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Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Newcastle Community Empowerment Network (NCEN).
The Community Empowerment Network (CEN) is a Government initiative and we are currently funded by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF). We aim to support the community sector to fully take part in the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), in Newcastle this is called the Newcastle Partnership, by:
- Supporting Community Voices to discuss problems, develop views and solutions to local issues
- Providing training to the Community Network
- Encouraging information between the Communities and Networks through newsletters, bulletins, events, The Big Idea – and this website!
The Newcastle Partnership involves public sector (local authority, police and health), private sector (local business) and community and voluntary organisations. To ensure community and voluntary sector involvement and engagement with the LSP. In November 2005, the Partnership agreed a block of NRF money to go to four infrastructure support organisations, under the banner of the “InfraNet". The signatory organisations are:
- Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service (NCVS) : Regen Forum
- East End Community Development Alliance (EECDA)
- West End Community Development Consortium (WECDC)
- Community Empowerment Network (CEN)
Two further organisations have since joined the Infranet making a total of six, these are the Outer West Area Forum (OWAF) and Network North.
The Government believes that good decisions are made about communities when everyone is involved. The Government wants all members to be equal partners.
“A Network of Networks”
The NCEN will aim to bring together these networks as the “Community Network”.
Current networks involved include:
- BECON
- Better Days
- East End Community Development Alliance
- Elders Council
- Newcastle Tenants Federation
- Outer West Area Forum
- Regen Forum
- Regional Refugee Forum
- West End Community Development Consortium
The NCEN is working on developing a more inclusive Community Network. It is important that it involves groups from marginalised communities and neighbourhoods.
Advisory Groups
We have a number of groups consisting of CV's and other volunteers. These are:
- The Steering Group is made up of representatives from the networks and community groups, which oversee and manage the activities of the Network of Networks and work to co-ordinate the views, issues and concerns raised by member networks.
- The Communications Sub Group - the aim of the group is to provide clear information and effective communications between the Steering Group, staff team, Local Strategic Partnership, Community Voices, statutory sector, volunteer sector, community sector and the general public. We will ensure that all are respected, free from discrimination and able to make a positive contribution.
- The BME support group brings together representatives from various BME organisations and groups in Newcastle to discuss issues of common good and share ideas and good practice on BME representation.
