Our impact
Whitley Bay Big Local (WBBL) was established in 2012 as part of an innovative approach to
community led development known as the Big Local programme. Although we are now ‘closed out’ of the big local programme, the charity continues to be resident-led and aims to create
opportunities for Whitley Bay residents to work together with the extended community to make
Whitley Bay a better place to live, work and visit especially for local people who are older,
experience poor mental health or sometimes or often feel lonely.
The charity owns and bases its operations from a community hub in the heart of Whitley Bay. The hub houses a community café with garden, affordable shop, activity spaces and meeting rooms. It is a busy and thriving hub for all the community. The charity aims to make a difference to local people, particularly by:
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Helping local people who are experiencing financial disadvantage
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Bringing people together to reduce loneliness
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Hosting and organising activities to improve mental health
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Taking action to reduce impact on local and global environment
We aim to increase our impact led activities and reach more people who are affected by poor mentalhealth, loneliness and financial disadvantage. Existing activities include chair based exercise, 4 x recovery groups, men's pie clubs, repair cafes, drop in groups, sewing/craft groups, mental health support groups, parent and toddler groups, wellness walks, after school craft clubs, kids clubs, holiday clubs and more.
Vision
Our vision is to make Whitley Bay an even better place to live. A place where people feel more connected to each other and to their town.
Mission
Using tried and tested community engagement practices, we will develop the skills, confidence and opportunity of local people to address identified needs and take action in response to them. Working together with the local community we will help people to address loneliness, tackle financial exclusion and improve the local environment. To enable action we will provide space, information, advice, guidance and signposting from the new Whitley Bay Hub. Together we will improve the lives of local people and make Whitley Bay an even better place to live, work and visit.
Values
When visiting the Whitley Bay Hub, people will feel welcomed. We will listen to local people and respond with positivity to their suggestions, providing support where necessary to help local people. We will treat everyone with fairness and respect and provide information, advice, guidance and signposting to help people overcome issues in their lives. We will deliver on our commitment to make Whitley Bay an even better place to live, work and visit.