Last week, we welcomed partners, community leaders and VCSE organisations from across the region to From the Ground Up — a one-day knowledge exchange summit exploring how power, resources and decision-making can be genuinely devolved to communities in the North East. It was a thought provoking day where attendees shared experiences, challenged assumptions and discussed practical ways to place communities at the centre of decision-making. Read our blog to find out more about the day and what VONNE will be working on in the coming months.
Delivered in partnership with Local Trust, From the Ground Up brought together voices from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, local authorities, funders and grassroots organisations. Throughout the day, participants explored what it takes to create a shared vision for community ownership, resilience and long-term local decision-making.
Held at Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall, the historic “Miner’s Parliament”, the setting offered a powerful reminder of the region’s deep-rooted traditions of democracy, solidarity and collective action. For generations, communities in the North East have led the way in cooperative movements, people-powered welfare reform and mutual aid. Bringing people together in such a symbolic space helped ground the day’s conversations in that shared history, while looking forward to how community power can be rebuilt and strengthened today.
Through panel discussions, hands-on workshops and informal networking, attendees shared experiences, challenged assumptions and discussed practical ways to place communities at the centre of decision-making.
A recurring theme across the day was the North East’s radical history of community-led change — and the need for long-term, community-rooted approaches to rebuild and sustain that legacy. As one panel contributor reflected, the region’s traditions of cooperative working and collective power were eroded over generations of deindustrialisation. Re-establishing those structures, they emphasised, requires patient investment, trust in communities and a commitment to shifting power locally.
Workshops throughout the day offered space to dig deeper into these ideas. One session explored how organisations can rethink evaluation through “measuring what matters”, moving beyond traditional monitoring to focus on meaningful learning and relationships. Participants reflected on how learning questions and honest feedback can help funders and organisations better understand impact, build stronger partnerships and adapt their work to meet real community needs.
Alongside these discussions, the summit was also an opportunity to celebrate creativity, collaboration and the people driving change across the region. We were delighted to welcome musicians, facilitators and speakers who helped create a dynamic and inspiring programme. Their contributions, alongside the insights shared by participants, made the event a vibrant space for learning and connection.
For VONNE, From the Ground Up was a powerful reminder of the energy, commitment and creativity that exists within the North East’s VCSE sector. Events like this reinforce the importance of creating spaces where people can come together, exchange ideas and strengthen the relationships that underpin meaningful change.
We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversations throughout the day. Special thanks also go to our partners at Local Trust, the speakers and workshop facilitators who shared their expertise, and the team at Redhills for hosting us in such a remarkable venue.
Over the coming months, VONNE will be working with Local Trust on a North East Learning Programme. Following a successful pilot with London Funders, VONNE will work with Local Trust to deliver the next phase of Local Trust’s Learning programme.
Using lessons from Big Local, and pulling in perspectives from today’s event, we’ll tailor the programme for North East needs. Then across six sessions we’ll explore what worked, what didn’t, and what funders and community organisations can learn for the future.
If you’d like to be involved, please contact vonne@vonne.org.uk.