News 2012

Thrive talking
And here is the news... Its raining outside and Thrive is thriving, because of you!

A better deal for customers of the 350 million highcost lending industry

After success in our long-running action on rent-to-own companies, which resulted in significant changes to the practices of large companies in this sector, we have begun work on another project. We are working with the companies to share information about their customers so that they can get a better deal and move toward cheaper forms of credit. This has the potential to save money for hundreds of thousands of Britains poorest households who are forced to rely on the higher-cost end of the credit industry.
On the right: Kath Carter, Maureen Hagan and Carol Giles attend a high-cost credit roundtable meeting in Westminster.

People seeking sanctuary negotiate better deal with accommodation provider

The UK Border Agency is now in negotiation with various parties to see who will provide accommodation for people seeking sanctuary in the North East. DASUK (Denied Asylum Seekers UK) have been working with Thrive leaders, the North of England Refugee Service and Regional Refugee Forum to ensure that standards of accommodation are up to standard going into the new contract. In an action meeting in April, the group met with representatives of UKBA and G4S, using direct testimony and a packed hall to get their message across. Negotiations continue, and the leaders are making real changes on this important issue.
On the right: People attend the public meeting. A group of people seeking sanctuary gave direct testimony about their experiences.

Action book Money Pathways

We have again partnered with Durham University, and are interviewing and mentoring participants from the area for an in-depth study on debt and how to fight it. This is with the School of Applied Social Sciences. Thank you to all our researchers and mentors!

Energy vulnerability

We have engaged with the Department of Geography at Durham University who are researching the plight of people in fuel poverty.

A guide to working with universities

A report has now been publiched on the collaborative partnership between Thrive and Durham University. You can download and read it at www.beaconnortheast.org.uk/_ assets/media/library-file/5.pdf or www.publicengagement. ac.uk/how/case-studies/collaborating-social-justice

Bridging the gap

In the Spring we attended and spoke at the Bridging the Gap conference held at the Trinity Centre, North Ormesby. This was in conjunction with the Church Urban Fund and local churches. It brought leaders together to fight poverty in Middlesbrough, and an action group has been formed with the Church Urban Fund. (See www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/news-events/news/news-fromthe-diocese-of-york/01844.html)

Thrive in the news

If you watch Newsnight, you might have seen Nick Hurd, the Communities Minister, say that Thrive is the finest community organisation he has seen. This was after Kath and Maureen met him in his London office. The Financial Times journeyed from London to interview the leaders of Thrive after this comment. Thrive has also been featured in the Catholic journal The Tablet. On the left, you can see members of the Leadership Council reading the article. You can read it yourself at http://s.coop/tkal.

Thrive expands work into Middlesbrough

Thrive is now developing its work in Middlesbrough. This is an exciting time for Community Organising in Teesside and we look forward to working on important issues with local people there.

Upcoming events

Thrive will be holding its annual assembly in the autumn date to be confirmed very soon.

Our vision

Thrive believes that people have a right and a responsibility to define their own destiny, to participate in the decisions affecting their lives, and to shape the social, moral, political, economic, physical and spiritual environment to include their values.

Membership

Thrive uses the principles of broad-based community organising. We are a Institution-Based Power Organisation (IBPO) representing groups who have a concern for justice in their area. If you would like to make a difference to Teesside through working with others and supporting the most marginalised people in our community, contact the office.

Contact details

Thrive, Thornaby Methodist Church, Stanstead Way, Thornaby TS17 9EA. Telephone: 01642 769 570 Email: mail@thrive-stockton.org.uk. Twitter: @ThriveTeesside. Facebook: facebook.com/thrivestockton. Registered charity number 1125676