News & Media

15th December 2023

Port of Tyne's £500,000 Milestone

The Port of Tyne Community Action Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is celebrating a significant landmark, having made £500,000 in grants to charities and voluntary organisations in the North East.

The fund has awarded over 150 grants to a diverse range of organisations with an emphasis on enriching community life and community spaces, improving life chances for young people, and supporting those affected by poverty and deprivation. These grants have supported some of our amazing, locally based charities to help thousands of people in their communities.

Empowering Local Communities

Elaine Holdsworth, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at the Community Foundation, who has managed the Port of Tyne Community Action Fund for several years, and during this time said:

"Port of Tyne has shown a commitment to supporting local communities, helping to address some of the most pressing challenges in areas linked to the River Tyne and to enrich community life. Having made over 150 grants and passed £500,000 in the total amount given is a significant achievement. We are delighted to continue working with Port of Tyne to ensure vital work is supported in communities throughout the region.”

Matt Beeton, Chief Executive at the Port of Tyne, said:

"We’re very proud of our partnership with the Community Foundation to support some inspirational people and organisations doing brilliant things in their local communities.  It’s a huge privilege to have been able to play a small part in the fantastic work that they do in our region."

Community Collaboration

The latest recipient of a grant, helping to take over the half-a-million mark, was ‘The Key’. Based in Newcastle city cente, The Key exists to inspire belief in young people aged 11–25 from across the North East of England. They work primarily with individuals facing challenging circumstances, who are living in areas of high deprivation, or who are facing multiple and complex barriers to progression.

The grant will support the organization's 'KEY+ Challenge’. This involves young people working together in small teams, and with the help of a trained facilitator, they are given the autonomy to plan, budget, pitch, deliver, and evaluate their ideas.

During our visit with the remarkable young individuals involved in the project, we inquired about their experiences. Beth shared,

“KEY+ has enhanced my confidence by pushing me beyond my comfort zone and encouraging self-challenge.”

Statements like these, positive and empowering, align perfectly with what we aim to foster and endorse.

Abbie Foster, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at The Key, said:

“The Key is delighted to receive support from Port of Tyne. The grant will empower local young people in South Tyneside to use their voices and ideas to lead activities that matter to them through the KEY+ Challenge. It’ll play a vital role in helping them build important life skills, develop their confidence, and realise their true potential for the future.”

Action Station South Tyneside Limited

Another organisation to benefit from the Port of Tyne Community Action Fund is Action Station South Tyneside Limited. Serving a community ranked among the 20% most deprived neighborhoods in the UK, Action Station works with individuals to reduce unemployment, poverty, and social isolation and improve their overall quality of life. Stephen Clark, Chief Executive at Action Station said:

“I would like to thank the Port of Tyne Community Action Fund for their valued support. Through this, we were able to engage 30 volunteers of which seven were asylum seekers. Each volunteer was supported with transferable training enabling them to volunteer anywhere.

“We have recorded and witnessed a positive change in mental well-being, and ability to interact and do new things among all volunteers. These volunteers have also supported our beneficiaries and have passed on their skills and knowledge to others, as well as their expertise in overcoming issues. From these volunteers, five have gained employment, and one is in full-time education. All are still active within the centre and those working still make regular contact.”