Issue 1451 Monday 4th December 2023
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Coffee on Campus
Mid-Module Mayhem
A summary of all the best spots for a cuppa...right here on campus! Food | page 22
Balancing deadlines and a social life whilst finding time to relax - how can it be done?
Mario Memory Card
Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games made for a great christmas gift.
Campus Comment | page 7
Gaming | page 31
Levelling up in the North East Paige Rutter - Head of Social Media
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Image Credit: Bill Henderson, WikimediaCommons
uccessful bids have resulted in three areas of the North East receiving government funding, through the third round of the levelling up fund. The Prime minister has set out an aim to boost the country’s economy along with jobs and supporting communities. The Levelling Up Fund, created by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is a highly competitive fund in place to strengthen the local economy and invest in areas most in need of support. This includes coastal towns and deprived areas, with the aim of levelling up opportunities across the UK. Through this scheme, areas must bid for investment on the projects they have prioritised leading to local MP’s providing support on two bids before official judgement. Controversy has stemmed from this approach as certain projects may spread over multiple constituencies which can involve MP’s from other parties. In January 2023 the Levelling Up Fund awarded £2.1bn to various projects. The 59 million awarded to the North East
has been split between three projects in South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees and a restoration facility to sustain the use of the River Tyne. £20m will be provided to South Tyneside in order to strengthen the South Shields riverside through three projects. These include the relocation of South Tyneside College closer to the town centre, a net zero centre at Holborn Renewable Energy Network and the redevelopment of Customs House. This would hope to improve the footfall in the city and aims to renew classrooms and performance areas as well as establishing educational visits. The leader of South Tyneside Council, Cllr Tracey Dixon, described the development as ‘fantastic news’ and added “I’m delighted that the government has recognised the strength of our original bid.” Almost £20m will go toward the restoration facility focused on sustaining the use of the River Tyne and access to the Quays. This comes with the aim to create more than 700 new jobs whilst protecting existing ones.
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The People’s Kitchen: Feeding hearts and homes this festive season Olivia Carter - Film Sub-Editor s the Christmas holidays steam towards us at an alarming rate and bitter frost takes over the streets, it is often easy to forget about those who are most in need; since the Pandemic, cases of homelessness throughout the North East have risen significantly, increasing strain on the need to provide for charities across the region. A study undertaken earlier in the year by Shelter found that Newcastle, Gateshead, and County Durham currently have the highest numbers of complete homelessness across the North East region, with an estimated 232, 229 and 226, respectively. These statistics lie among last winter’s report in which
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1250 people in the North east were reported to be homeless, including 360 children. With such numbers constantly on the rise, charities across the region have felt the pressure, including The People’s Kitchen, one of Newcastle’s leading homeless charities. Since 1985, The People’s Kitchen has been helping the homeless, providing those in need with essential amenities such as regular hot meals, toiletries, mobile phones and sleeping bags. “Help a friend in need” they say, and with supportive donations they are able to provide an amazing 250+ meals a day, 365 days a year, with services available for mental wellbeing as well as help with finding housing. This Christmas period has seen unprecedented tension for their supply and demand as more of their ‘friends’ are reported to be in need. This does not stop them, however, and with increased
public support they can provide a light for those in need in these dark times. As they do each year, The People’s Kitchen are relaunching their “Feed a Friend for a Fiver” Campaign, which gives the public a chance to donate £5 to them as the winter months draw in. As they do each year, The People’s Kitchen are relaunching their “Feed a Friend for a Fiver” Campaign, which gives the public a chance to donate £5 to them as the winter months draw in. Each year they have many Christmas celebrations, including a street party and a ‘live’ advent calendar. The street party will take place on 4 December and will give volunteers an opportunity to have some festive fun with those that they have the pleasure of helping.
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Image Credit: Mike Quinn, Geograph