The Great Aycliffe Community Aid Partnership AGM was held on 20th April at the Big Club. Chairman Ron Mitchie thanked all for attended and for helping on the day. He said so many people were doing good in the community and they shouldn’t be afraid of saying so.
The Secretary gave a power point presentation which encompassed all that had happened throughout the year showing all speakers who enlightened the partnership. She concluded with three points for the year ahead. Website completion. The development of Friends of and Associates of GACAP and to have our own community welfare hub,
The Treasurer’s report was accepted with Liane Taylor thanked for her service as Treasurer. The new Treasurer Dawn McCreanor, was welcomed.
The first speaker Chris Reeve spoke on Modern Slavery, saying there were more slaves now than there was when slavery was recorded. Chris worked alongside Northumbrian Police and he outlined areas of slavery as forced/tricked labour, sexual assault. Forced labour.
Chris said he was excited to be addressing GACAP because community groups were the best people to know exactly where areas of concern were. He encouraged people to contact the police with their concerns, even if their suspicions were untrue.
Simon Day spoke on the group he was setting up saying they were a relatively new abolition group, but have realised in setting up that there were people who need support in many different avenues. Their FREE community lunches were very popular. 28 on Christmas Day and 50 on Easter Sunday.
Sid Rooke Director of NE First Credit Union said there was a new ring-fenced scheme for people who need to renew white goods and items of furniture. Loans could be granted to people with a poor credit history. The Credit Union would do all they could to Stop Loan Sharks
The final speaker was our MP Phil Wilson, who said it had been good to hear from the experts. We think Modern Day Slavery only happens in big cities but we have heard that it is on our own doorstep.
The Credit Union was important to help people who struggle with finances and he was happy to hand out information as needed from his office in the town centre.
He said it wasn’t all negative about Newton Aycliffe, it had the largest Business Park in the North of England. There is a lot of great work going on, Hitachi were bidding for more prestigious work.
He wanted to promote good work in the area and in closing said that Newton Aycliffe had a lot to be proud of, from cutting edge technology to a vibrant coffee shops.
Vice Chairman, Geoff Batchelor read a letter from the founder and life president of GACAP, Syd Howarth, M.B.E ,in which he expressed praise for the officers and new committee and encouragement for the year ahead.
Pictured (Main) Sid Rooke, Director of NE First Credit Union and MP Phil Wilson
