Blog | Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency

Men: it is okay to talk...

3 August 2023 - 3:29pm

From time to time in this job, I encounter people whose lives have been turned upside down by unfathomable circumstances. I spoke with Suzanne Julian at the Headlight Project last week and it just reminded me of how important it is to pause and think about how we are feeling – men in particular are much less likely to speak about things that are troubling them.

Founded in memory of Russ Devereux, the Headlight Project aims to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the Tees Valley area through therapy of those bereaved by suicide and preventative education and training.

Lets Work together to get basic digital access for Middlesbrough residents - follow up

15 June 2023 - 11:07am

Guest blog by Sue Kearney, CEO at The Hope Foundation

On the 24th June 2020 I had my blog published with the title 'Lets Work together to get basic digital access for Middlesbrough residents'.

Since then the collaborative work has continued and spread across the Tees Valley to address the issues of

Shining a light on Teesside Ability Support Centre

13 June 2023 - 11:35am

I had a great conversation with Amanda Bolderson from the Teesside Ability Support Centre (TASC) last week. TASC provides a brilliant service for its members but I don't think it gets a lot of recognition, so I asked Amanda for some information to share - and here it is:

Making Caring Visible, Valued and Supported across the South Tees

23 June 2022 - 3:45pm

Last week, Carers Week, was up there with being one of my favourite weeks as the Project Lead for We Care You Care. It was fantastic to get out in the local community and meet some really interesting people both carers and professionals. Despite working closely with professionals from a range of local organisations over the last two and a half years, this was the first opportunity I have had to meet many of them in person, after forging our working relationship online because of the pandemic.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

25 April 2022 - 9:45am

We have have had a number of enquiries about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, so we thought it might be helpful to blog what we have learnt about this fund so far.

Main points: