Community Steering Group Member

The Tyne Derwent Way is Gateshead’s green getaway, a 9-mile route running from St Mary’s Heritage Centre in the centre of Gateshead, along the rivers Tyne and Derwent to Gibside, National Trust. The Way is underway thanks to Government funding, enabling us to celebrate and rejuvenate the nature, culture and heritage that Gateshead’s riverside has to offer.

This is an exciting time to get involved. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our community steering group.

This will involve 9 meetings over 9 months, lasting between 90 and 120 minutes each. Most of these will be at St Mary’s Heritage Centre, with some meetings at other locations along the Tyne Derwent Way. All travel expenses will be covered.

The purpose of the community steering group is to bring community voices into decision-making about the future of this project. The Tyne Derwent Way is currently run by Gateshead Riverside Partnership, made up of 5 partners. The community steering group will act as a 6th partner, meeting with the board three times over the course of the next 9 months.

Role and responsibilities include

Monthly meetings to discuss decisions and planning around the Tyne Derwent Way.
These conversations will initially be around steering how we improve infrastructure in this funded part of the project, and as the months progress will look towards the next steps for the project.
We will ask you to share your own experiences and opinions, and to reflect on how other Gateshead communities experience the route.
You will meet with the Tyne Derwent Way board 3 times to embed community voices into the decision-making of Gateshead Riverside Partnership.

Skills needed

Knowledge, skills and experience
● Ability to listen to other’s opinions and share your own
● Willingness to reflect on the different factors influencing decisions, and to explore these in a group setting
● A passion or knowledge for some aspect of the Tyne Derwent Way. This could be a particular section of the route, a theme like nature, culture or heritage, or a passion for a particular community/ community group accessing the Way.

Check requirements
All volunteers will be asked to provide two references from people who know you well enough to answer a few questions about you. They do not have to be professional references or previous employers. Please contact Stewart Turnbull, our Volunteer Manager, if you have any questions, concerns or worries about this.
Learning and development
● Complete TDW Volunteer Induction, training and support sessions as required
● Attend start-up meeting for the community steering group which will include some training and information.

Benefits for the Volunteer

This is a great opportunity to shape the future of Gateshead’s Riversides. It will also be a chance to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds and to gain experience of working as part of a small, dedicated team.

Volunteers will gain valuable experience in heritage, stewardship and programming events and decision making, all of which could enhance your CV.
As part of our promise to all our volunteers, you will receive role-specific training and/or support to help you carry out your volunteer role confidently and competently. You will have the option to contribute to our volunteer and

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