These 3D images show what an innovative new community hub in North Tyneside will look like.
The ‘Spirit of North Tyneside’ in Wallsend will provide space for groups working with some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents.
As revealed in the CGI images, the hub housed on the partially vacant top floor of Wallsend Customer First Centre, will have space for co-working, virtual conferencing, training facilities and creative break-out areas.
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When it opens, the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector hub (VCSE) will be managed by North Tyneside VODA, who will be based on site to provide advice and administrative services to the small and micro-organisations expected to use the facility.
Wallsend Customer First Centre already houses a range of amenities, including a library, customer services, Care and Connect, an NHS recovery partnership team, and a Citizens Advice Bureau.
The Wallsend Neighbourhood Policing Team has also recently moved in.
The new hub is being made possible thanks to investment from North Tyneside Council and the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
The latter has awarded £250,000 towards the development, with a further £50,000 to support its growth over the first couple of years.
A funding pot of £200,000 has also been shared by community and voluntary organisations across North Tyneside to help diversify and adapt their offer whilst also helping expand their income streams to become more sustainable.
Councillor Carole Burdis, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for Community Safety, described the hub as “a forward-thinking and ground-breaking way of providing” vital services under the one roof.
She added: “This is great news, not only for Wallsend, but for residents all over North Tyneside.
“Providing these services alongside flexible co-working and office space will reduce costs for voluntary and community sector organisations, which will result in an increase in funding and resources for activity that benefits people in the borough.”
The name Spirit of North Tyneside is the same as the annual council and VODA organised awards that honour those unsung heroes who give their time and energy to the people, families and communities of the borough.
Robin Fry, VODA chief executive and North of Tyne Combined Authority Mayoral Ambassador for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector, said: "Our ambition is to create a dynamic community hub that becomes the centre of excellence for voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations across the borough.
“We know how vital a strong VCSE sector is to the health and happiness of people living in North Tyneside.
"The hub will offer a range of affordable back-office services such as payroll, accountancy, printing and HR advice.
“These services, alongside the offer of co-working space, will reduce running costs for VCSE sector organisations, enabling more investment in the delivery of services that benefit residents.”
Northumbria Police Neighbourhood Inspector Thomas Hart added: “We are excited to be working in close proximity with our partners the NHS, Citizens Advice and North Tyneside Council.
"This close access will allow us to work together seamlessly to help make Wallsend a safe and happy place to call home.”
