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Your Chance to 'Be the Change' |
| Posted on Oct 29 2009 |
| News and Events >> Latest News |
Your Chance to 'Be the Change'
A media opportunity on Tuesday 13 October 2009 at 10.30am in Elswick Park marked the start of Newcastle Citizens Assembly, an exciting new way for anyone who lives, works or studies in Newcastle to get involved in improving their city.
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Charlie Hughes Director of the Newcastle Partnership, and Lucy Thomson, Community Engagement Manager for Newcastle Citizens Assembly met members of the Women’s Gardening Group from the West End Women and Girls project, one of the first groups in the city to come forward with a proposal for a city-wide improvement. The group was accompanied by their Lead Worker, Emma Hughes and Kathleen English, Community Networker for the Newcastle Citizens Assembly.
News Release:
Everyone in Newcastle can now get involved in improving their city as Newcastle Citizens Assembly gets underway. This is an exciting new way for anyone who lives, works or studies in the city to ‘be the change’.
Lucy Thomson, Community Engagement Manager for Newcastle Citizens Assembly, explained: “Anyone can take part and give as much or as little of their time as they wish. We want groups throughout the city to share their ideas for city-wide improvements and to play an active role in finding solutions. We’ll be asking individuals to show their support for the improvements they would most like to see happen. In this way individuals as well as groups can influence decision makers and be part of the change”.
Newcastle Citizens Assembly has been set up by Newcastle Healthy City, an independent charitable organisation which provides advice, information and services to the community sector. The project is funded and supported by the Newcastle Partnership and Newcastle City Council who recognise the vital contribution the citizens of Newcastle can make to the ongoing improvement of the city.
Charlie Hughes, Director of the Newcastle Partnership said: “This is a key part of our commitment to building inclusive, strong and empowered communities in Newcastle. We want to encourage people to take an active part in making and influencing decisions that can bring improvements across the city”.
All aspects of life in Newcastle are being considered from the economy, health and wellbeing and the environment to creating quality places to live, safer communities and improving the lives of children and young people.
To mark the start of Newcastle Citizens Assembly, Lucy and Charlie, met up with one of the first groups to come forward with a proposed improvement, the Women’s Gardening Group from the West End Women and Girls Centre.
Emma Hughes, the group’s lead worker said: “Our group meets each week to grow our own food which we then enjoy cooking and eating. It’s very sociable and during our lively discussions we looked at ideas to tackle something which we feel would help not only our local area but have city-wide benefits. We think there is a need for more activities for young people and, while we know there are already some excellent youth services in Newcastle, we are interested in how they can be developed to benefit all young people across the city”.
Kathleen English, Community Networker for Newcastle Citizens Assembly said: “This is just one of the proposed improvements being generated by the various groups throughout Newcastle that I’ve been working with. I’m really impressed by the great response we’ve had already”.
Lucy added: “Information on the various city-wide improvements will be appearing on our website, www.newcastlecitizensassembly.org.uk, as well as in the local news and we’ll be asking people to show their support and give us their comments. I would urge everyone to take this opportunity to be the change”.
Background information on the West End Women & Girls Centre
West End Women & Girls Centre is a registered charity which has been working with girls and women in the West End of Newcastle since 1981. The Centre provides support through group work where women and girls can meet, have fun, learn skills, look at issues relevant to their lives and build theirconfidence in a safe and supportive environment. Alongside these services the Centre provides one to one support for anyone who needs it. Individual support is provided by offering advice, information, advocacy and referrals to relevant agencies.
The centre has been given part of Elswick Park to develop a community garden where they grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers. Funded by Newcastle Futures, this is providing women with the opportunity to learn new skills; build self esteem and confidence; develop positive community involvement & concern as well as keeping fit! The food that the women grow in the garden will be used by cookery clubs at the Centre, as part of an ongoing healthy eating initiative. The gardening group meets every week,any women aged 16+ are welcome to join. The Centre is based in the Stephenson Building, 73 Elswick Road; please phone (0191) 2734942 for more information.
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