Overdue: 461 days
Public benefits
Young people who participate in the project and its services will benefit directly as they are less likely to engage in on-street drinking and antisocial behaviour, will grow in confidence and self-esteem, become more involved in their local community and be able to articulate their own views thus influencing how local services and the the project
are delivered to better suit the needs of its target demographic. A reduction in antisocial behaviour will directly benefit the local community, local businesses, council and statutory services such as PSNI and NIAS. In response to an increase in poor mental health presentations in the Newcastle area, as evidenced by an increase in suicides, the volunteer-led helpline, requested by members of the public and senior community representatives will directly benefit those in need of personal support at a critical time in their lives as they will be quickly signposted to relevant services thus it is anticipated leading to a reduction in the number of lives lots through suicide. A significant additional benefit will be experienced by local services who struggle to access hard to reach potential service users thus increasing engagement with their services. The resulting benefits will be demonstrated through a record of attendance, kept within the drop-in centre, and participation in activities and feedback from attendees. Feedback from those engaging with outreach activities. Local press cuttings of how young people who engage with NCO services have participated in local community events. PSNI statistics over time will be used to monitor the number of incidents of antisocial behaviour in the Newcastle area. Feedback from local business owners, councillors and other statutory services. Suicide statistics for the local area. No harm has been identified. The main charity beneficiaries are young people aged 11 – 25 years living in the Newcastle area. Other beneficiaries include local businesses, local council, PSNI, NIAS, the local community and other local services. Incidental benefits will be experienced by staff, trustees and volunteers of NCO. Staff, trustees and volunteers will benefit from up-to-date training in all relevant topic areas and grow in confidence and self-esteem which in turn may enhance their employment opportunities.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
There has been escalating on-street antisocial behaviour, presentation of complex mental health, substance use and suicides in the Newcastle area as documented by statutory and voluntary agencies. Newcastle has poor service coverage in terms of mental health and substance use and these are not easily accessible to those most in need. Limited
availability is proven to negatively impact those presenting with multi-complex needs. Newcastle Community Outreach (NCO) is a local community-based project that provides support from local people, for the wider community and aims to respond to the identified gaps in service provision. NCOs ten volunteers are people with experience of each of these issues and are trained in peer support, mental health first aid, counselling and sports coaching. To address unmet needs NCO will utilise a local building, complete with contact telephone number, as a drop-in and secure base, to offer both daytime and evening practical and emotional support for young people, aged 11–25 years. Trained staff and volunteers will encourage young people to make informed choices, provide recreational and educational activities and promote acceptance and understanding of others. NCO will act as a sign-posting service for those in need and actively support people to access services. NCO will use its existing/gained knowledge and contacts, such as MLAs and local statutory agencies to advocate for service users and champion for better service provision. Given the night time economy in the Newcastle area, staff and volunteers will also engage with young people in an outreach capacity to divert them from risk taking behaviour. A volunteer-led helpline will be operational. Helpline volunteers will be trained in mental health first aid and suicide intervention, vulnerable adults and child safeguarding training as standard. Services of this nature have been requested by members of the public and senior community representatives.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Addictions (drug/solvent/alcohol abuse)
- Community safety/crime prevention
- General public
- Mental health
- Older people
- Parents
- Specific areas of deprivation
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Community development
- Counselling/support
- Education/training
- General charitable purposes
- Human rights/equality
- Sport/recreation
- Volunteer development
- Youth development