a number of available to the hubs, their Join our bulk buying heating fuel service tenants and businesses OilCAN and we CAN help you: novel approaches from across Europe. One such within their wider networks. • vesa money on oil, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and coal project was Rural Connect, You can find out more about •ombenefit the lowest fr possible prices •deror quickly and easily by phone or email an initiative which operates Rural Connect at their website •et gemergency supplies if you run out unexpectedly. across the rural North East www.ruralconnect.biz Open to residents, community organisations and is facilitated by CAN. and businesses in Northumberland. Rural Connect provides a JOIN US NOW network for 37 separate rural Visit www.ca-north.org.uk/oil enterprise hubs around rural Email: [email protected] Northumberland, Durham Call 01670 500812 and the fringes of Tyne &

Registered charity no. 1144604 Company limited by guarantee no. 7805401 Wear. This enables joint promotion to take place,

Wingates Wind Farm community fund CAN administers the Wingates used by visitors to the area including Wind Farm Community Fund which walkers, cyclists and motor cyclists provides grants of around £30,000 visiting the beautiful Simonside Hills. a year for the local community The installation of the defibrillator throughout the life of the wind farm. will ensure that local residents and At their September meeting the visitors who experience a heart attack local panel awarded two new grants will have access to life saving first aid to local projects: treatment as early as possible whilst • St Giles Church Netherwitton waiting for medical help to arrive. have been awarded a grant of £30,000 worth of funding is available £2496 to resurface their car park each year and applications will be support a wide range of activities and a the path joining the car park considered at quarterly meetings. The including, education, culture, arts, to the church. These were in a state application deadlines and meeting science, sport, environmental of disrepair and the work will mean dates for 2017/18 are on our website. that everyone using the church and protection, sustainable transport, especially wheelchair users and Applications are invited from improvements to community parents with children in buggies constituted voluntary and community buildings etc. groups, parish councils and schools will have better access to attend The panel meets quarterly, with the carrying out projects which will be services, social and cultural events next deadline for applications being of community benefit within the at the church. Monday 13th November, with the parishes of & Hesleyhurst, next panel meeting date to be held • Rothley & Hollinghill Parish Council Longhorsley, Netherwitton, Nunnykirk, on Monday 4th December. Future were awarded £2,000 to install a and Rothley & Hollinghill. defibrillator in a disused telephone dates are on the CAN website box next to The Gate Pub. This is Grants will normally be in the range of under ‘Empowering Organisations’ a very rural area and the pub is £250 to £2,000 and can be used to > ‘Local Grant Schemes’.

Community Action Northumberland, UNIUN Enterprise Building, Front Street, Pegswood, Morpeth, NE61 6RG Tel: 01670 517178 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ca-north.org.uk