Notes of Meeting Held On: 2 October 2016, 10.00 A.M. at ELCAP, Easington Lane
COALFIELD AREA VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR NETWORK:
Notes of Meeting held on: 2 October 2016, 10.00 a.m. at ELCAP, Easington Lane
Present:
Wendy Cook-SNCBC
Jan Young -Live Life Well
Becky Nelmes -Gateway North East ,Elemore Lane
Nicola Nelmes-Gateway North East, Elemore Lane
Irene Dolby-HOPE
Irene Creaser-HOPE
Karen McKinney -Age UK , Coalfields
Kevin Reilly-Houghton le Spring pipe band
Mandy Thompson-Community Volunteer Worker, Children’s Centres
Hilary Avent-Hetton New Dawn
Harry Graham-St Oswalds, Shiney Row
Paul Finch-Hetton New Dawn
Carolyn Hough-The Canny Kitchen
Ann Donkin-Gentoo
Sonia Newhouse-SNCBC
Marie Brett-Sunderland City Council, Library Service
Ashleigh Banks-Alzheimers Society
Paul Atkinson-Wear Rivers Trust
Steve Donkin-They Young Foundation
David Snowdon-Advice on Prescription, ShARP
Shaun Newton-ELCAP
Elaine Harbron-Sunderland City Council, Community IT
Alex Humble-Children’s Centres, SNCBC
Margaret Simpson-Sunderland City Council, Library Service
Sandra Small-Social Activity Navigator, B Active and B Fit
Keith Miller-Sunderland Carers Centre
Pauline Hopper-Area Community Development Lead, Sunderland City Council
Apologies:
Councillor Anne Lawson-Sunderland City Council
Dave McCreedy-Fencehouses YMCA
Doris Turner-Hetton Fellowship of Churches
Ethel Richardson-Inner Wheel
Christine Britcliffe-Space 4
Kevin Clark-BIG Local
Dave Brennan-Kepier Academy
Ann Birkbeck-Houghton Racecourse CA
Trish Cornish-VCAS
Penny White-Houghton Racecourse CA
Wendy Hunter-Alzheimers Society
Laura Bartlett-Sunderland City Council
Anthony Hindmarch-Sunderland City Council
1 / Welcome, Introductions & ApologiesWendy Cook (Chair ) welcomed everyone to the meeting and a round of introductions were made. / Action
2 / Notes of Previous Meeting
Agreed as a true record.
3 / Sunderland Libraries
Marie Brett of Sunderland City Council Library Service updated the group on the current review of public library services in Sunderland. The service was first reviewed in 2013, giving the current model of 1 main library (Houghton le Spring) and two outreach libraries (Shiney Row and Hetton) in the Coalfield area. The Community Library service has a number of book collection points across the area where books are located in community buildings for people to use and loan. There is still a huge challenge to make savings to Council budgets and a number of services, including libraries, will need to be changed to help meet the financial deficit. Consultation is currently underway and all members of the group were encouraged to take part in a survey and come up with ideas and creative ways to deliver services in a different way. A report to Cabinet in December will outline proposals for the new service and further consultation on these proposals will take place after Christmas. The new library model is due to commence in April 2017. / All to take part in survey
4 / Lumley Park Burn River Improvement Project
Paul Atkinson of Wear Rivers Trust informed the group of a project to improve Lumley Park Burn. Funding from the Environment Agency, Sunderland City Council and Par Petroleum has been identified to provide financial support. The Burn runs from Chester le Street to Fencehouses, Burnmoor, Houghton le Spring and Hetton. There will be a number of opportunities for people to help out by volunteering for schemes such as tree management, removal of invasive species, tree planting and river clearing. Twelve tasks have been identified to commence in February/March 2017. A drop in event has been organised to tell people more about the project and discuss volunteering opportunities and tasks for all ages and abilities to get involved with. A drop in with information boards etc.. will be held 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday 2 November 2016 at the Hetton Centre (see attached).
5 / Area Committee Update
Wendy Cook updated the group on the Coalfield Area Committee which had taken place the previous evening.
Update on Area Priorities
Support for local shopping centres – Area Committee continue to provide support and agreed to fund a Retail Support Project of up to £50,000 via a Call for Projects. Further info to be circulated in the next week or two.
Environmental Improvement and Education – updates were given on two SIB funded projects which involve local people in Love Where you Live type activities to keep their neighbourhood clean and green.
Local events and celebrations - The opening evening of Houghton Feast was highlighted as a successful community event, involving a number of local schools and with up to 300 community members performing on the evening. Thanks were given to those involved. Area Committee approved further funding for local events to take place.
Reduce Social Isolation – An evaluation has taken place and a number of successful projects have been awarded further funding to continue. A Call for Projects will invite local organisations to apply for funding to deliver small projects of up to £2,500. Further information will be circulated in the next week.
6 / Any Other Business / Information Sharing (round table)
VCAS are holding a winter funding event 9 – 12 on 1 December at Bede Tower, Sunderland. Places must be booked. Contact
Elaine Harbron informed the group that Sunderland City Council Community IT are still available for IT Support and equipment loan to community groups.
Ann Donkin, Gentoo updated on a Community Clean Up day at Easington Lane on Friday 28 November. The clean up will take place 12.30 – 2 p.m. followed by fun activities for children and young people at the Flatts Youth Centre 2 – 4 p.m.
A new lunch club at the Nidderdale Centre will commence Monday 31 November. Further details from Ann Donkin.
The Advice on Prescription project delivered by ShARP continues to be extremely busy. Advice and support on money related issues is available at local GP surgeries and at ShARP in Shiney Row.
Steve Donkin from the Young Foundation reminded the group that the Communities Can project is still available until December. Groups with a turnover of less than £10,000 can apply for up to £2,500 worth of support to develop their organisation. Anyone interested can contact
Ashleigh Banks from the Alzheimers Society informed the group about a number of support groups available
1st Monday of month and 4th Thursday of month 11.30 – 2 p.m. Dementia Café at Ewesley Road Methodist Church
3rd Monday of month 2 – 4 p.m. Singing for the Brain at Grindon Church
4th Tuesday of month 11.30 – 2 p.m. Dementia Café at Washington Mind
2nd Wednesday of month 11.30 – 2 p.m. Dementia Café, St Cuthberts Church
Last Wednesday of month 1 – 3 p.m. Carers, Prince of Wales Centre
1st Thursday of month 10 – 12 Singing for the brain, Bede Tower
For further information or if interested in Awareness Sessions (Dementia Friends and Younger People with Dementia) contact
Houghton Pipe Band are available for Burns Night Celebrations (January). Contact Kevin Reilly for further information
The Social Activity Navigator continues to offer 1-2-1 and group support to those who are socially isolated and need additional support. If anyone has a group they would like Sandra to attend please contact her on 07837 510403 or
The Carers Centre are setting up a new drop in for carers at Space 4 in Houghton le Spring. Meetings will be held 10 – 12 on the second Tuesday of each month commencing 8 November. Contact Debbie Ainscow for further information
Alcohol Awareness week commences 14 November. If anyone wold like a display for their premises please contact the Live Life Well service
The Canny Kitchen is hoping to commence cookery sessions at Space 4 in the new year. Further information will follow.
Gateway North East has a number of activities each week for young people (up to 25) with a disability. Music Jam takes place on a Tuesday evening and Multi Sport takes place 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. each Friday. Gateway are also collecting donations for ‘Christmas Magic’ providing items for hospital bags for Christmas. Contact
7 / Meeting Dates for the year ahead 10:00am
17th November 2016
15th December 2016
Venue: ELCAP, Brickgarth, Easington Lane, DH5 0LE
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