County Durham Community Foundation works with businesses and individuals to create positive change by channelling their charitable giving to local communities in need, funding projects that fight poverty and enrich lives. Founded 28 years ago, the Foundation has awarded £57million in small grants to community groups and individuals in need, with a third of that total - £ 20.4million - awarded in the last five years alone. More than 600 groups in County Durham and Tees Valley benefit from vital funding every year, creating a ripple effect that touches the lives of thousands in the North East. In response to the cost-of-living crisis and inspired by our commitment to the global goals of the UN, the Foundation launched the Poverty Hurts Appeal in autumn 2022 and has fundraised almost £1million to fight excess winter deaths, reduce poverty-related misery, and help the one-in-three children and young people living in poverty in County Durham.

The Hospital of God at Greatham has a long and proud history of caring for people.

Founded in 1273 by the then Bishop of Durham, 750 years on, it is still providing care for the community.

The charity provides excellent person-centred care, support and housing services for people, particularly older people and those living with a dementia.

Residential care for older people at Stichell House Residential Home Day care and community support services for people living with a dementia, and their families, delivered through day centres, community-based pastimes service and family support services throughout Hartlepool and East Durham Information and advice through a dementia advisory service ‘The Bridge’ Supported living for older people in our Almshouses Grants to voluntary and community sector organisations The charity also has a portfolio of properties

Millfield House Foundation is a small charitable foundation funding policy work to reducing poverty and inequality in the North East. Through support for our Strategic Partners, the Foundation promotes policy change by funding work that informs discussion and influences public policy. We focus on the underlying causes of poverty and inequality, and take a relational approach to grant-making. The Foundation supports this award to celebrate the important work of charities across the North East to amplify the voices of the people they work with and campaign for change. Charities and other civil society organisations have always played an important role in bringing about social and policy change. At a time when too many in the North East still face daily challenges as a direct result of poverty and inequality, we need charities to continue this vital role and we look forward to hearing about the work of nominees.

Muckle LLP

Muckle LLP is a commercial law firm based in Newcastle upon Tyne, working with clients across the North East. At the heart of our business lies a genuine passion for our region and a deep desire to have a positive impact on our community. From giving back to local causes to driving change that promotes equality inside and outside our business, being a responsible business is important to us.

We’re delighted to be sponsoring the ‘North East Charity of the Year’ category at this year’s awards. The work that charities do in our local communities is nothing short of amazing. They’re on the front line, supporting the most vulnerable people in society and they’re doing it whilst operating under unprecedented pressure themselves. It’s a privilege to be able to be involved with these organisations and it’s important that we take the time to recognise their hard work and dedication.

Newcastle Hospitals Charity is the official charity for Newcastle Hospitals, which includes the Royal Victoria Infirmary, the Freeman Hospital, the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and many community services. Our charity’s mission is to help our hospitals to go further by providing support for compassionate and innovative healthcare, education, and research.

We work in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals to complement the world-class healthcare services provided there and we proudly support patients, staff, and the wider hospital community by funding a range of initiatives - from cutting-edge cancer research, to staff psychological support and vital improvements to the patient experience and environment.

‘The Sir James Knott Trust makes grants to support charitable activity in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham and Hartlepool’.

VONNE is the regional support body for the North East Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. We represent over 1300 member charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, networks and social enterprises from across the region, with further reach through our many networks.

We support charities, voluntary and community groups, and social enterprises to be well informed on the policy, practice and strategy developments which affect them. We work strategically to ensure their voice is heard.

We facilitate partnerships and build opportunities for collaboration within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the North East, and between the sector and external stakeholders.

We also provide funding information to help charities, community and voluntary groups, and social enterprises. We facilitate programmes to build skills and capacity and develop leadership, governance and innovation in the sector.

VONNE depends on the support of our members to inform and underpin our work strengthening the North East voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and supporting the people and communities of the North East.

Together our community of over 1300 members enable us to create a collective voice and represent our membership regionally and nationally.