Local Conversation in Longbenton

The Local Conversation in Longbenton has responded to the priorities of the community, working as a Steering Group and various subgroups.

The process of securing the lease for the thriving community garden and hub and hub was lengthy and complex and involved residents influencing local MP's, Elected Mayor and Cabinet, senior council officers, regional and national bodies including the National Allotment Association, as well as the Secretary of State, involved solicitors. Community Power was key to the success of the achievement.

Additional £20,000 funding from Northern Gas Power Grid and planning permission from North Tyneside Council to install renewable energy makes the Community Hub self-sufficient and a great safe, inclusive warm space to meet. Read more in the Chronicle.

Residents worked hard to secure £20,000 from North Tyneside Council to transform the Queensbridge Children Play Area into to a fully inclusive fun, safe play area for local children to access. The park is well used, well looked after and plays a valuable role within the community since its development several years ago.

During Covid-19, the Local Conversation responded to need and raised £9,000 for Christmas meals and presents for vulnerable people. They delivered over 1,700 meals delivered in two months during the pandemic. Free weekly food parcels have been distributed every Friday from the start of the pandemic to date through what has developed into the Justice Prince Food Pantry.

The community development training has underpinned every aspect of the Local Conversation in Longbenton. Leadership training for residents which has built a stronger, safer and thriving community where people feel confident in their leadership roles within the decision making groups developed as part of the training process.

Residents are well equipped and remain committed to tackling the social determinants of health inequalities. The Justice Prince CIC training model is bespoke, it builds upon community passion, aspiration and hope whilst supporting residents to tackle identified community concerns and issues through collective action underpinned by shared values and agreed practices and processes of working.

The Longbenton Youth Forum emerged from the work of the Employment Action Group and laid the foundations for the Barriers to Employment Project funded through the North of Tyne Combined Authority. In 2023, Justice Prince published their Barriers to Employment report, which surveyed 140 young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and found that almost 50 per cent cited a lack of experience or opportunities to gain skills as a barrier to employment. The report forms part of Justice Prince’s Barriers to Employment project. At the end of 2023, a group of YP visited the House of Commons and discussed their views with MPs and members of the Lords.

Following the end of the Local Conversation, the Steering Group has become the Justice Prince community advisory group. Residents continue to shape local services and have amplified voices within the public sector in North Tyneside and Longbenton.

The Trust is currently funding Justice Prince with a one year strategic grant. This supports strategic partnership work with the goal of increasing influence and improving health outcomes for local people who experience the greatest health inequalities.