The local picture

The Health Resource Centre is based in the heart of the Inner West of Newcastle upon Tyne, an area containing the wards of Elswick, Benwell & Scotswood, Fenham,Wingrove and Westgate. This area has some of the highest levels of social disadvantage and ill health in the Northern Region. There are high levels of unemployment and poor housing, anti-social behaviour and low educational attainment.

The area is home to a high percentage of minority ethnic communities, including a recent increase in the number of refugees and asylum seekers. Discrimination, social isolation and exclusion add to the problems that the area must face. The area is also characterised by an increasing number of lone parent households, a higher number of children living in no earner households, low car ownership, high youth unemployment and a progressive decline in the population.

However, despite this poor economic position, a great deal is happening at a local level to regenerate this community and provide the help and support people need to improve the quality of their lives. The area has a long history of effective community development work and a strong network of local groups working to effect the quality of people's lives. Many local people feel a great deal of pride for the area and the strong sense of community spirit is evident.

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