As part of our 1,500 members celebrations, we caught up with one of the longest standing members of VONNE, Children North East, to find out more about their recent work and what their membership means to them.
Giving every North East child the chance of a happy, healthy childhood
Children North East’s vision is that all babies, children and young people are given the chance to grow up happy and healthy. Founded in 1891, we are the region’s oldest and largest children’s charity, delivering services as diverse as the challenges facing the people we support.
We deliver therapeutic and mental health support, youth work and mentoring, family-centred interventions, community services and poverty fighting projects; often co-designed with the communities we serve.
This year, Children North East reached 4,042 individuals and 1,042 families working in schools, homes, communities and online across the North East. We also consulted with 54,386 individuals and provided training to 3,409 professionals.
Examples of our projects include our Little Minds in Mind infant-parent therapeutic programme, that supports new and expecting parents to overcome challenges to bonding with their baby; our allotment which hosts groups of young people to make friends and learn about nature; and our Poverty Proofing© the School Day programme which works with education settings to help remove stigma and improve the experience of school for pupils living in poverty.
We place children, young people and family’s voices at the heart of everything we do, delivering consultations and facilitating groups such as young advisors to ensure that services and policy are shaped by those with lived experience.
What does being a VONNE member mean to us?
Being a member of VONNE has played a vital role in helping us amplify those voices and connect our work with a wider movement for social change in the region.
VONNE membership places us within a strong, collaborative network of VCSE organisations working for better North East, a community of change-makers that offer shared learning, strategic partnerships and the opportunity to influence decisions that affect the children and families we serve.
Amplifying our voice for social change
One of the most powerful ways VONNE supports us is by offering a platform to campaign on the issues that matter.
VONNE champions the voices of regional charities and brings organisations like ours into important strategic conversations. Whether it’s about tackling child poverty, improving mental health provision or responding to cost-of-living pressures, VONNE ensures that our insights help shape regional priorities and influence national debate.
This advocacy improves our ability to work towards long-term change, beyond the delivery of individual services. It helps us challenge structural inequalities and improve life outcomes for babies, children, young people and families across the North East.
Strengthening sector connections
Another key benefit of our VONNE membership is access to sector-specific networking events and opportunities. Events, such as the CEO Breakfasts, offer valuable opportunities for our leadership team and wider staff to connect with peers, hear from expert speakers, and stay informed on regional developments. These spaces foster shared learning, inspire new ideas, and strengthen our role within the broader VCSE ecosystem. For a charity like ours, which work across education, health, social care and community initiatives, these moments of connection are vital for collaboration and understanding.
Speaking about the peer network, Leigh Elliot, CEO of Children North East said, "The VONNE CEO Breakfast meet-up is always a valuable space to connect with peers, share challenges and spark new ideas. It offers a rare chance to step away from the day-to-day and think more strategically about the role of the voluntary sector in shaping a happier, healthier region for babies, children, young people and families. What’s especially powerful is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with decision-makers, opening the door to more joined-up thinking and genuine collaboration. I always come away feeling energised and inspired. I have had further follow up conversations with the CEO of VONNE and he works hard to represent our voice at the North East Combined Authority meetings."
Supporting recruitment success
Recruitment in the charity sector can be challenging, but through VONNE’s platform for promoting vacancies, we are able to reach talented, experienced professionals who bring the skills and passion needed to make our work possible.
From specialist counsellors to policy experts to fundraisers, advertising through VONNE connects us with candidates who understand the charity landscape and are ready to hit the ground running.
Stronger together for the North East
VONNE helps Children North East connect, grow, and amplify our impact. Their advocacy support offers a seat at the table where decisions are made, their networking events help strengthen sector relationships and their recruitment platform helps us find the right people for the right role. Together, we’re working toward a future where all North East children can grow up happy and healthy.
Visit the Children North East website for more on their services and how to get involved.
Image credits: Children North East