Scotswood Area Strategy

The Scotswood Area Strategy was set up by local residents about 12 years ago as part of a campaign to improve the quality of life for everyone living in Scotswood. It is now a registered charity and company limited by guarantee employing 33 staff. As well as the paid staff, the organisation involves about 40 volunteers in its activities.

The Strategy is led by its members, who are local residents. Responsibility for managing and overseeing the work lies with 11 trustees elected from the membership.

The most visible part of the Strategy's work is the community support centre in the former Co-op building in Armstrong Road - known locally as the Pink Palace. In addition, it delivers a range of projects and services across the west end, including:

• A family project which incorporates a community business running a café and bakery
• A parent and child support service

The biggest set of projects are those directed towards young people, and especially those young people who are struggling. These include:

• Two Youth Inclusion Programmes
• A pilot project around drugs and sexual health
• A youth project for black and minority ethnic young people
• A programme running in schools

Over 2,000 young people participate in the youth programmes run by the Strategy.

The strategy publish a monthly newsletter, Scotswood Now - these are the two most recent issues:

Issue 3 April 2007	Issue 4 May 2007

To contact the Area Strategy, ring 274 2429.