Vital Signs Tyne & Wear and Vital Signs Northumberland
Your chance to have a say...
What is Vital Signs?
Vital Signs reports are published each year by Community Foundations across
Canada. Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is involved in a
national pilot for their use in the UK. Vital Signs reports assess the vitality and
aspirations of local communities, identify local social needs and open a debate on
the contribution that local philanthropists can make to address them.
We intend to publish two Vital Signs reports. The first, published in early 2013, will
cover Tyne & Wear. The second, published in the Autumn, will cover
Northumberland. There will be opportunities to discuss the issues they raise as part
of an on going consultation conducted both through events and online via a new Vital
Signs Tyne & Wear and Northumberland web portal.
The reports will cover 12 broad themes. Ten of these are to be used across the UK:
Work; Fairness; Housing and homelessness; Safety; Learning; Arts Culture and
Heritage; Strong Communities; Environment; Health and well-being and Local
economy. In addition we have identified two further issues of particular local
significance: Community and Voluntary Sector and Young People.
Vital Signs Tyne & Wear
We’ve already undertaken a lot of in-depth research in preparation for the publication
of the Vital Signs Tyne & Wear report. To give you a flavour of what it might say,
here are some of our preliminary findings in relation to the Young People theme:

Work: We identified an emerging need for provision that helps young
vulnerable people to make the transition from school into work. We think there
could be a case for helping donors and grantees to share their thoughts on
how to address need in this area.

Health: We found that the key health issues for young people are binge
drinking and substance abuse, smoking and healthy eating, We think the
community and voluntary sector has a crucial role to play in promoting healthy
choices for young people.

Crime and community safety: We found that whilst young people are often
characterised as perpetrators of crime, they need also to be recognised as its
victims. We think a key role for community philanthropy could be to support
safe places for children, providing positive activities that divert them from
criminal and anti-social behaviour.
Once the Vital Signs Tyne & Wear report is published we will use it to inform
Community Foundation grant making in the area, with the aim of maximising the
impact of our charitable funding. However first its contents will need a thorough
“reality check”, and that is why we are now initiating a consultation process with
philanthropists, community organisations and local residents.
If you live and work in Tyne & Wear and are interested in getting involved in the
discussions around Vital Signs, please let us know by completing the tear off slip
below and returning it to Mark Pierce, Head of Policy, Projects and Programmes at
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. Alternatively email
mp@communityfoundation.org.uk using the term “Vital Signs Tyne & Wear” as the
message subject.
Coming soon: Vital Signs Northumberland…
From Spring 2013 we will be undertaking a similar research and consultation
exercise to inform the Vital Signs Northumberland report. If you are interested in
getting involved in this, please let us know by completing the box below and
returning it to Mark Pierce, Head of Policy, Projects and Programmes at Community
Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. Alternatively email
mp@communityfoundation.org.uk using the term “Vital Signs Northumberland” as
the message subject.
I would like to be involved in the development of Vital Signs. Please add me
to the Vital Signs mailing list.
My interest is Tyne & Wear / Northumberland (delete if applicable)
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