Community Development

This section explains what community development is and what services GVOC offer to assist local people in their communities to respond to their own identified needs. It includes a description of each of the projects: Capacity Building Project and Empower Gateshead.

Capacity Building Project

The Capacity Building Project is a three year project which covers all of Gateshead (funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Community Empowerment Fund). The aim of the project is to develop the capacity of the sector through training, information and advice and the promotion of quality standards such as PQASSO.

What is PQASSO?
PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance Systems for Small Organisations) is a quality assurance system designed for small and medium size organisations. PQASSO covers 12 quality areas and is evaluated through self-assessment, there are three levels that can be achieved. The pack costs around £70 and a CD-Rom is also available, for more information please contact Darren Thompson.

The Capacity Building Project organises training courses throughout the year, please contact us for our latest programme. If you would like help in organising tailor-made training courses for your organisation the Capacity Building Project can help.

Empower Gateshead

Empower Gateshead is the support project for the Gateshead Community Network.  The Community Network enables individuals and community groups to raise issues and have their voices heard by the decision makers in Gateshead.  Want to know more?  Check out www.networkgateshead.org.uk

The Empower Gateshead team employs two Community Development Officers (Emma Kellie and Anne Purvis) who offer community development support to help new groups get established.  If you need help agreeing your group's aims and vision, getting your constitution together, setting up a bank account, planning ahead, working within best practice or raising money to make your plans get off the ground - no matter what your group's interest - support is available!  If you are hoping to set up a new group and need advice, contact Emma Kellie at Empower Gateshead

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