The quality, scope and number of partnerships put in place by Urban Green Newcastle was one of its key successes. The charity recognised delivering quality public open space for residents while reducing costs could not be done in isolation. From the outset, the team adopted an open and collaborative approach, and throughout its existence worked with over 100 partners and organisations to deliver more for local people.
Urban Green Newcastle staff and Trustees were extremely grateful to all partners and organisations that contributed invaluable help and support. Upon the transfer of assets back to Newcastle City Council, charity Trustees expressed the hope that many of the partnerships put in place would continue.
It would be impossible to list all those who contributed so much, supporting both the charity and people of Newcastle. The list below provides just a snapshot, and the full list of all those who helped is included in Urban Green Newcastle’s annual accounts on the Charity Commission website.
The National Trust has been a strong supporter of both Urban Green Newcastle and Newcastle City Council (including prior to Urban Green Newcastle’s creation). It then provided invaluable advice, financial support and inclusion in a number of national programmes (including the Future Parks Accelerator, Nature Towns and Cities, Blossom Together and Nature Neighbourhoods.
Newcastle City Council, through both its staff and elected members, provided valuable help and support to Urban Green Newcastle in multiple ways, as well as the provision of core funding. Additional support at short notice was available when the charity faced crises such as Storm Arwen or extensive littering during Covid, and the the charity welcomed the proactive and enthusiastic collaboration of many sections of the council, including EVRY, the Youth Council, Public Health and Landscape and Ecology.
Newcastle Hospitals Charity and the Community Foundation have been part of a successful ongoing partnership to promote community arts for the benefit of NHS patients, staff and the wider public – in particular via the Springbank Pavilion project.
Northumbria University forged close links with Urban Green Newcastle, with several different departments working with the charity on joint research projects, such as the review of ‘Innovation, Co-Governance and Democracy in Urban Greenspaces’: with student projects, such as the review of No Mow May; and providing the expert scientific input into Beelines North East and Newcastle’s Nature Networks.
Regular volunteer groups such as GoodGym, Walker Wasters, and of course the Friends of Groups and Heaton Model Boat Club provided many hours of support helping to maintain the parks.
Newcastle Allotments Working Group – alongside the Allotment Association committees, gave tirelessly of their time to provide advice and guidance, in particular in the redrafting of policies and procedures to help with the smoother running of the allotment sites.
Heaton Stannington and Walker Central Football Clubs did so much to reactivate the parks for young people and families – running activities, events and supporting the Urban Green Newcastle team.
Natural History Society of Northumbria provided premises, training, ran multiple activities across the parks, and were an invaluable partner in both Beelines North East and Newcastle’s Nature Networks.
The Skill Mill and the Probation Service provided a hugely beneficial support service to the ranger and community gardener team, helping with essential maintenance.
LGA Foundation were an early advocate for Urban Green Newcastle, supporting a number of areas of work including volunteer equipment, the establishment of Springbank Pavilion, the set up of the Urban Green cafes, and the refurbishment of the water play equipment in Exhibition Park.
The Conservation Volunteers developed an invaluable partnership with Urban Green Newcastle, helping the development of corporate volunteering, and eliciting the support of local businesses such as the Sage Group who gave their time so regularly and willingly to help maintain the parks.
Reece Foundation were instrumental in drawing attention to the need for a more co-ordinated approach and greater controls for the Ouseburn Valley, and supporting the charity in its work.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund provided support and funding, both prior to the charity’s establishment, and while it was in operation through a number of grant regimes.
The level of tree planting achieved by Urban Green Newcastle was made possible not only by the grant funding of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund and Species Survival Fund, but also with the partnership of a number of organisations, including North East Community Forest, Ringtons, and Earthwatch.
Urban Green Newcastle’s former Trustees and staff would like to thank the many people and organisations that have helped and supported the charity between 2019 and 2025. Although it is not possible to list every one, their contribution, support and enthusiasm for the model has been invaluable.
