Current grants
Citizens Advice Newcastle
£126,000 over three years to 2024Citizens Advice Newcastle collects data on a range of pressing social issues through its case work. It has amassed considerable information about the effects of Welfare Reform on its clients, especially those with mental and physical disabilities. There are particular concerns about the digitisation of the benefits system which may lead to exclusion or error in the cases of vulnerable claimants. This continuing grant will enable CAN to analyse its data, use its knowledge in campaigning for fairer and more effective government policies in content and implementation and support other regional Citizens Advice organisations to use their information more effectively. More information about Citizens Advice Newcastle is available on their website.
Website: http://citizensadvice-newcastle.org.ukInstitute for Public Policy Research - ippr north
£126,000 over three years until 2025ippr north is the dedicated think tank for the North of England. After a six month development phase funded by MHF in 2003, MHF and the Northern Rock Foundation approved grants to meet the core costs of ippr north between 2003 and 2006. It was then entirely based in Newcastle. Millfield House Foundation has supported ippr north continuously since then, cementing the relationship further by offering it the Strategic Partner designation in 2015. Up to date information about ippr north’s activities and publications can be found on its website.
Website: http://www.ippr.org/northNEW: National Energy Action
£40,000 over two years to 2024NEA is the leading fuel poverty charity operating across England, Wales and Northern Ireland; its vision is that everyone can afford to live in a warm and safe home. It began as Neighbourhood Energy Action in County Durham in 1981 and its headquarters remain on Newcastle Quayside. NEA’s four main areas of activity are: provision of advice and support to people struggling to heat their homes affordably, either directly or via community engagement projects and outreach; campaigning and advocacy; research and sharing insights; delivery of accredited training and qualifications to improve standards of energy advice. It works in partnership with policy makers, manufacturers, installers, energy suppliers and networks, local authorities, housing associations, universities, and many others. MHF funding will support policy work across the North East.
Website: https://www.nea.org.uk/North East Child Poverty Commission
£126,000 over three years to 2025The North East Child Poverty Commission (NECPC) is a cross-sector stakeholder partnership which aims to provide a strong regional voice to raise awareness of child poverty in the North East, and to facilitate collaborative working to tackle the problem. Core activities include undertaking policy and research analysis, organising events, working with children and young people, and engaging with local, regional and national campaigns. The NECPC also undertakes specific pieces of research and development, including regional work with schools and employers. Commission members include representatives from all 12 local authorities as well as a wide range of other public, private and voluntary sector organisations.
The North East Child Poverty Commission is hosted by The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University. Millfield House Foundation has supported the NECPC since 2011. It became a Strategic Partner in 2016.
Further information about membership, objectives and current activities can be found on their website.
Website: http://www.nechildpoverty.org.ukRegional Refugee Forum North East
£126,000 over three years to 2024RRFNE is an independent membership organisation, created in 2004 by and for the region’s Refugee-led Community Organisations (RCOs) to deliver the collective voice of the region’s refugee and asylum seeker community.
The grant enables Regional Refugee Forum North East to continue its policy and campaigning work on behalf of refugee communities in the North East. It was made a Strategic Partner by the Trustees at their May 2015 meeting, with a further three year grant being awarded in 2018.
Website: http://www.refugeevoices.org.ukNEW: Tyne and Wear Citizens
£40,000 over two years to 2024TWC is a local chapter of Citizen’s UK and uses community organising as a tool for bringing about tangible social change. It operates across Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and Durham and has 30 member organisations (including faith groups, schools, charities, community groups and unions) who all pay their dues and are actively involved in setting the organisation’s campaigning priorities. Members are currently working on: climate justice; poverty; racial justice in education. It is active in promoting the Living Wage to employers across the region and describes itself as ‘like a trade union for the community’.
Website: https://www.citizensuk.org/chapters/tyne-and-wear/Voluntary Organisations Network North East
£126,000 over three years to 2025Voluntary Organisations North East is the support body for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the North East of England. It works on a variety of policy areas that impact on the voluntary sector in the region. VONNE became a Strategic Partner of the Foundation in June 2013 and had its grant renewed in 2016. Find out more about VONNE by visiting their website.
Website: http://www.vonne.org.uk