Reaching a milestone
We’ve reached a major milestone – 1,500 member organisations working together to strengthen the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the North East. This page is a celebration of your voices, your impact, and the power of connection.
Members are at the heart of everything we do. Each organisation, from the smallest grassroots group to the largest regional charity, brings invaluable passion and expertise to improving lives across the North East. Reaching 1,500 members is not just a milestone to celebrate; it is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we stand together, share knowledge and amplify one another’s voices. Quite simply, without our members, there would be no us.
Stronger Together : Our members
As a constituted membership organisation, our Chief Executive, Martin Brookes took time to reflect on what membership means and why reaching 1500 members is so important.
"VONNE is a membership organisation and reaching 1500 members is an important milestone worth highlighting and celebrating. It shows the value the VCSE sector in the North East sees in membership and increases the reach and the effectiveness of the services we provide directly to members. A large and growing membership makes VONNE a more powerful advocate for the work of the sector in the region; together our voice is stronger.
We will continue to develop, improve, and extend the services we provide to members so we can grow the network further, supporting and strengthening the North East VCSE sector into the future."
Job Finder - shaped by members
Members tell us that advertising job vacancies is one of the key reasons they join VONNE, so it’s no surprise that from its beginnings in 2000, Job Finder has grown into the go-to jobs board for the North East VCSE sector.
Since 2000 we’ve advertised more than 10,000 roles, with over 4,000 roles advertised in the last 4 years. That’s over 10,000 quality candidates joining your organisations and bringing their skills to our sector and region. While we love hosting and promoting your job adverts, it’s the roles members list, and the feedback you've given us about using the service, that make Job Finder what it is.
Member stories
We love showcasing the work our members are doing. Read some of our member stories here.
Novo Theatre
In this blog, Silver membership+ members Novo Theatre, tell us about their charity's recent rebrand and their newly revamped development programme supporting freelance theatre makers in the North East.
North East Enterprise Agency
This blog from North East Enterprise Agency Ltd highlights the contribution that socially trading organisations make to the local community and economy, and shares a case study of what they can achieve with the right support.
Shine On
This blog from Denise Farrar, CEO of Shine On, tells us about their charity's recent rebrand and some of their key developments over the last 8 months.
Action Foundation
This blog from Duncan McAuley, CEO of Action Foundation, tells us about their report uncovering the human impact of the summer riots in 2024.
Mortal Fools
This blog from Silver Membership+ members, Mortal Fools, shares how North East businesses have gifted mental health support to children across the North East through their creative intervention programme delivered in schools.
Emmaus North East
This blog, written by Emmaus North East, celebrates their win at the North East Charity Awards 2024 and some of the important work they have been doing across the region.
Daisy Chain Project
This blog from the award-winning Daisy Chain Project was written to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2023.
Nepacs
This blog written by Nepacs, shares with us a great new volunteering opportunity to support their Independent Visitor service.
NE Youth
Shared during Youth Work Week, this story celebrates one of NE Youth's regular youth sessions delivered in partnership with Children North East, made possible thanks to funding from the David Dockray West End Young People's Fund.
Gateshead Older People's Assembly
This guest blog from Craig Bankhead, CEO of Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, discusses a project he has undertaken within his Clore Fellowship studies.
Rise
This blog post, written by Rise, explores the work the charity has been doing to support young people in South Tyneside.
Spotlight on Gold
Discover the passion and vision driving change in our communities by watching our Spotlight on Gold interviews with North East charity leaders. They share what they are proudest of, the impact their work has on our region and sector, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and how VONNE can support organisations to thrive. These conversations offer an inspiring glimpse into the people shaping a stronger future for our region.
Meet the member services team!
To help you get the most out of your membership, our dedicated member services team are always on hand. We love getting to know you better, so please get in touch and say hello.
Laura Elliot
Member Services Manager
Meet Laura, as the manager of the team, Laura leads on all things member services. Working with our Chief Executive and Senior Management Team to set the strategic direction of VONNE, Laura champions members, ensuring they are a valued and central focus of our work.
Gemma Broadhead
Membership and Communications Support Officer
Gemma is our Membership master! She keeps memberships running smoothly and processes new ones, curates content for your member bulletin and processes your job adverts. Internally, she supports the wider team and our board to understand data and trends around our members and support services. If you've ever had a question about your membership, there's a good chance you've spoken to Gemma!
Mandeep Chohan
Operations and Member Services Support Officer
Meet Mandeep! Mandeep is responsible for all things FINE (Funding Information North East), a benefit for Membership+. She curates and sends our fortnightly funding bulletin, and keeps our online Funding Directory up to date with the latest information on grants and opportunities. Along with Gemma she's often the first port of call for members queries.
Get involved and find out more
Share your stories
Have a story, news or updates you want to share? Get in touch.
Keep in touch
Join our networks, sign up to bulletins, connect with us on socials.
Help us grow
Know an organisation who would benefit from membership? Put them in touch and we'll do the rest.
Get more from membership
Sign up for Membership+ to access a great range of enhanced benefits.