After a series of meetings the Steering Group to form a partnership in the town of all welfare organisations, both voluntary and statutory have almost completed the task.
Everyone is excited at this development and the idea is being welcomed and hailed as a model for other towns.
The aim is to bring everyone together in a co-ordinated bid to ensure there is a comprehensive service to everyone seeking assistance and that no one falls through the net.
To aid this a Memorandum of Understanding is being adopted by all partners and an efficient referral system introduced, helped by a directory listing every type of welfare organisation in the area. This will be produced for general distribution in printed form, sponsored by Newton Press.
The Great Aycliffe Community Aid Partnership consists of people already giving great service to the needy: ie: The Food Bank, Helping Hands, Disc, Livin, Xcel and other churches in the town. Other agencies dealing with health conditions are also on board with each one acting as referrers to any of the partners depending on the need of the individual requesting assistance. The town’s community centres and residents associations will also be involved acting as referrers with collection and emergency distribution points for food and household goods at various locations.
The partnership hopes to be formed in early December with this new scheme bringing great benefits all round.
Any organisation offering aid and assistance to people in crisis is invited to become a partner and should contact the chairman of the Steering Group Syd Howarth on 300212 or 320901, e-mail: syd@newtonews.co.uk