A freelance consultancy opportunity has arisen to support the LARCH - Local Access Redcar, Cleveland and Hartlepool programme as Social Enterprise Development Officer.

The LARCH programme was developed to nurture and encourage the creation and growth of social enterprises across Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland.

We are seeking a temporary consultant to support the programme for 3 days a week, on a self-employed basis, until a full-time replacement is recruited. This client facing role will focus on promoting the programme, supporting applicants in creating applications to LARCH and working on developing a peer-to-peer support programme.

If you have a strong knowledge of the VCSE sector and experience in supporting organisations to develop and grow, we'd love to hear from you.

Thursday 12th March 2026, 9.50am – 4.30pm, Redhills, Durham

Communities across the North East have long been shaped by solidarity, collective action, and a deep sense of place. Yet decades of deindustrialisation, policy shifts, and fragmented investment have weakened many of the social foundations that once sustained local democracy and shared prosperity.

From the Ground Up is a one-day knowledge exchange summit bringing together community organisations, funders, local authorities, social investors, and researchers to explore how power, resources, and decision-making can be genuinely devolved to residents - and how we sustain that shift for the long term

Hosted in Durham’s historic Redhills - the former Miners’ Parliament - the day blends heritage, lived experience, research, and practical action. Expect a mix of inspiring performances, grounded case studies, and hands-on workshops designed to move beyond “quick wins” towards patient, people-led investment and shared stewardship of community assets.

VONNE is currently leading the VCSE sector reform strand of the North East Combined Authority Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, working to build strong foundations for system reform and develop ambitious, sustainable ways of working that maximise the skills, capacity and contribution of the VCSE sector.

As the project moves into its next phase, the team want to ensure that current findings genuinely reflect VCSE experience. To do this, they have created a short temperature check document to test whether current analysis aligns with the views of VCSE organisations working in employment and skills support.

The team are keen to hear:

• Whether this reflects your experience
• Where it does feel accurate and where it does not

In addition, if your organisation is likely to be affected by the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in March 2026, we would welcome hearing from you. Please contact Georgia Morris, Data Officer, to share details of potential impacts.

Please send your comments to Siobhan Flynn and Georgia Morris by 5pm on Wednesday 21st January via the linked email addresses.

If you wish to provide more detailed insight, you can also contribute via the engagement survey, which remains open.

Complete the survey here.

Read the temperature check document here.

Wednesday 4th February, 10:00am – 12:00pm, online via Teams

As part of the North East and North Cumbria VCSE Research Partnerships Programme, we are co-delivering this session with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria. Participants can expect to learn what health and care research is, why it is important and how the VCSE sector can be involved at each stage of the research cycle.

This is an introductory training, and no level of experience in research is necessary. The session is open to anyone working in a VCSE organisation in the North East and North Cumbria.

As part of our package of member benefits, VONNE’s Gold and Silver Membership+ supporters have the opportunity to submit a guest post for our website.

This blog by Birju Bartoli, Chief Executive of Silver Associate Members Northumbria NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust, celebrates the partnerships between the NHS and voluntary organisations, and showcases the value of the sector to the communities we both serve.

The government has been urged to ensure that charities and state bodies have the resources they need to implement the Civil Society Covenant. At the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on charities and volunteering, Hampshire council leader Nick Adams-King said: “Too often voluntary organisations are brought in late, or superficially, or simply to tick a box. True partnership is transformation, it's not just about commissioning – it’s about co-production, shared ambition and mutual respect.”

The calls for government resources came after chancellor Rachel Reeves was urged by Mental Health Matters to introduce a £20m central implementation fund for the covenant ahead of her November budget.

Read the full story on the Civil Society website.

The charity sector has navigated a period of significant difficulty in recent months – feeling increasingly unsafe and under threat amid rising societal tensions. NCVO has recently published a new report which explores impact of rise in extremism and social division on the voluntary sector.

In October 2025, NCVO held a week of listening sessions with representatives from 46 voluntary organisations to hear more about the realities they face. Across these five sessions, participants described rising levels of fear, intimidation and online hate. The report shares testimonies from attendees that reveals a serious threat preventing organisations from delivering their core missions safely.

Thursday 22nd January, 10am – 12pm – Online

Social enterprises create meaningful change – but are you telling that story effectively?

For social enterprises, effectively communicating your impact is paramount for building trust with your community and beneficiaries, attracting supporters and funders, and advocating for change.

This interactive workshop from PNE will give you tips and tools to confidently showcase your achievements and create powerful resources that move beyond the numbers to craft compelling narratives that resonate with funders, partners, and the communities you serve. Learn how to identify your key impact metrics, develop compelling communication strategies including impact reports and social media content, and effectively demonstrate the positive change you're driving in your area.

Many communities across the country are feeling the effects of disconnection and isolation. Economic insecurity, the loss of shared spaces, polarisation online, and ongoing inequalities have created conditions where hate and extreme politics are taking hold. NAVCA has published a new report, Connecting Communities, enabling common ground, which explores the vital role of Local Infrastructure Organisations and the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in building connections and fostering social cohesion.

Read the accompanying blog on the NAVCA website to find out more and download the report.

Understanding your staff is key to running a successful VCSE organisation. That can be through one-to-one conversations, team discussions, and staff surveys. Essentially, a staff survey can unearth what people think is working well in the organisation, and which areas need more attention.

This Charity Digital article explores why staff surveys are so important, the benefits of running them, and how you might conduct one.

The latest report in the Third Sector Trends series has recently been published, with a focus on People, Work, Ambition and Impact. Since 2010, the study has undertaken a large-scale survey every three years to gauge how the sector is faring across themes including people, finance and relationships, expanding its scope since 2019 to encompass the whole of England and Wales.

The report finds that although the number of employees in the third sector has risen, there is much complexity. In 2025, 26% of third sector employers reported an increase in full-time staff while 18% stated that numbers had fallen. Smaller employers have been more vulnerable to declining full-time staff numbers.

In this episode of Third Sector Podcast, Deputy Andy Ricketts and Lucinda Rouse are joined by Clara Govier, Managing Director of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Clara outlines the process for disbursing funds to charities and explains what the People’s Postcode Lottery looks for in prospective charity partners. 

She also gives her thoughts on how funders could work together more effectively and puts forward the case for lifting the sales cap on charity lotteries.

Thursday 12th February, 9am – 4pm – Online

Charities face rising costs, reduced donations and growing demand for services. Many teams are stretched. Financial decisions feel tougher. The stakes feel higher. 

Join Third Sector for Pounds & Purpose, the must-attend one-day virtual summit taking place on 12 February 2026. Chaired by Emily Burt, editor of Third Sector, this event provides practical, strategic guidance to help you navigate financial pressure, regulatory change and rapid shifts in technology. You’ll hear from sector leaders and finance specialists who will share clear, usable actions you can apply today.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is launching a major new free advice service as part of a £4m initiative to support families across the region to cut energy bills and keep warm this winter.

North East Warm Homes is available to households across the North East to help them reduce their energy bills through installing energy saving home improvements, and the website offers advice and information, and links to local installers, grants and funding. You can also create a home energy action plan tailored to your home. ​All the support is impartial and delivered by the experts at Energy Saving Trust, with expert advice available over the phone. ​

You may also be eligible to have a visit from an expert advisor, who can create a tailored report and support you in applying for grants and funding. ​The service is funded by the North East Combined Authority, with in-home support delivered by Groundwork North East & Cumbria and Community Action Northumberland. ​

You can contact their team of expert advisors directly on freephone 0808 175 9345 on Monday - Friday between 9am – 5pm or visit northeast-warmhomes.co.uk for more information.

Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 – 23^rd – 25^th January

The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers take part and record the birds that visit their garden, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring.

International Day of Education 2026 – 24^th January

International Day of Education is a UN observance held in January every year. Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility, and this day is a celebration of the role of education in peace and development.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 – 27^th January

Holocaust Memorial Day brings people from all backgrounds together to learn lessons from the past in creative, reflective and inspiring ways. This year’s theme 'Bridging Generations', is a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with survivors - it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us.

National Storytelling Week 2026 – 31^st January – 8^th February

National Storytelling Week is a joyful, annual opportunity to celebrate the power of stories. The theme for 2026 is ‘Speaking Story into the Darkness’ and encourages everyone to take this week to immerse yourselves in telling, sharing and listening to stories.

How does social prescribing for children and young people work in practice? What impact have different projects had? And how do we join up a system that can seem complex and confusing?

The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) have published a new flipbook setting out how social prescribing can support children and young people's mental health. It highlights 17 examples of innovative projects across England, which include two projects from the North East and North Cumbria:

• Barnardo’s Cumbria LINK project - through which young people are referred to link workers by GPs, other healthcare professionals or schools and work with a variety of community groups
• SPACE Pilot - a partnership between Ways to Wellness and the Great North Children’s Hospital using a social prescribing approach to support children and young people with complex medical conditions

You may also be interested in NASP's recent webinar - 'It’s not one size fits all for CYP social prescribing'. You can watch the recording on their website here.

Over the past three years, The King’s Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund have been working together to support five local areas in England to develop partnership working between the NHS, local authority, and voluntary and community sector organisations through the Healthy Communities Together programme.

This report shares learning gained through the programme, and offers practical details and insights to support others who are seeking to develop partnership working within their local areas.

Thursday 29th January, 5.30pm – 7.30pm - The Boiler House, Newcastle.

Join Insights North East and researchers from UCL for a special launch of the newly published report, Community-led non-clinical interventions in men’s mental health and wellbeing in North East England.

Men in the North East of England face some of the highest rates of suicide and despair in the UK, driven by deindustrialisation, isolation, and the erosion of community life. This research explores the value of community-led, non-clinical interventions for men’s mental health in post-industrial areas. Working in partnership with three grassroots organisations in Sunderland, Sacriston, and Chopwell, the report highlights how these organisations offer safe, consistent spaces that foster trust, belonging, and purpose.

Following a presentation on the report, the UCL team will be joined by a response panel to reflect on the findings. 

Tuesday 10th February 2026, 1pm - 4pm, Barbara Strang Teaching Centre, Newcastle University

Do you want to feel more confident in designing and delivering inclusive public engagement?

In this interactive workshop, you will explore how inclusive and equitable public engagement can strengthen your public health research. You'll gain tools and tips for improving your public engagement practice and planning, embedding principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) into your work.

Anyone who has an interest in public health, EDI, public involvement and engagement, and health inequalities is welcome - including professionals working in local authorities and healthcare, researchers, university staff, and the voluntary and community sector.

Tuesday 4th March, 9.30am to 1pm - Durham Town Hall

Join The North East Anti-Racism Coalition for their next event, looking at the progress that has been made so far, the next steps needed and success stories from around the North East.

As part of their work, and thanks to feedback at previous events, the coalition have been working on developing a pledge which will be formally launched at this event. The pledge will provide an opportunity for organisations from all sectors and all sizes, and individuals across communities to make a stand against racism, join a confident new movement, share learning and materials, and support each other as peers.

Alongside the pledge, the event will be providing the usual space to talk, as well as updates on other areas of work, and how you can get involved.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) are launching a new Energy Support Network for energy advisors. This project is made possible thanks to funding from National Grid‘s Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund. It covers England and Wales and will run as a pilot until March 2026.

By joining the network you will have access to:

• An online Microsoft Teams channel to ask questions and share resources and best practice with other advisors.
• Ongoing training and knowledge sessions on energy, smart and low carbon energy advice topics.
• A newsletter highlighting key updates in the energy advice sector, and a Resource Hub.

The process to join is very simple – all you need to do is complete the short form.

For more information about the project, visit the website here.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Centre for Sustainable Energy team at energysupportnetwork@cse.org.uk.

In December 2025, the Government published it’s climate and nature public participation plan, Energising Britain: Your voice in our Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The plan sets out how they will engage with people and communities in decision-making as we move towards a cleaner energy system.

In this DSC blog, Head of Policy and Programme Lead, James Somerville, breaks down what it is and why it matters.

When people visit a charity’s website, they’re often looking for answers in the moment they need them most. Whether that’s a parent trying to understand a diagnosis, a patient looking for symptoms to watch out for, or a professional supporting a family, they need resources that are clear, trustworthy, and easy to share.

This guide from Few and Far explains how by centralising your digital resources, you can create a one-stop destination that makes life easier for supporters and builds trust in your organisation.

The way people find information online is changing fast. AI search tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews have already changed how people find and consume information. These systems synthesize answers from many pages and often present a short summary with source links, meaning users increasingly get the information they need without clicking through to the original site.

This guide from Platypus Digital aims to help charities ensure their content is visible, credible, and ready for these AI systems.

Tuesday 27th January, 10am – 12pm - One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle

This Sector Connector workshop from Connected Voice is free to all VCSE organisations operating in the Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside and Northumberland areas. This empowering session will help you understand what it takes to thrive as a leader, irrespective of background or formal qualifications. 

Tuesday 2nd February, 10am – 12pm – Online

Join Durham Community Action for this online session aimed at those responsible for managing volunteers. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to understand the role of supervision and ongoing support in effective volunteer management, and identify practical approaches to volunteer motivation, recognition and retention.

Tuesday 10th February, 10am – 12pm – VODA, The Forum, Wallsend

Join North Tyneside VODA for this in-person session. This free training focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the Trustee and other principles of governance. The informal session lasts around 2 hours and includes interactive activities as well as a chance to discuss issues and ask questions.

Thursday 12th February, 1pm – 3pm – Online

Society Matters CIC in partnership with the Northeast Combined Authority, is delivering this workshop to help employers across the region strengthen the financial wellbeing of their workforce. This webinar equips managers with the skills and confidence to navigate these conversations positively and professionally, turning challenging moments into opportunities for growth and resolution.

£34,000

FareShare North East is seeking a Food Supply & Logistics Manager, to ensure their hubs have sufficient supplies of surplus food flowing through to the community groups they support. The ideal candidate will have account management skills and will manage existing and new business relationships - growing the supply base and ensuring rewarding and sustainable relationships with partner organisations.

Deadline – Monday 19th January

£35,550

Changing Lives have been providing gender specific services to women involved in the Criminal Justice System in the North East for 12 years. They are seeking a Service Manager to oversee the delivery of commissioned services, maintain and develop strategic and local partnerships, and provide line management support to staff providing frontline delivery.

Deadline – Tuesday 20th January

£31,101 - £35,700 pro rata

Citizens Advice Northumberland are looking for a People & Culture Manager who cares as much about how people experience work as what policies say. Someone who can lead with confidence, bring warmth and challenge in equal measure, and help build a culture where people feel supported, trusted and able to do their best work.

Deadline – Thursday 22nd January

£34,000 - £40,000

Daisy Chain is recruiting for a Communications & Marketing Lead. This a high-profile role right at the centre of how the charity tells their story, influences the national conversation and champions the autistic children, young people, adults and families they support. This is a role for someone with drive, determination and a genuine passion for changing perceptions.

Deadline – Saturday 31st January