Third Sector Awards are an important celebration of VCSE impact

Children North East was proud this weekend to be recognised as part of the national Third Sector Awards. Despite not taking home the prize in our category, the night was a poignant celebration of a sector providing a lifeline to millions in a very difficult year. 

Sharing the inspiring work of individuals, organisations, grassroots groups and partnerships, it put a spotlight on the collective impact of our sector and the essential services it provides to our communities across the UK. 

Alongside partners Child Poverty Action Group, we were shortlisted for the Charity Partnership of the Year Award for Cost of the School of the School Day, which battles the impact of child poverty on pupils and their families.  

We were shortlisted us alongside nationally recognised organisations, including Samaritans, Mind, Hospice UK and Shout. Citizens Advice and The Trussell Trust won on the night, with their ground-breaking Help through Hardship helpline project, that rapidly responded when traditional services started to close during covid to provide foodbank referrals and now supports people living in poverty to maximise their income. 

Leigh Elliott, Chief Executive comments, “We are incredibly proud to have been nominated alongside such esteemed charities for this national award for our work on Cost of the School Day with our brilliant partners Child Poverty Action Group. The project has improved the lives of 100,000s of UK pupils by supporting schools to mitigate financial barriers to participation. Today’s celebration was a wonderful acknowledgment of the hard work and innovation of the teams that made this impact possible.” 

Children North East continues its Poverty Proofing work across the North East and around the UK, including having funding secured to work with 150 schools across the region in the 2022 to 2023 school year.