Who We Are
Gateshead Youth Council is an organisation that is forward thinking and constantly looks to the future. It has been in existence since 1979 and is youth centred, youth focussed and youth led.
It targets young people aged 11-25 and carries a broad remit which is reflected in the diverse range of youth issues and activities that it is involved in on a local, regional, national and international basis.
The full name is Gateshead Borough Youth Organisations council but is known as Gateshead Youth Council (GYC). It is a registered Charity with a voluntary board of Trustees and Chairperson.
GYC develops projects, services and involves itself in areas concerning youth issues. The Board of Trustees is made up of representatives from organisations and agencies working with young people and is responsible for the organisation’s work. Its aim is to continue to be a channel for organisations to express views and opinions collectively to Local Authorities or government on other issues concerning them. Speaking as one voice can often have a greater listening power and GYC provides this forum. It also encourages those working with young people to develop skills, share resources and broaden experience so as to assist their community and organisation.
GYC is an organisation which responds directly to the issues of organisations and young people so as to fulfil their needs.
What We Do
- Represent the interests of young people and their changing needs.
- Meet the needs and aspirations of young people by strengthening and supporting the work of their organisations.
- Co-ordinate, to prevent duplication of effort.
- Improve the effectiveness of organisations in delivering quality youth work.
- Raise public awareness of the work of the voluntary sector.
- Provide and promote positive images of young people.
- Establish partnerships with all involved in supporting work with young people.
- Provide a forum for debate and discussion.
- Raise public awareness of the issues that affect young people.
- Support the long term development of young people.
- Advocate on behalf of member organisations and young people.
Central Services
Staffing
Dawn Bowman - Youth Engagement Outreach Worker
Lynne Dixon - Office Manager
Terry Eccles - Co-ordinator
Valerie Ender - Deputy Co-ordinator
Susan Gilhespy - Administration Assistant
Mandy Harwood – YIS Manager
Lorraine Hooper - Part Time Youth & Community Worker
Lesley-Ann Morris - Breakthru Development Worker
Darren Smurthwaite - ICT Development Worker
Students
Close co-operation has continued with Sunderland and Durham Universities which have supported students with placements mainly around Youth Studies. They have served the organisation very well and we would like to thank Lee
Legal and Administrative Information
Status
Gateshead Borough Youth Organisations Council is a charitable organisation and is governed by its Constitution. Charity number 512712.
Board of Trustees
The following members of the organisation are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are referred to as the Board of Trustees. As set out within the Constitution, members of the Board of Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting, which is held in the month of May, and shall retire annually.
Lee Bone - Chair
John Bennett - Vice Chair
Chris Hulme - Honorary Treasurer
Ordinary Representatives
Pauline Eccles
Ryan Gibson
Darren Howell
Linda Hubbicks
Chris Hulme
Andrew Moore
Young Persons Representative
Thomas Jones
Gateshead Youth Assembly
Melissa Connelly
Nikki Devlin
Christopher Ion
Council Representatives
Cllr. W Dick
Cllr. Hattam
Youth and Community Learning Representative
Ray Dodd
Registered Office
12 Gladstone Terrace
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE8 4DY
Honorary Solicitor
David Johnson
Osborne House
Osborne Avenue
Hexham
NE46 3JN
Auditors
Torbitt & Co.
Chartered Accountants
Durham Road
Birtley
Co. Durham
Bankers
Unity Trust Bank plc.
Nine Brindley Place
Birmingham
B1 2HB
www.unity.uk.com
Management
The policy and general management of the affairs of GYC shall be directed by the Board of Trustees, who meets at least four times a year or as and when necessary.
The Board of Trustees shall have the power to appoint such Committee or Committees as it may from time to time think fit and to determine their powers and terms of reference.
All monies raised by or on behalf of the GYC shall be applied to further the objects of the GYC.
The Honorary Treasurer shall keep proper Accounts of the finances of the GYC;
The Accounts of the GYC shall be audited at least once a year by a qualified Auditor(s) or Independent Examiner.
An Audited Statement of Accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted by the Board of Trustees to the Annual General meeting.
All cheques shall be signed by two elected members of the Board of Trustees, at least one of whom shall be the Honorary Treasurer or Chairperson.
Dissolution
If the Board of Trustees by a simple majority decide at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the GYC, it shall call a meeting of all members of which meeting not less than twenty one days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be posted in a place or places within the Borough of Gateshead and advertised in a newspaper circulating in the area of the Borough and given in writing to the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales.
If such resolution shall be confirmed by a simple majority of those present and voting at such meeting, the Board of Trustees shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the GYC; any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be applied towards charitable purposes for the benefit of the habitants of the Borough of Gateshead as the Board of Trustees may decide and as may be approved by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales.
Funding
2006/07 Funders:
The following funders have generously supported GYC work which we are very grateful for their continued support.
Henry Smith
Northern Rock Foundation
Community Legal Services
Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council Youth and Community Learning Service
The GYC continue to be grateful to Gateshead Council for its continuing support in staffing and guidance through YCLS and various other department and individuals. We will continue to work at maintaining a health partnership in the coming year to support the needs of young people in Gateshead.
Award
At 2006 AGM Celebration Event, Special Awards of recognition were given to the following:
Champions of Young People
Kath Green
Chris Hulme
Peter Jennings
Youth Champions
Atif Bilal
Jade Guy
Eram Javed