The South Tyneside Pledge is continuing to make a significant impact across the borough, generating more than £10 million a year for the local economy while helping organisations work together to support residents, businesses and communities.
An independent evaluation of the initiative, which launched in 2022, has highlighted its growing success, with around 450 organisations now signed up and committed to creating opportunities for local people, strengthening businesses and improving community wellbeing.
The report found the Pledge is already:
- Supporting jobs, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities for local people.
- Helping organisations spend more with local businesses and strengthen supply chains.
- Creating new income opportunities for businesses and charities.
- Bringing organisations together to build partnerships and share opportunities.
- Boosting volunteering, wellbeing and community engagement.
Overall, the evaluation concludes that the Pledge is strengthening local connections, encouraging collaboration and keeping more money circulating within South Tyneside, helping the borough grow in a way that benefits everyone.
Cllr David Royal, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Investment at South Tyneside Council said: “The South Tyneside Pledge is something the borough can be really proud of. It shows what can happen when organisations come together with a shared commitment to support local people, jobs and communities.
“This independent evaluation confirms that the Pledge is already delivering real value for the Borough. Not just in pounds, but in stronger partnerships, new opportunities and a growing sense of pride in South Tyneside.
“We want to build on this success. The focus now is on deepening participation, supporting our existing members and making sure the benefits of the Pledge are felt even more widely across our borough.”
The evaluation also found the Pledge has become an important part of how businesses, charities and public sector organisations collaborate across South Tyneside.
Among its findings:
- Around three-quarters of organisations say they are more focused on engaging with the local community since joining.
- More than four in five say the Pledge aligns closely with their organisation’s values.
- Almost half have introduced new local suppliers as a direct result of their involvement.
The report concludes that the Pledge is a credible and effective way of strengthening the local economy while recognising there is still scope to increase participation and expand its impact.
Organisations across the borough are already seeing tangible benefits, from developing stronger local supply chains to creating new opportunities for residents.
South Shields-based non-profit Our1Community has used the Pledge to establish new partnerships and strengthen its work across education, creative arts, hospitality and community support.
Through the initiative, the organisation has connected with local businesses and suppliers, enabling it to source services locally while supporting ongoing projects and future venue development.
The Pledge has also sparked new ideas and conversations around future partnerships designed to benefit the wider community.
Chris Pickering, who leads the organisation, says the Pledge offers far more than traditional networking by creating meaningful opportunities to collaborate and make a positive local impact.
Chris said: “As a small organisation or microbusiness in the Borough, it can feel quite lonely at times. Having a space where you can connect with other organisations, knowing they’re facing the same challenges, makes a real difference.
Being able to get advice, share experiences and feel part of something bigger is a huge motivator. Having that network of supportive peers and ‘critical friends’ through the Pledge is genuinely valuable.”
South Shields-based risk management firm Pentagon Assurance has also embraced the Pledge, using it to shape decisions around sustainability, recruitment and community engagement.
Since signing up, the company has increased its use of local suppliers, supported local recruitment and introduced initiatives including volunteering and environmental activities.
The Pledge has also helped the business strengthen relationships with other local organisations, creating opportunities to collaborate and share best practice.
Managing Director Barry Cooper says the initiative provides businesses with a practical framework for supporting the local economy while growing sustainably.
Barry said: “We thought the Pledge was a great idea. As a business based in South Tyneside, we had already been working to support local suppliers and employees, but the Pledge has given us the chance to learn from other employers, work together, and strengthen the local economy.
“It’s a great community, and being part of the Pledge has also been really valuable for us as a business – helping us improve our governance, become more sustainable, and shape our growth in line with our ambitions.”
South Tyneside Council will now use the findings of the evaluation to build on the Pledge’s success, with a focus on encouraging more organisations to become actively involved and turning new connections into lasting opportunities for local people.
To find out more about the South Tyneside Pledge, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/pledge.
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