YMCA North Tyneside was all smiles at the North East Charity Awards on 11 October when they took home the Outstanding Social Enterprise Award.
The annual awards seek to shine a spotlight on the very best organisations and individuals that play a key role in the region’s charity sector.
Over 250 charities were whittled down to 30 finalists, and both YMCA North Tyneside and YMCA Newcastle made the shortlist.
Both up for the Outstanding Social Enterprise, YMCA North Tyneside’s nominee was all about how they sustain services, while YMCA Newcastle nominated their Urban Mushrooms project.
North Tyneside Business Development Manager, David Carnaffan, said; “I was delighted to accept this award on behalf of YMCA North Tyneside in recognition of the organisation’s commitment to social enterprise and developing sustainable services. Through the delivery of a seven phase, five year re-development plan, we have added or improved facilities including housing, gym, community cafe and a nursery. We believe that recent developments will ensure the organisation continues to grow and meet the needs of the local community for many decades to come.”
Newcastle’s Urban Mushroom program consists of farming mushrooms in unused urban spaces in the city centre. They grow mushrooms using used coffee grounds that are collected from coffee shops around the city, which are then sold to local restaurants and cafes. All profits are reinvested into the work they do with young people. CEO, Jeff Hurst was recently interviewed about the project, watch what he had to say.