Northumberland’s Vital Issues

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Researched and written by Roger Mould Page with Mark Pierce, Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland

Contents

Foreword 2 Executive summary 3 Introduction to themes and priorities 5 The Vital Signs themes Work 8 Fairness 10 Housing and homelessness 12 Safety 14 Learning 16 Arts, culture and heritage 18 Strong communities 20 Environment 22 Healthy living 24 Local economy 26 Civil society organisations 28 Young people 30

Sources and acknowledgements 32

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Foreword This report, Vital Issues, is part of a major new project for the Community Foundation, Vital Signs. Our intention is that Vital Signs will inform the development of effective community philanthropy in our area by providing a „health check‟ on key local issues informed both by national statistics and local knowledge and experience.

In tandem with other Community Foundations in the UK, we are piloting Vital Signs, drawing inspiration and learning from colleagues in the Community Foundations of Canada, who originated the model. We started with a Tyne and Wear‟s Vital Signs report in May 2013, and Northumberland‟s Vital Signs will be published as part of the nationwide launch of the Vital Signs project on 1 October 2013.

Vital Signs reports are focussed on 10 nationally agreed themes. This will allow progress to be compared between areas across the country, and enable common issues and priorities to be identified.

However the main focus of the initiative is on informing local decision making. To this end we will also focus on two local themes, Civil Society Organisations and Young People, where we feel there is a particular need for local action.

This Vital Issues report provides the data which informs Northumberland’s Vital Signs. In it, we are seeking to do the following:

 Report on the vitality of Northumberland‟s communities using a range of nationally gathered statistics, alongside evidence from local experts.  Identify the priority issues that present the most significant challenges and opportunities for change here.  Describe how civil society organisations – charities, community groups, social enterprises and the like – are involved in addressing the priorities identified.  Suggest how community philanthropy can best respond.

Vital Signs is not designed to be the “final word” on the issues it addresses. Importantly, we now need to know what people, businesses, public bodies and local groups think about the evidence and priorities, where they think Northumberland is doing well, and where they want charitable efforts – by donors and civil society groups – to be focussed for most effect.

Publication of Northumberland’s Vital Signs is just the start of an on-going process of discussion. And, we ourselves will be working even harder to apply vital philanthropic resources to vital projects to address our community‟s vital issues.

We hope this will be just the first Northumberland‟s Vital Signs. Please join us in the conversation.

Rob Williamson Chief Executive Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland July 2013

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Executive Summary

Northumberland has many positive aspects. The county has beautiful countryside and coastline, and scores highly on measures of natural beauty and tranquillity. The richness of its history is reflected in an enviable array of heritage sites including some of the most striking historical buildings in the UK.

However the local economy is weak. In recent decades the county has struggled to adapt to the decline of two key industries: coal mining and agriculture. To this may be added the on- going effects of the more recent contraction of the public sector, which employs around 42,000 local people, and the closure of the county‟s largest private sector employer the Rio Tinto Alcan aluminium smelter.

Turning the local economy around will be a major challenge. Civil society organisations, supported by local philanthropists, can play a significant role in supporting work towards this goal. They can underpin the county‟s offer as a good place to live, do business and work. They can help ensure that local people, particularly the young and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are able to benefit fully from new opportunities as they arise.

Despite its economic problems, quality of life is generally good across much of the county. Infant mortality, teenage conceptions and suicide are all low, as are crime rates including youth offending and re-offending. The Place Survey also shows high levels of satisfaction of residents for things like respect and people getting on with each other, a strong sense of belonging, and satisfaction with home and neighbourhood.

Indeed, taking county-wide statistics at their face value, it would be easy to conclude that Northumberland was doing very reasonably against a large number of indicators. In many instances, as we will see later, this is actually true and should be celebrated. In other areas, however, county-wide statistics mask strong variations in the fortunes and experience of people in neighbouring urban and rural areas across the county.

This is by far the most challenging conclusion of this research. It requires that local data - much of which relates still to the districts and wards which were absorbed into the unitary authority in 2009 - should always be checked rather than relying only on county-wide data. Doing so reveals that in relation to all of the 12 Vital Signs themes there are examples of significant deprivation in parts of Wansbeck, Blyth Valley, Berwick and specific settlements such as Lynemouth. The following examples may be cited to illustrate this issue:

 there are high levels of benefit dependency, and lower rates of employment for key groups such as lone parents and people with disabilities in many urban wards;  there is a relatively high rate of youth unemployment for the county as a whole, but the level varies between neighbourhoods with rates in some urban wards being amongst the highest 1% in the country;  levels of educational attainment are markedly lower in Blyth and Wansbeck than the figures for the county as a whole might suggest;  the lower than average county-wide level of homelessness masks the problems faced

by communities in towns like Blyth or Berwick where levels are significantly higher;

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 in Wansbeck the setting of deliberate fires emerges as a particular challenge not experienced elsewhere, with incidents running at 5 times the national average;  election turnouts are a key indicator of strong communities. In Northumberland they are lower in urban than rural areas.

In some cases the levels of deprivation in specific neighbourhoods within Northumberland equals or exceeds those in the most challenged wards within Tyne and Wear. The Fairness section of this report in particular identifies a number of almost exclusively urban wards as performing badly against seven Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD); employment; income; child poverty; health; education, older people‟s poverty and crime.

But disadvantage in Northumberland is not an exclusively urban phenomenon. The following problems can be identified as particularly significant in Northumberland‟s rural areas:

 lack of access to services, opportunities and amenities and subsequent social isolation underpinned by poor public transport;  poor housing in some places, including no central heating (which is responsible for high levels of fuel poverty);  poor Broadband connectivity which affects the viability of businesses and limits access to new forms of service provision and social connectivity;

The marked disparity in quality of life between individuals and communities within Northumberland has led us to identify Fairness as a key priority. Lifting living standards in the county‟s most deprived neighbourhoods is essential if inequality is to be prevented from undermining Northumberland‟s strong sense of community.

Our research has identified many areas where action by civil society organisations, supported by community philanthropy, can make a real difference. The local community and voluntary sector is a key asset of the county, contributing much to the quality of life enjoyed by Northumberland residents. It has an in-depth understanding of local communities, and can offer holistic and innovative approaches to meet local needs particularly in deprived areas. As important, it can provide a route for communities to engage in local decision making and help shape the development of local services.

Unfortunately the funding situation for much of the sector is worsening as a result of recent cutbacks in public expenditure. Alternative sources of funding such as social investment and contracting for services are slow to come on stream. Support for the civil society organisations therefore emerges as a major priority. Community philanthropy cannot make up the funding that has been lost, but it remains key to civil society‟s vitality and may be able to ease the process of transition through a more strategic funding approach.

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Introduction to themes and priorities

Methodology

This report covers 12 themes. Ten of these are based on the nationally agreed Vital Signs UK themes. An additional two were selected as being of particular local interest. The table below shows this relationship:

National Vital Signs theme Northumberland theme Labour market Work Tackling disadvantage and exclusion Fairness Housing Housing and homelessness Safety Safety Education and skills Learning Arts, culture and heritage Arts, culture and heritage Strong communities Strong communities Environment Environment Health and well-being Healthy living Economy Local economy Local themes for Northumberland Civil society organisations Young people

At a national level a range of indicators have been agreed for each of the 10 national themes that allow for a relatively objective grade to be awarded showing how each Vital Signs area is doing relative to the rest of the UK. In the Northumberland’s Vital Statistics report we have set out grades for Northumberland showing where it sits in a range from the top 20% of comparable areas (grade A) through the middle 20% (grade C) to the bottom 20% (grade E). The grades awarded in this way for each theme are set out below:

Theme Grading Labour market C Tackling disadvantage and exclusion C Housing B Safety A Education and skills C Arts, culture and heritage E Strong communities B Environment A Health and well-being C Economy E

However whilst these grades provide an objective, nationally comparable measure of the situation in Northumberland they are of limited use in enabling us to fully understand the local situation. In this Northumberland’s Vital Issues report the approach we have taken to give a local perspective on the themes for Northumberland is as follows:

 Collect and evaluate key statistical data to establish the main priorities revealed by the Local Knowledge (see glossary) data sets. These data sets are essentially all of the

statistical indicators available in the UK over a variety of geographical levels from

super output areas to regions. 5 Page

 Supplement this „first stab‟ with a desktop local literary review designed to add substance, fill gaps in knowledge, confirm or challenge statistical conclusions and generally inform appropriate modifications.  Engage with key organisations and individuals, particularly in the voluntary and community sector to comment, criticise and make suggestions about the draft priorities. The main reason for this stage is to check accuracy and significance against specialist knowledge.

These stages were not as clearly separated in practice, and often ran alongside each other in firming up the priorities for each theme.

Each theme has a two page spread with five priorities identified. Aside from a brief introduction, there are three elements:

 The evidence for each priority identified  The role of civil society in addressing each priority  A section identifying any other issues that need consideration.

For each theme and priority a grading of A to E has been given. These are something more than simply an assessment of how the area is doing relative to the rest of the UK. They are indicative too of the degree of urgency with which action is needed to address the issues raised. The box below explains this in more detail.

Vital Signs gradings – what they mean

A Theme grade A Priority grade

Grades are used within the Northumberland‟s Vital Issues and Vital Signs reports to give an indication of how urgently we think action needs to be taken in relation to a theme, or priority. The grades are awarded in part on the basis of how the area is doing relative to the rest of the UK. However we also take into account two other factors in awarding grades, namely: - Our local research and knowledge into particular issues affecting Northumberland - The views of our stakeholders (donors, grantees, partner organisations)

As people become involved in Vital Signs we expect to increase our knowledge about what is happening in Northumberland, and what local people regard as important. The grades will be changed to reflect this learning.

The table below summarises what each of our grades mean:

A Everything is great. Let‟s keep things that way! B Things are going well, but we can make them better C The situation is OK, but could be improved D Things aren‟t going very well. We should take action as soon as possible E Things are going very badly. We must act now!

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The revised grades based on this more detailed assessment are shown below:

Theme Grading Work C Fairness D Housing and homelessness B Safety B Learning C Arts, culture and heritage B Strong communities B Environment B Healthy living C Local economy D Civil Society organisations D Young people C

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Work C The rise in unemployment is one of the most tangible consequences of the economic crisis. It affects most sections of society, and has an impact on nearly all of the other issues addressed here. The consolidation of previous funding streams into the Work Programme has the potential to draw resources away from those who are most vulnerable, face multiple barriers, and have the greatest need of support. This is where civil society and community philanthropists should be concentrating their efforts.

What’s going well A There are much fewer people receiving income support in Northumberland than elsewhere in the North East, and 16% less than the national average.

B Also lowest in the North East are lone parent receiving benefit, and it‟s 20% lower than the national average. This figure is an interesting contrast to that for carers, who also have difficulties around working.

A Some employment sectors have increased their share. Creative industries have almost doubled. Food and drink, healthcare, banking, real estate, the knowledge sector and construction have all grown and transport has increased by nearly a quarter against a slight national fall.

B Two measures are about the national average and the best in the North East. These are the employment of disabled people and the percentage of working age people receiving benefits.

Where action is needed D Young People Community Action

10% of 16-24 year olds were unemployed in There are a wide variety of civil society Northumberland in 2011; almost 2x more than organisations trying to help young Newcastle, and the 41st worst out of 480 people into work, either targeting districts nationally. particular vulnerable groups or with employability as their main focus. Rural wards have rates similar to the rest of the However, the consolidation of previous country, but in the urban wards 8 wards are employability funding into the single more than double. The biggest contrast is Work Programme led by prime between Ponteland West at 2.12% and College contractors has deprived many of at 20.33%. This is likely to be more like 23% in these organisations of vital resources. 2013. College, Hirst and Amble wards are all Community philanthropists could help higher than the worst ward in Tyne and Wear, to fill the gaps in provision, particularly and 12th, 13th and 24th respectively out of over where the Work Programme has failed 8000 wards in the country. to deliver.

C Vulnerable groups Community Action

Changes to the support arrangements Civil society organisations will have 8 for people out of work will increase the knowledge of the impact on their service

need for help of vulnerable groups, users. Community philanthropists should tap Page especially in pockets of deprivation. into this to inform their giving.

D Workless Households Community Action

20.5% of households are workless. Civil society groups are particularly good at This is slightly above the national helping those furthest from the labour market average but the best in the North towards work. There is also a significant role East. However the most pressing supporting families with the consequences of issue is that parts of Blyth, Newbiggin long-term economic inactivity, which are and Ashington are four times higher considerable and wide ranging. This would than in Morpeth and Ponteland. This include tackling the isolation that such families is also a significant factor contributing suffer, through social capital type activities, and to child poverty, discussed elsewhere. there are a number of groups that specifically work with families. D Carers Community Action

There are 34,000 carers in Civil society organisations are ideal mechanisms Northumberland. The number for supporting carers, and there are many good receiving benefits is 20% higher ones in the North East. They not only help them than the national average and, into work, but also support them to juggle work and many urban wards are more than caring. Many carers have low or no qualifications double. It is likely that there are a and a key preventative activity is working with lot of carers not working, but who young carers so that they have the time to study want to. and have a social life, in preparation for work. D Self-Employment Community Action

The self-employment rate There is new money coming into the County to support is two-thirds the national people into self-employment, delivered through the public average and 73rd out of sector. Civil society can play a role in this in a number of 480 districts. ways:  Preparing their service users, usually vulnerable Again the urban/rural divide groups, with stability, self esteem, basic skills etc. is strong. About 15% of  Referring them to relevant support. wards, all rural, are more than double the national A growing number of organisations are creating social average, while a similar enterprises that employ their own service users. percentage of urban wards Development towards self-employment can be part of this. are less than half.

...and finally

Northumberland has the best In Northumberland there Seasonal work is an employment rate in the North is only 1 jobcentre important feature of the East, and it‟s 3% above the vacancy for every 14 Northumberland economy national average. However, this claimants. Ironically, whilst for example in tourism is partly explained by a large very bad, this is much and agriculture. In towns shift from full time to short time better than the national like Berwick it is not

working. Full time is 4.5% below average, which is 1 uncommon for people to and short time 8.5% above the vacancy for every 29 work only in the summer. 9 national average. claimants. Page

Fairness D

Inequality is a key issue for Northumberland. The affluence of some communities compares starkly with the deprivation in others. Community philanthropy – the use of wealth to address local social issues – is well established in the county and has a clear role to play in bridging the gap between its residents‟ quality of life.

What’s going well

Despite the levels of inequality within Northumberland (see below), the county as a C whole does well compared with the rest of the country. Even where it does less well

nationally it is often the best in the North East. The measures where it is both better

than the national average and most of the North East are: Child poverty, Crime,

Environment, Housing, Income and Older person‟s poverty. The measures where

the county is worse than the national average, but still best or second best in the

North East are: Education, Employment and Health.

Where action is needed

D Generic equality issues

Being on the margins of decision-making is a problem. Activities that promote participation and give communities of interest a voice and influence need support.

Communities of interest are disproportionately affected by government changes to welfare, social care, etc. Interventions that help people through this minefield are crucial.

Isolation and exclusion are common themes, most associated with vulnerable groups. In Northumberland this also applies particularly to geographical isolation in the rural areas.

The kind of work that is needed, and often lacking, in dealing with inequality are:

 Making inequality visible through training and awareness raising.

 Filling the research gaps in many equality strands.

 Information sharing between equality strands.  Supporting celebrations of diversity.

E Internal inequality Community Action

The IMD inequality range indicator is a measure This clearly indicates how important it of inequality based on the range between all the is in Northumberland to look at Super Output Areas within a district. The higher statistics at more local geographies, to the score, the more inequality within the area. avoid being deceived by district wide figures. On this measure Northumberland is ranked 102 out of 326 comparable areas, indicating levels of The evidence suggests inequality inequality that are in the top third nationally. reduces quality of life for both rich and poor in an area. For civil society and As we demonstrate below pockets of deprivation philanthropists this may suggest the exist across urban and rural Northumberland, need to focus on pockets of

often close to relatively affluent neighbourhoods. deprivation. 10

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E Urban Wards Community Action

Indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) look at Focus on urban wards is obviously deprivation under specific headings. At ward needed, but it is important to dig level this identifies those areas that score deeper. There will be other wards not highly against the rest of the country. The table listed here that do badly under fewer below shows those that are in the highest 10%. headings.

Ward Overall Employ- Income Child Health Education Older Crime ment poverty people poverty Hirst (Wansbeck) Croft (Blyth) Park (Wansbeck) Lynemouth (Castle Morpeth) Cowpen (Blyth) Newbiggin E (Wansbeck) Plessey (Blyth) Isabella (Blyth) Newbiggin W (Wansbeck) Cramlington W (Blyth)

Rural Wards Community Action D

There are two measures of multiple deprivation where the urban The majority of these rural split is reversed and the rural wards are in the worst 10%. issues require These are environment and housing. They cover things like significant amounts of overcrowding, housing in poor condition or no central heating, funding that need to distance to key services (GP, school, post office, shop etc) and come from the public traffic accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians. The main sector, particularly wards are Cheviot, South and West Tynedale, Hartburn, things like broadband Norhamshire, Lowick, Whittingham and Chollerton. and public transport. Perhaps the most The county‟s rural areas are also badly served when it comes to appropriate contribution broadband. A significant amount of funding has been allocated to from civil society would tackle this but not much progress so far. It is important to note be community that this issue has a strong impact on business as well as the transport. connectivity of citizens.

...and finally

Northumberland has a remarkably low proportion of ethnic minorities. It is 1.57% 11

compared to 14.03% nationally. Ponteland has the highest percentage, but it is still well Page below the national rate.

Housing and homelessness B Housing and homelessness issues paint a particularly complicated picture in Northumberland. This is certainly a theme where a generally positive picture could deflect attention away from problems that are specific to particular communities. Thus there may be a need for philanthropic investment to support action on issues such as fuel poverty in small villages, or homelessness in urban centres such as Blyth.

What’s going well B Homelessness is quite low at 0.73% per 1000 households, compared with 0.96% nationally. The only exception is Blyth Valley, which is twice the national average. It is worth mentioning that homeless people tend to gravitate towards urban centres.

B The impact of poor housing on children is captured as a combination of housing factors, such as overcrowding, no central heating, etc. Again Northumberland does particularly well. There are about a dozen wards, mostly in Berwick that are higher than the national average, and probably relate to the prevalence of non-decent privately rented accommodation.

B Northumberland has half the national average of houses with no central heating, again focused on Berwick.

A Overcrowding is generally very low. There are no wards higher than the national average. Only Hirst and Acomb are close to it.

A The number of people receiving housing benefit is the lowest in the North East and well below the national average.

Where action is needed E Fuel Poverty Community Action

Two thirds of all wards have fuel A good example of how civil society can help is poverty above the national average. Community Action Northumberland‟s Oil CAN – Lowick in Berwick for instance is 35% a bulk-buying group for heating oil. This has above the average and 47th worst of nearly 400 members! Other types of help the around 8000 wards. 22 wards are in the worst 10% in the country. Blyth voluntary sector can provide are advice on Valley seems to be the only area that, welfare benefits and support with problems aside from Croft, is not badly affected. such as ill health and unsuitable housing.

D Homelessness Community Action

Whilst Northumberland as a whole The VCS are particularly good at this kind of work. does well against the national Not just because they have a unique understanding average for homelessness, this of the vulnerable groups, but because they work 12

masks the fact that in Blyth Valley holistically and have the inclination and the freedom Page it is about twice the national to be innovative and flexible. average.

D Quality of Housing Community Action

The level of non-decent housing is surprisingly high in A number of recent reports specific areas, and strongly correlates to the describe the impact on percentage of private rented and long-term vacant vulnerable groups of living in properties. Tynedale‟s West and South Tynedale, non-decent rented housing. Wark and Chollerton, and Berwick‟s Cheviot, Lowick, There is a clear role here for civil Belford and Norhamshire all have double the national society, especially organisations average of non-decent housing and three times the that focus on a particular group, percentage of private rented accommodation. In such as disabled people. Berwick this also correlates to nearly 6 times the Advocacy between tenant and number of long-term vacant properties. landlord might be a key service. D Homelessness Prevention Community Action

The most important thing that interventions can do is The VCS are particularly good prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. at this kind of work. Not just Apart from the good news for potentially vulnerable because they have a unique people, it is also a classic „invest to save‟ activity. This understanding of the entails understanding the factors that lead to vulnerable groups, but homelessness and who the most vulnerable people are. because they work holistically The most common reasons young people become and have the inclination and homeless is leaving the parental home, either thrown the freedom to be innovative out, or as a result of family breakdown, or both. Other and flexible. Public sector critical points are leaving care, leaving prison, escaping services are by contrast much domestic violence, and unemployment. less so.

D Vacant properties Community Action

This is a county wide issue, but Northumberland County Council and others are Berwick‟s wards are double the working to address this issue. Is there a greater national average. role for civil society in supporting their work? D Care Leavers Community Action

People leaving Leaving care is a daunting process for young people, and they care in need a lot of support to achieve stability. They are 3 times more Northumberland, likely to offend, 4 times more likely to have mental health issues, 5 as elsewhere, face times less likely to do well at school, 8 times more likely to be particular excluded. 20% of all homeless people are care leavers. Support difficulties. into suitable accommodation is a vital need for this group.

...and finally

Northumberland 66% of homes in Northumberland Housing changes hands a lot has twice the are owner occupied, and 32% less than elsewhere, and prices national average rented. 19% of housing is rented rose 6% in 2012 despite a 13

of second from social landlords. national drop. Page homes.

Safety B

The general picture across the county is undeniably positive both in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour. There is scope for improvement, particularly in the more deprived urban areas. The role of civil society organisations in diverting young people from crime and anti-social behaviour is a key area where philanthropy can support continued improvement.

What’s going well

A Overall crime in Northumberland fell by 11.4% in the year to May 2013.

A Drunk and rowdy behaviour is 15% lower than the national average.

A Northumberland‟s overall crime score is less than half the national average and the best in the North East.

A Youth re-offending is very low, almost two thirds of the national average.

B One in three people questioned think that the police and public services are dealing effectively with crime and anti-social behaviour. This might not sound too good, but it is only one in four nationally.

B Successfully engaging young offenders into suitable education, employment and training is 15% better than average.

A The Odysseus mentoring project, which comes under the banner of the Northumbria Coalition Against Crime, is an excellent example of good practice. It works with young people at risk of offending or re-offending. There are separate programmes of support for parents, and they work towards long term sustainable change. The result is 80% of young people who stop re-offending.

Where action is needed

Types of Crime Community Action D

The most prevalent types of crime in Rising crime rates are always a worry during Northumberland are criminal damage, an economic recession, and it is important violence against the person and non- that all parts of the community work together domestic burglary.The areas with the to prevent it. A good example of such co- highest incidence of crime are Blyth, operation is the Northumbria Coalition Against Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington. Crime, which brings together the business, Although crime rates have fallen during community, voluntary and statutory sectors to the last year, it is slightly worrying to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Civil note that this April and May showed a society organisations work with young people 14 rise year on year of about a quarter. at risk and support parents, carers and

This could be a short-term effect but guardians. A key aim is change attitudes and Page should be monitored. behaviour.

Urban wards Community Action E

There are two measures of crime that drill down to This wide ranging issue seems to ward level, and they are very revealing. be confined to particular vulnerable communities, and as  The crime domain of the Indices of Multiple such requires co-ordinated effort Deprivation (IMD) scores for burglary, theft, between the county council, the criminal damage and violence. police and civil society. The  The Child Wellbeing Indicator (CWI) county will have a crime and assesses the same data for its impact on community safety plan and it is children. essential that affected communities are involved in the Only one in six wards are above the national process through its voluntary average, three wards appear in the worst 10% in organisations and community the country in both indicators. The table below groups. Civil society is particularly compares the Hirst and Park wards of Wansbeck skilled at engaging, mobilising and and Croft in Blyth Valley with Elswick in Newcastle. facilitating a community‟s voice on It can be seen from this that a small number of crime, as well as delivering urban areas of Northumberland can exhibit some of diversionary activities. The the same issues that are found in their more preventative quality of actions that metropolitan neighbours. Note: Elswick is the increase social capital are also highest Newcastle ward for CWI crime. important.

National Score (rank out of circa 8000 wards) Measure Average Hirst Park Croft Elswick IMD crime 0 1.32 (102) 1.08 (200) 1.01 (342) 0.76 (494)

CWI crime 0.08 1.73 (30) 1.18 (66) 0.88 (570) 1.12 (255)

D Hidden crime? Community Action

There were 3781 incidents of domestic abuse or violence in Public education and Northumberland in 2011/12. This may be simply the tip of the support for the victims iceberg, and efforts are being made to ensure that all such of these types of crime incidents are recorded. Hate crime also tends to be under- are areas where the reported. The evidence suggests the problem may be more community and common in Northumberland than reported incidents suggest, voluntary sector can be affecting a range of minorities including BME groups, the very effective in LGBT community and people with disabilities. The national complementing rate of hate crime per head of the BME population is roughly statutory services. 1:276, but this may again be an underestimate.

...and finally

Most of Northumberland has a very low incidence of deliberate fires, but Wansbeck really stands out. The number of deliberate fires per square kilometre is 5 times the national average and 68th highest of 376 districts. The percentage of all fires that were deliberate 15

(64.5%) is 50% higher than national average and 8th highest nationally. There are some Page good examples around the country, for example in North Wales, where the fire service and civil society come together to deliver services, using techniques such as drama and working in schools.

Learning C Against the background of average or above average performance educationally in the county, there are quite different issues depending on geography. Deprived urban areas share many of the problems of neighbouring Tyne and Wear, and it is here where philanthropic action to support work on promoting re-engagement with learning is most needed. What’s going well B NVQ performance is good. The county is in the top 15% for levels 2 and 3, and also for the over 50s. A Getting first time entrants to the youth justice system into structured activities is very good. 50% better than the national average and 19th best 326 in the country.

B Northumberland is in the best 18% for employers reporting skills gaps in their workforce. It is 16% compared with a national average of 19%. It is the best in the North East, with Newcastle at 22%.

B Rural areas do especially well in relation to most of the Learning issues covered in this report. The only exception might be bullying.

Where action is needed E People with no qualifications Community Action

This is one of the starkest examples of the This measure is strongly correlated to contrast between county-wide and ward level disadvantaged areas across the statistics. The national average is 11%, while country. In neighbouring Newcastle for Northumberland is 8.6%, 22% lower. Now look example, even without the urban/rural at the percentage of wards in each of the pre split, geographically close areas like 2009 districts that are in the worst 10% and 20% Walker and Jesmond show large respectively in the country: differences. There is a strong link here

to the lack of basic skills. Activities that Wansbeck 31.3% 62.5% Blyth Valley 20.0% 30.0% tackle barriers to learning and Berwick 17.6% 35.3% aspirations, and encourage Alnwick 12.5% 12.5% participation and volunteering are Castle Morpeth 10.0% 10.0% important, as is a focus on the more Tynedale 3.2% 6.4% disadvantaged communities.

E Literacy and Numeracy Community Action

Wansbeck is in the worst Many civil society organisations provide basic skills provision, 10% for both literacy and and even the larger ones are suffering from the current crisis

numeracy. Berwick is in in funding. In addition organisations that work with a the worst 5% for literacy particular vulnerable group, say ex-offenders, should be able (only Easington is worse to complement their core service with basic skills provision in 16 in the North East). Blyth order to fulfil their ambitions to support individuals towards Valley is also worse than Page stability. Emphasis could be placed on working in partnership average. to join up services.

D Academic attainment Community Action

Once again ward level data reveals a sharp division between In areas where there is rural and urban. For 5 or more GCSEs for example, poor literacy, numeracy Northumberland does very well against the national average, and low self esteem, the 83.5% against 80.5%. long term consequence will be poor academic At ward level 43 wards are at 100% achievement, most of attainment. It is crucial in them in Tynedale, Berwick and Alnwick. these areas that these early factors are tackled. Blyth Valley and Wansbeck trail well behind. For instance See below for the Sleekburn in Wansbeck is only 14.29%. Other measures, such contribution of civil as literacy and numeracy, key stages and NEETs show similar society. divisions.

D Bullying Community Action

Bullying is Organisations within the community and voluntary sector are well higher than placed to support anti-bullying work in schools, as they are working on average at 57th an on going basis with large numbers of children and young people in worst district in a range of settings. The types of intervention include: the country. There is no  Information, advice and support to parents breakdown to  Providing preventative information, strategies and peer support ward level, but schemes directly to children and young people it is likely that  Working with those who have already experienced bullying. bullying will be  Specialist work focussed on bullying prevention around more evenly homophobia, disability, special needs and racism, young carers spread. and domestic violence

C NEETs Community Action

The percentage of young people not Addressing the needs of this group requires cross in education, employment or training sectoral working. Civil society is good at engaging (NEET) is 6.7% compared with 6.1% excluded young people as part of a preventative nationally. The rate for socially approach and can help address young people disadvantaged young people is gain confidence, self-esteem and basic skills. much higher.

...and finally

Levels of unauthorised absence Over 85% of young people in Northumberland are from school are low, but the estimated to live within a short distance of their figures for authorised absence primary or secondary school.

seems significantly higher than average.

17 Page

Arts, Culture and Heritage B

Northumberland‟s assets are undeniable. This is a county that boasts spectacular buildings, a wealth of talent in fields ranging from folk music to the visual arts and an historical legacy that reflects its place at the heart of world history from Roman times to the Industrial Revolution.

Ironically it scores very badly on comparative measures in this area due to a focus on measuring assets per square kilometre. It is undeniable that access can be an issue, and enabling people to experience and appreciate the treasures on their doorstep has long been a major focus of philanthropic action. What’s working well A The assessment of heritage sites shows that Northumberland is statistically less well provided than all five of the Tyne and Wear districts. These figures are seriously flawed because they are based on number of sites per 1000 Km2. This entirely ignores the very large size of the county. When this data is translated to the actual number of sites it reveals that Northumberland has 36 such sites, while the whole of Tyne and Wear has 12. This is a major resource, especially in terms of tourism.

A The picture for listed buildings is similar with around 12,000 in Northumberland and 3,600 in Tyne and Wear.

B Cultural amenities cover sports grounds, theme parks, event venues, Visit England attractions, Michelin restaurants, performing arts venues and cathedrals. As with Heritage sites, Northumberland scores very badly, being the worst in the North East and in the bottom 10% nationally. But adjusted for geographical areas the county only has slightly less than Tyne and Wear in terms of numbers of sites (about 13%), and it has twice as many as Newcastle. Although accessibility by local residents will be a problem highlighted by the figures for density, it is nevertheless a major tourism asset for the county and therefore a strength. A Another way to look at this is the number of sites per 100,000 people. It looks like this for Northumberland and Tyne and Wear:

Heritage sites – Northumberland (11.5) Tyne and Wear (1.1) Listed buildings – Northumberland (3846) Tyne and Wear (322) Cultural amenities – Northumberland (60.3) Tyne and Wear (17.6) Where action is needed C Impact of the Regional Capital Community Action

The regional capital, Newcastle, gathers to itself Better transport access to the county the highest concentration of assets per square is needed, but it might also help to kilometre and, along with the riverside areas of proactively locate cultural activities in Gateshead is the biggest pull for visitors both the county rather than Newcastle.

within and outside the region. This has an impact Sites like Cragside are a popular 18 on Northumberland. Café culture is almost non- destination for civil society

existent. Also transport routes all converge on organisations to take vulnerable Page Newcastle, whereas routes to specific groups. This is something that could destinations in Northumberland are poor. easily be expanded.

D Access to amenities Community Action

This is a major issue for the rural areas. About half Participation is an important the population of Northumberland live in areas factor in general health and designated as rural. While some rural communities wellbeing, so barriers to access are quite affluent, there are many that are not, and matter. Public transport has a can be characterised as being in poverty. The role to play in this, but civil county scores very badly on access to basic society can contribute through amenities like banks, schools, GPs, post offices, etc. interventions that bring But the same point applies to cultural amenities. vulnerable groups, such as While the county is richly endowed with such sites, isolated older people, to the access for a significant proportion of local people is places where they can poor. participate.

C Vulnerable groups and localities Community Action

It is clear from the other themes that the urban areas of Perhaps the main focus of Northumberland have very similar issues to the philanthropy should be about disadvantaged areas of Tyne and Wear. For this supporting local groups to use reason interventions that support vulnerable people art as a means of achieving through arts and culture are just as important for Blyth their aims, and also supporting Valley and Wanbeck as they are for Tyne and Wear. groups specifically using participatory art for social ends. Transformation – Art is a powerful tool for transforming lives by developing confidence, aspiration Using art to tackle deprivation, and skills. It can challenge perceptions and help to or using it to get people more build cohesion. It can also be the means by which interested and engaged in communities express themselves and celebrate making and experiencing art diversity. are not mutually exclusive. Projects that address both are Engagement – encouraging participation among a more cost effective vulnerable groups through art is about using investment and maximise participatory art that focuses on the individual‟s needs social capital. rather than the art form. Beneficiaries include young people at risk, the unemployed, people with special Heritage and cultural sites educational needs or limiting health conditions, could also be encouraged to particularly the elderly, of which there are higher make a better offer to numbers in the county. vulnerable groups.

...and finally

The number of creative Northumberland has a very rich history going back to businesses and their prehistoric times. Other significant historical periods in employment levels doubled the county‟s history include: between 2010 and 2011, but The Roman occupation were still well below the national

Mediaeval monastic culture average. It is still identified as a The reivers and the border wars growth area however and there The Industrial Revolution 19 is a focus on its further Civil society organisations and volunteers play a major potential. Page role in preserving and raising awareness of this legacy.

Strong Communities B The overall impression is that people who live in Northumberland are happy with most things that contribute to an area‟s community strength, with the local participation in decision making being perhaps the only possible area of concern. Much of the information available for this theme is from the Place Survey, which doesn‟t drill down to ward level. It is therefore possible that an urban/rural difference exists that is not revealed here. What’s going well A The proportion of those who think that people don‟t treat each other with respect is very low, 26.8% compared with 31.2% in England and 35.5% in the North East. This measure from the Place Survey, together with many of the mostly good things below, point to rather strong perceptions of cohesion. A The number of people who believe people from different backgrounds get on well together in their locality is very high, with Northumberland ranking in the top 20% of sub regions. 80.5% of local people say they get on well together, compared with 73.8% in the North East and 76.4% nationally. A The proportion of people who feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood is very high at 68.5%, ranking Northumberland in the top 10% of sub regions nationally. This compares to the North East at 62.2% and England at 58.7%. A The proportion of people who think that anti-social behaviour is a problem is very low. It is the lowest in the North East and 20% lower than the national average. A Satisfaction by the over 65s for their home and neighbourhood is higher than average. This is significant because Northumberland has a high proportion of this age group.

A The percentage of people who give unpaid help at least once per month is higher than the national average and the highest in the North East by a considerable margin. It is 24.9% compared with Newcastle at 17.8%.

B The proportion of people who think the elderly get the support they need to stay in their own homes is very high at 36.2% compared with 30% nationally, and it is 34th highest in the country, just in the best 10%. As with the satisfaction of over 65s above, this is important for an area that has a high proportion of older people. Where action is needed D Isolation Community Action

Isolation is a common factor in predominantly rural Infrastructure is important here, but there is also much that civil communities, and there are a number of things that contribute to this: A higher than average elderly society can do. Befriending services are particularly helpful, 20 population; the poverty that exists in some rural increasing participation, communities; the poor public transport services; independence, health and well- Page and the lack of good broadband connectivity. being for vulnerable people.

D Democracy and local decision making Community Action

Turnout in the last 4 general elections Community and voluntary organisations play has shown an interesting division an important role in enabling marginalised between rural and urban. The figures communities of place, interest or identity to below are an average over the 4 engage with, and participate in, civic life: general elections for the four constituencies in the county: “…they can be engines for political and social development. A vibrant democracy needs Hexham 72.3% impulses from its citizens, and voluntary Berwick 67.6% organisations to create communication National 64.3% channels into the democratic process for Wansbeck 62.8% interest groups and citizens who are Blyth Valley 60.2% passionate about a cause. In this way, organisations help their members to Also in local elections some of the understand democracy and encourage them to urban turnouts were very low help shape public opinion and decision-making compared to the national average and through the ballot box.” (Association of NGOs to the rural turnouts. National average in Norway, 2009) is about 35.5%, but in places like Amble, East Berwick and Cowpen it Community philanthropy can help to foster this was as low as 23%. By contrast many process, and support efforts by local of the rural turnouts exceeded 50%. government and others to promote participation in local decision making, through Low electoral turnout is indicative of a support for initiatives that enable communities sense of disengagement with civic life, to “find their voice”. This is, for example, a and is generally accepted to be goal of the Kellett Fund at the Community indicative of a lack of community Foundation which has supported work by Age cohesion. Concern Northumberland to create a Blyth Senior Network. The network has been active in working with statutory agencies to ensure the views and needs of older residents are taken into account in the delivery of local services.

...and finally

One of the most noticeable things about Northumberland is its very low percentage of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The national percentage of non- white people is 9.08% while in Northumberland it is just 0.97%. Whilst the second language of Northumberland is Polish, as is the case for the UK as a whole, only 597 local residents actually speak it. No religion other than Christianity counts for more than 1% of the local population.

The reason for this lack of variation is not obvious, but it is possible that Northumberland might benefit from the social and cultural benefits that accrue from a more diverse population. 21

Page

Environment B Environmental issues present a real mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Northumberland‟s beautiful countryside and coastline are obvious assets. However, rural areas are affected by issues of access, while urban areas are more likely to be blighted by litter and graffiti. CO2 emissions are a concern. What’s going well A The natural beauty score, comprising Areas of Outstanding Beauty, Blue Flag Beaches, heritage coastlines, ancient woodland, nature reserves, national parks, and environmentally sensitive areas in the county is 179.96. This is well above the national average of 100 placing it just below the top 10% of sub regions nationally. A The tranquillity score, as measured by population density, in Northumberland was 427.72, placing it in the top 10% of sub regions nationally. To compare, the North East score was 89.1 and the Great Britain average was 100. A The air quality deprivation score is very low (low is good, as a measure deprivation). The national score is 0.97; Newcastle is 0.91 and unsurprisingly Northumberland is 0.58 and 12 best in the country. A Unsurprisingly, Northumberland is 7th best in England for green space. It is only beaten by the Eden Valley, West Devon, and four areas in Yorkshire. A Northumberland has the highest sunshine index in the North East and it is 5.4% above the national average.

Where action is needed E CO2 emissions Community Action

Per capita CO2 emissions are high in Northumberland: It is difficult to see how civil society can play a  Commercial emissions are the third highest in the significant role in country, although the closure of the Rio Tinto Alcan tackling this issue in plant at Lynemouth in 2012 may affect this status. terms of direct interventions to reduce  Domestic emissions are 2.86 tonnes per capita emissions. compared with 2.35 tonnes nationally and they are 26th highest in the country, well inside the highest 10% However there may be a role for environmental  Transport emissions are also high being 30th highest in groups to campaign for the country. action to reduce

emissions and promote public awareness.

However the use of 22 campaigning in the North East generally is Page

very low.

D Derelict land and buildings Community Action

Northumberland has an area of 70 square kilometres of There is a strong land and buildings that were previously developed but development trust network now vacant. This area is slightly more than the whole of in Northumberland that South Tyneside. Of course Northumberland is also large, might benefit from greater being the sixth largest county in England, it scores high for philanthropic support to quantity, but low for percentage of land area. bring derelict land and Nevertheless it is hard to dismiss an area the size of buildings back into use. South Tyneside as „not significant.‟

D Litter and Fly Tipping Community Action

This measure grades areas according to At heart these issues are about pride in the the levels of litter and fly tipping. The local area versus anti-social behaviour. Civil England average is 5.63 and society can play a leading role, and there Northumberland is higher at 8.00. Grades are good examples of partnership working for graffiti and fly posting are about the to tackle these problems. For example the national average, which means it is still Clean Glasgow Community and Voluntary not great. The figures don‟t indicate Organisations Charter, where civil society is where the incidents are so it is not clear if enabled and empowered to clean up and they are predominantly urban or rural. encourage pride in the local area.

E Local amenities and transport Community Action

Access to local amenities and being able to move Better public transport is needed around within the county is a key issue for residents but civil society can help with in rural communities, and more needs to be done to community transport schemes. connect people more effectively with key services This issue also links with isolation such as GPs, post office, hospitals etc. and befriending services.

...and finally Looking after the environment It would be easy to take the natural beauty and biodiversity of Northumberland for granted, so the community and voluntary sector have an important role to play in raising awareness of environmental issues and supporting local efforts to conserve wildlife habitats.

The Local Environmental Action Fund, hosted by the Community Foundation, brings together the Greggs Foundation, the Community Foundation and the Shears Foundation, with further funding from an anonymous donor to support local environmental action. It distributes just under a third of its available funding of £150,000 a year to projects in the county.

Ecological footprint This is a calculation of how much productive land and sea is needed to provide the energy, food and materials we use in our everyday lives, and how much land is required to

absorb our waste. It also calculates the emissions generated from the oil, coal and gas we 23 burn, and determines how much land is required to absorb them.

Page The national figure is 5.31 hectares and for Northumberland it is 5.13, so slightly below. However, it is the highest in the North East, although the range is narrow (Middlesbrough, the lowest, is 4.63 hectares). But compare this with London City, which is 7.18.

Healthy Living C Overall Northumberland does much better than the rest of the North East for health issues, as shown by the high number of good things identified. Once again the urban areas exhibit some of the characteristics of wards in Tyne and Wear, but these factors are very concentrated geographically. Northumberland is generally a healthy place to live. What’s going well B 1.64% of people of working age are inactive due to long term sickness. This is low compared to the national average of 2.27% and also the lowest in the North East. A Infant mortality in England and Wales is 4.5 per 1000. In Northumberland it is 24% below at 3.4 per 1000. A The suicide rate is 5.41 per 100,000 and 7.08 in the UK. B The teenage conception rate has fallen faster than the national average (17.4% against 13.3%). A Support to be independent with a long-term condition is 7.5% better than the national average and 12th best of 326 in England.

C Overall support to independence for all vulnerable groups (via supporting people) is 15% higher than the national average.

A Support for carers is very good, being 21% better than average.

C Participation in sport is slightly higher than the national average.

Where action is needed D Fruit and veg consumption Community Action

Fruit and veg consumption in A Big Lottery Fund analysis of voluntary Northumberland is a mixed bag across the sector projects they have funded is that: former districts. As with Tyne and Wear the levels of consumption are much higher for “Projects which engage people in children than adults, but this is true for the creative and holistic approaches to whole country. Wansbeck is significantly healthy eating, such as growing fruit and worse than the rest of the county with Blyth vegetables, creative cooking classes not far behind. For adults in Wansbeck the and food tasting sessions, have been level of consumption is only two thirds of the successful in increasing interest in national average and is the 4th lowest out of eating, cooking and enjoying more 354 districts. healthy food.”

E Female alcohol deaths Community Action

24 Female alcohol deaths per 1000 Civil society organisations can play a key role in

people is 43% higher than educating and diverting people from at risk groups, Page average. and provide a vital link to statutory services.

E Binge drinking, obesity and smoking Community Action

These issues are brought together because the statistics The most important are estimates based on a mixture of sampling and characteristic of civil society modelling and come with a recommendation for caution. organisations in relation to these issues is that they work However, the figures are sufficiently high to be taken with and understand the seriously. Northumberland County Council‟s Sustainable groups that are most Community Strategy, published in 2011, clearly vulnerable to these activities. identifies all three as significant issues. For example Activities include advice and smoking is the single greatest contributor to premature support; drop in facilities; death with 87% of deaths from lung cancer attributable awareness raising; healthy to the use of tobacco. lifestyle campaigns and referrals to appropriate public Binge drinking is as much as double in some areas, and services. there seems to be no urban rural divide. In a more generic way Only about 20% of wards are below the national organisations that focus on average for obesity and some are more than 50% particular vulnerable groups above. work to build confidence, self- Smoking prevalence is marginally better with more than esteem and stability, all of half the wards below average, but the most deprived which have a positive impact urban wards are nearly double. on these three issues. D Hospital admissions Community Action

Reducing the level of hospital An aging population, the health consequences admissions is a key challenge for the of social deprivation and specific issues such NHS. as high levels of alcohol abuse provide a partial explanation for the level of admissions Annual hospital admissions for the over in Northumberland. 65s in Northumberland are well above average with only Berwick slightly The other possible explanation is medical below. In Wansbeck the percentage is practice. In 2012 local Wansbeck MPs praised 68.79% and 6th highest in the country, Wansbeck Hospital for reducing unnecessary compared with 44.47% nationally. admissions by changing practices.

Admissions for other age groups are Civil society can help address the admissions also high (20.08% in England, but problem in a variety of ways, from supporting 33.39% in Wansbeck). older people to remain active to working to improve the health of poor communities and diverting the young from alcohol misuse.

...and finally Fertility is 14% lower than average and Life expectancy is Cancer and heart death is probably due to the proportionately about average and rates are around

older population and the lower the best in the average and the best in 25

proportion of 24-49 year olds. North East. the North East. Page

Local Economy D It has been extremely hard, to find any good news for the local economy in Northumberland. Productivity, employment and earnings are all low and the county is likely to be disproportionately affected by the knock on effect of recent austerity measures.

Yet the county has obvious physical and social assets that should make it an ideal location for business. Thriving civil society organisations are part of this offer, and can also help to ensure that the benefits of economic development are shared by all local residents.

What’s going well B Small business growth is high and the 16th best in the country. Only Newcastle and Middlesbrough have done better in the North East. A Business survival rates are higher than average. It is in the best 10% in the country for 36 months and in the best 12% for 12 months. B The employment share of small businesses is 23% higher than average and in the best 20% in the country. B Employment in creative industries almost doubled in the year 2010-11. This sector includes media, architecture, art, antiques, clothing, performing arts, photography, movies, publishing, software, television and radio. Where action is needed E GVA and GDP Community Action

GDP for the former districts of Northumberland is The two areas of the economy well below average. Blyth Valley is the best, but still where investment and growth 25% below average, while Alnwick is only half. could have an impact on areas like Tynedale are agriculture and Wansbeck is actually higher than average for GVA tourism and it is likely to be these per job, but at the other end Tynedale is a third that are suffering. See the less. However, comparing these figures with other interesting facts section about the rural areas around the country, such as Cumbria level of tourism employment and and Yorkshire, the picture is the same. It is likely business numbers for the County. that this is just a feature of the most rural areas. It should also be noted that civil More troubling is the change over the 12 years society organisations contribute to from 2001 to 2013. GVA grew nationally by 45.6% GVA significantly. Across the and Wansbeck and Blyth Valley exceeded this at country it contributes more than 59.29% and 51.24% respectively. However, Castle agriculture (£11.6 billion compared Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick were a third less and to £8.3 billion), and this figure most alarmingly Tyndale actually shrank by 2.4%. doesn‟t include the contribution of Only two other districts in England also shrank.

volunteers.

26 Page

D Earnings Community Action

There is an intriguing difference between earnings in the Clearly Northumberland is a Northumberland workplaces and earnings of its low pay area, although it residents. may be partly because of the

The workplace figure is not only well below the national high level of part time average (to be expected) but also well below earnings in employment and the large other parts of the North East. Gateshead is £470 per size of the tourism related week and Northumberland is £395 per week. jobs. It may be that the low pay discourages people from However the resident based earnings are the other way getting jobs in the county, around at £463 per week for Northumberland and just making it harder for £379 for Middlesbrough. businesses to attract good The only viable explanation for this is that a large number people. The creation of more of people who live in Northumberland commute social enterprises might southwards in order to maximise their earnings. help, and is a role for civil society. E Employment Community Action

The change in the employment rate for the year Civil society organisations are very 2010-11 is alarming. It fell by 4.47% while good at supporting people towards increasing slightly by 1.83% nationally. This is and into work, particularly those despite the fact that there has been a shift from furthest from the labour market and full time to part time employment which should with multiple barriers to employment. have reduced job losses. In Tynedale the fall was However the main issue is that the 9.31%, reinforcing the GVA issue above. jobs are not there.

...and finally

Size - Businesses are generally smaller. Businesses with turnover £100k - £500k is 7% higher than the national average, but for turnover between £1,000k and £5,000k it is 25% lower. Above £5,000k it is only half. This is emphasised by three other measures:

 The employment share of small businesses is 23% higher than the national average.  The growth of small businesses is 15% greater than the national average.  Businesses with more than 20 employees is 23% lower than the national average (5-19 is higher and 4 or less about average).

Age - The proportion of businesses under 10 years old is significantly lower than national average. On the other hand businesses 10 years old and over are much greater than national average. The proportion of businesses under 10 years is also falling while those more than 10 years old are still growing.

This could be good in that it demonstrates stability (this is strengthened by the much higher survival rates in Northumberland than nationally, for both 12 and 36 months).

Sectors - Those represented more than Although employment in tourism is 10.6% and the average in Northumberland are highest in the North East, it is noticeably less than Healthcare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, other comparable areas (Somerset 25%, Eden 27 food and drink, hotels and restaurants valley 21%, South lakes 19% Scarborough 16%, and tourism. Nearly two thirds of all Devon 15%). Is it possible that the county is not Page businesses are located in rural areas. taking full advantage of its charms?

Civil Society Organisations D The sector is struggling with the impact of public spending cuts and the move towards contracting which can disadvantage smaller groups. Philanthropy cannot bridge the funding gap that is opening, but it can perhaps help some organisations adapt to change.

Where action is needed Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE) has been running D a series of surveys into the impact of cuts on civil society organisations since 2009. The latest findings, published April 2013 and funded by the Millfield House Foundation identifies results specifically from Wansbeck. These are given below:  55.9% has seen a decrease in their funding  8.3% have been forced to make redundancies  69.5% have seen an increase in demand for their services  72.9% are using reserves or unrestricted funds to support their service  49.2% have received grants from the public sector  15.5% of organisations are likely to close within the current financial year  39.7% may have to reduce their service  37.7% will see a reduction in staff  94.4% said there will be no increase in staffing this year

The main point about these figures is that a rise in demand for services coincides with a significant reduction in service provision. The economic downturn is disproportionately affecting those communities that were already disadvantaged, and there is a strong case for civil society organisations to be resourced to meet that increased demand. This is not a case for sustaining organisations per se, but to prevent much higher costs for society in the future.

Of particular concern is the percentage of organisations using reserves and unrestricted funds. Whilst this might be a short term solution, it cannot be sustained in the long term and is a recipe for disaster. The 1 in 6 organisations likely to close in the coming year will inevitably become a much larger fraction.

Civil society organisations rarely operate in isolation. A common feature is referral to other services, either another civic society organisation or to services provided by the public or private sectors. Because the cuts have affected all sectors, particularly local authorities, the ability to refer to a needed service is also reduced. This strikes at the heart of attempts to provide seamless support and this breakdown in connectivity will have long-term consequences.

Competition for scarce funding is fierce and this now means that many very good and deserving applications are failing. Funders can reject on the basis of very small differences, and organisations are forced to narrow their focus, damaging some of their underlying aims, in order to precisely match a funder‟s criteria.

Significant staff reductions don‟t just mean loss of service provision. It also means

loss of key skills, experience and knowledge. 28

These results are in line with responses from the rest of the North East, Page demonstrating that the issues the sector is facing are found everywhere, particularly in the North. Therefore some of the priorities identified in last year‟s Vital Issues for Tyne and Wear are equally relevant here, and are worth repeating.

C Support for existing services Community Action

Because of reductions in funding, nearly 40% may Sustaining existing services that have to decrease the number of services they are badly needed is a crucial role provide. The other 60% will continue services by for philanthropists. It is highly cost cutting back staff hours and wages rather than effective because it would be making people redundant. Whilst this means that much more expensive in the long services can still operate, they will be under severe term to start over after projects, strain, particularly given the rise in demand. Many and sometimes organisations, organisations will have to reduce the number of cease to operate. Retaining staff beneficiaries they support. The need to sustain allows the organisations to build these services through the period of cuts, which are back up to full strength when not yet over, is essential. times get better.

C Short term and core funding Community Action

Short term funding has always been an issue, but there Community philanthropists has been a significant increase in recent times. Funding might consider a more streams that have experienced large reductions in strategic approach to their capacity are much more reluctant to support activities giving, not just under this over three and even two years. One year funding is now theme but across the board, more common. This has several effects: It is harder to perhaps working in maintain continuity and retain staff: It is almost partnership around an issue. impossible to plan for the long term: And staff have to Essentially strategic longer spend time away from providing badly needed services term funding that includes to find more money. Also many funding streams won‟t core functions can support support core functions despite being crucial to the strategic longer term effective delivery of services. interventions.

D The role of grants Community Action

VONNE‟s Surviving or Thriving report identifies grant Civil society lost a significant giving as crucial to the sector: amount of strategic grant funding with the demise of “Grants are the lifeblood of the Voluntary Sector. funding streams like the Investment in the form of grants is entirely legitimate and Neighbourhood Renewal desirable. In many cases the individuals that use VCS Fund, and nothing has come services do not have the means to pay for them. The along in its place. need is great but the market is limited. Without grants services will close and vulnerable people will be left Therefore the contribution of without a safety net. In many cases it is not because community philanthropists is organisations are not business-like enough that brings more important than ever, them to the edge of closure. The emphasis on and there is a good case for transformation and social finance misses the stark reality philanthropists to come that there is chronic need but no market for the services together and act together that many VCS organisations provide. Fund the sector to more strategically and over deliver the services that vulnerable people rely on, longer time frames. otherwise those services will be lost and people will

suffer.” 29 Page

Young People C The experience of young people in much of Northumberland is significantly better than that of their peers in Tyne and Wear. However this should not deflect attention from the challenges many face growing up in isolated rural communities or pockets of urban deprivation.

What’s working well B The impact of poor housing on children is captured as a combination of housing factors, such as overcrowding, no central heating, etc. Again Northumberland does particularly well. There are about a dozen wards, mostly in Berwick that are higher than the national average, and probably relate to the prevalence of non-decent privately rented accommodation.

B Drunk and rowdy behaviour is 15% lower than the national average. Youth re- offending is two thirds the national average. Successfully engaging young offenders into suitable education, employment and training is 15% better than average.

B The proportion of people who think that anti-social behaviour is a problem is very low. It is the lowest in the North East and 20% lower than the national average.

A Infant mortality in England and Wales is 4.5 per 1000. In Northumberland it is 24% below at 3.4 per 1000.

B The teenage conception rate has fallen faster than the national average (17.4% against 13.3%).

Where action is needed E Unemployment Community Action

10.06% of 16-24 year olds were unemployed in There are a wide variety of civil society Northumberland in 2011; almost double that of organisations trying to help young Newcastle, and the 41st worst out of 480 people into work, either targeting districts. particular vulnerable groups or with employability as their main focus. At ward level, rural wards have rates similar to However, the consolidation of previous the rest of the country, but in the urban wards 8 employability funding into the single wards are more than double. The biggest Work Programme led by prime contrast is Ponteland West at 2.12% and contractors has deprived many of College at 20.33%. This is likely to be more like these organisations of vital resources. 23% in 2013. College, Hirst and Amble wards Community philanthropists could help are all higher than the worst ward in Tyne & to fill the gaps in provision, particularly Wear and 12th, 13th and 24th respectively out where the Work Programme has failed

of over 8000 wards in the country. to deliver.

30 Page

E Poverty Community Action

A quarter of all pre 2011 wards have child poverty Child poverty is closely levels above the national average, with four wards associated with unemployment more than double. The wards are all urban and the and particularly workless majority are in Wansbeck followed by Blyth Valley. households. The most Poverty has a huge impact on a child‟s life. Education important interventions are attainment can be half the average. There is much less around helping vulnerable social participation. Unless action is taken it is individuals and families to estimated that 25% of children will live in poverty. overcome barriers to work.

D Care Leavers Community Action

Northumberland Leaving care is a daunting process for young people, and they need a does particularly lot of support to achieve stability. They are 3 times more likely to badly in housing offend, 4 times more likely to have mental health issues, 5 times less people leaving likely to do well at school, 8 times more likely to be excluded. 20% of care (it is 277th all homeless people are care leavers. Support into suitable out of 326). accommodation is a vital need for this group.

D Impact of crime Community Action

The Child Wellbeing Indicator (CWI) The county will have a crime and community measures the impact of crime on safety plan and it is essential that affected children. Only 1 in 6 of the county‟s communities are involved in the process through wards are better than the national its voluntary organisations and community groups. average, and the Hirst and Park wards Civil society is particularly skilled at engaging, of Wansbeck are in the worst 1%, mobilising and facilitating a community‟s voice on th th being 30 and 66 out of about 8000 crime, as well as delivering diversionary activities. wards. By comparison the worst ward th The preventative quality of actions that increase in Newcastle, Elswick, is 255 worst. social capital are also important.

D Learning Community Action

Literacy and numeracy, low academic Civil society organisations are attainment or having no qualification at all, particularly good at working with are higher than average in many urban areas vulnerable young people, dealing with of the South East placing them in the worst issues such as self-esteem, basic skills 10%. Bullying is also quite high. and barriers to education.

D Health Community Action

Binge drinking is as much as double in The most important characteristic of civil society some areas. Child obesity is 50% organisations in relation to these issues is that above average on the worst wards. they work with and understand the groups that are

Healthy eating (fruit and veg most vulnerable. Activities include advice and consumption) is lower than average support; drop in; awareness raising; healthy for children, although better than the lifestyle campaigns and referrals to appropriate 31 adult figure. public services. Page

Sources and acknowledgements

Electronic sources

Gathering so much diverse information together in one place inevitably means that the list of sources is very large. There is not enough space here to acknowledge every web-based source used, but the most notable ones are listed below.

Action for Children – Information about children leaving care – actionforchildren.org.uk Adapt North East – An organisation dedicated to the quality of life of disabled people and those disadvantaged by lack of public transport – adapt-ne.org.uk. Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre – A community hub offering employment and educational support. Central government – direct.gov.uk Citizen’s Advice Bureau – citizensadvice.org.uk Confederation of British Industry – cbi.org.uk Connect4change – A partnership of VCS support organisations since 2011 – connect4change.co.uk. Creative People and Places in East Northumberland – creativepeoplenorthumberland.com Extended Services in Northumberland – educational support organisation – extendedservicesncc.co.uk Federation of Northumberland Development Trusts – fondt.org Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) – ippr.org Local Futures – localfutures.com – A subscription service offering access to a wealth of statistical data. This is our main source of information. Local government – Northumberland Knowledge is a knowledge portal maintained by the Policy and Research Team at Northumberland County Council. It is a superb resource. National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) – ncvo-vol.org.uk National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) – navca.org.uk North East Federation of Small Businesses – fsb.org.uk Northern Rock Foundation – the Third Sector Trends Study is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to assess the state of the sector. Office of National Statistics (ONS) – ons.gov.uk Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE) – vonne.org.uk Private Equity Foundation – privateequityfoundation.org Social Regeneration Consultants – A North East based organisation delivering projects and programmes nationally, but also a partner in the Connect4change

partnership – socialregeneration.com.

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A very large number of civil society organisations, many of them members of the Northumberland infrastructure organisations, have contributed through their websites. The types of contribution are as follows:

 Information from directly within websites that relate to their particular specialisms.  Links to key documents, sometimes their own and sometimes links to useful research and policy documents elsewhere. Often this route provided important statistics not available through Local Futures.  Key information about beneficiaries and their needs.  Face-to-face, telephone and email exchanges with the key people identified below.

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People

We have discussed aspects of this report with a number of individuals that have knowledge of Northumberland. That said the findings set out herein are those of the authors alone, and should not be ascribed to any of the individuals we have consulted. There are doubtless key people that we have not consulted, due to the limited time available to us. We hope they will forgive us, and contribute their views to the consultation surrounding Vital Signs. We would like to thank:

The staff of VONNE, particularly Jo Curry and Carrie Brookes Rachel Adam – Creative People and Places South East Northumberland Gail Ballance, Hirst Welfare Centre Thom Bradley, CVA Blyth Valley George Courtice – a director of VONNE with a long history of involvement in Northumberland‟s voluntary and community sector Georgie Cruddas, Sixty Eighty Thirty Kirsten Francis – Principal Policy Officer in the County Council‟s Transformation Group, with in depth knowledge of both the voluntary and community sector and areas of disadvantage in Northumberland Andrew Gooding, Lynemouth Community Trust Cath George – Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre Fiona Gibson, Centrepoint Simon Hansen – Federation of Small Businesses Toby Lowe – Helix Arts Ian McRae, Gallery Youth Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Fiona McDonald, Gateway into the Community Yvonne Probert – Social Regeneration Consultants (SRC), a partner in Connect4Change Ven Peter Robinson – Archdeacon of Lindisfarne Cullagh Warnock, Northern Rock Foundation

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Mark Pierce Head of Policy, Projects and Programmes Roger Mould Community Foundation Consultant Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Denton Cottage 156 Pilgrim Street Orchard Road Newcastle Upon Tyne Rowlands Gill Tyne and Wear Tyne & Wear NE1 6SU NE39 1DN

T: 0191 222 0945 T: 01207 543106 F: 0191 230 0689 M: 07983 449 786 E: [email protected] [email protected] uk.linkedin.com/pub/roger-mould/36/109/2b1

The Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is a registered charity (number 700510) and limited company (number 2273708).

Northumberland‟s Vital Issues © Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland 2013. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the copyright owner. 35

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