February 2013
The Foundation is focused on helping voluntary organisations to become more resilient and to that aim, in 2013, will continue and increase the Fresh Ideas Fund which helps charities to grow, explore new ways of generating income and achieve greater impact.
The Foundation sees resilient organisations as those who are adaptable, have the capability to respond positively to change (both internal and external) and the capacity to make proactive and flexible decisions about the future direction of their organisation.
The two organisations featured this month are recipients of a Fresh Ideas Fund grant.
Bike Stop
The Archbishop of Canterbury (formally Bishop of Durham) opening Bike Stop in Darlington.
First Stop Darlington is a day centre which provides a range of support services to homeless and vulnerable people in the town. First Stop was reliant on two main sources of income; grants from charitable trusts and foundations, and contracts with public sector bodies. Recognising that some of these funding opportunities were changing, First Stop applied to the Fresh Ideas Fund to carry out a feasibility study into two different social enterprise ideas; a vending business and recycling second hand bicycles. It also applied for additional investment to launch one or more of the businesses depending on the results of the study. First Stop was successful and was awarded up to £38,404 at the end of 2011.
The results of the feasibility study led the charity to focus on recycling bicycles, culminating with the creation of Bike Stop Darlington. Based in a large shop unit in the centre of the town, Bike Stop refurbishes and sells second hand bikes, and services them.
Bike Stop Darlington is more than just a cycle hub within the town centre, it provides a range of activities to meet both clients and general public’s needs. Tracey Freeman, the driving force behind Bike Stop refers to it as, “taking the best of tradition and wrapping it in the stylish contemporary world that mixes modern with vintage, classic with boho, upcycled with restoration and passion with skills. Bike Stop Darlington is carving a future within the world of business.”
To visit Bike Stop’s facebook page, please click here.
Tyneside Mind
Tyneside Mind supports people with mental health problems in Tyneside from its base in Gateshead. In 2012, Tyneside Mind started to look at diversifying its income streams to make it more sustainable in the longer term. After discussions with their Board of Trustees they decided to look at the possibility of establishing a separate trading subsidiary. The proposal outlined the main features of providing paid for services, without major risk to their core business. The proposal; a Tyneside Mind Therapy Centre, would offer paid for services at affordable rates. The offer might include counselling, group work or other therapies, as well as an online/offline resource for those supporting or caring for someone with a mental health issue, to use as a source of specialised information. 
Tyneside Mind applied to the Fresh Ideas fund to undertake a full feasibility study as well as drafting a cogent Business Plan to demonstrate that this endeavour could generate sufficient income to become a financially viable and sustainable model of service delivery. They were successful and awarded £25,760.
NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION PUBLISHES PIVOTAL DEMENTIA REPORT