I will soon meet folks from Social Investment Business (SIB), which works hard in our area, and is the fastest growing social investor in the UK.
They provide funding for many charity organisations throughout the North East and so help them do more of what they do best -supporting people and communities most in need.
The SIB manages nearly £400 million of Government funds with over 600 investees across England. They have made 50 investments totalling £6.5 million in our region.
One beneficiary is Norcare Limited, which delivers housing support so vulnerable people can live independently. They will refurbish a property which will be the first accommodation and support centre for service veterans, giving them a safe and supported home environment.
They are keen to work with community organisations in Blaydon. If you believe that SIB support could help you to succeed, go to www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org or give them a call on 0191 261 5200. Parliament is slowly beginning to establish its rhythms. A key feature of parliamentary life are cross-party committees which highlight issues and work with external experts and organisations. An issue of the greatest importance locally is the position of coalfield communities on which I have established an all-party parliamentary group.
The group will promote awareness of issues facing former mining communities, support their regeneration, investigate economic, social and environmental issues affecting these areas and ensure a fair deal for UK-mined coal and investment in cleaner coal technologies.
I have also been elected to the new Backbench Business Committee which will organise parliamentary business for maybe a quarter of the annual calendar.
It's a great honour to receive the backing of colleagues from all parties to help run a new and powerful committee that aims to seize back powers taken away by Governments and give greater control over to backbenchers than they have had for not only a generation, but for more than a century. Parliament is for the people and I will do my very best to bring it closer to ordinary people's lives and ensure that backbench MPs can raise issues of the utmost relevance to their communities.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |