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Tyne & Wear

Tyne and Wear Citizens

Who are we?

We are Tyne & Wear Citizens, a Citizens UK Chapter.

Hundreds of people form our alliance from churches, mosques, schools, charities, trade union branches and a university. Together, we organise to tackle injustices in our local communities and bring about change.

What are we fighting for?

The priority issues voted on by members in our community include:

  • Racial Justice in Education
  • Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis
  • A more Just Housing system for the region

Woman speaking with two women standing next to her holding a rose
Tyne & Wear Assembly

Tyne & Wear Manifesto 2024

In the North East, the 35 members of Tyne & Wear Citizens undertook 1000s conversations to find out what's putting pressure on our communities, and how we can organise together to find solutions to some of the injustices being faced. We've created a manifesto of changes we're asking the new North East Mayor and Combined Authority to work with us on: from making the North East a Living Wage region, supporting mental health in schools to tackling racial inequality in education.

Founding Partners

  • Newcastle Quakers
  • Newcastle University - Institute for Social Renewal & HASS Humanities and Social Sciences Department
  • CofE Diocese of Newcastle
  • RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
  • CofE Diocese of Durham

Strategic Partners

  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle
  • Newcastle University

Sara Bryson (Lead Organiser)
sara.bryson@citizensuk.org


Claire Rodgerson (Senior Organiser)
claire.rodgerson@citizensuk.org


Wendy McConnell (Parent Action and Community Organiser)
wendy.mcconnell@citizensuk.org

Since our founding in 2015, we have:

  • More than quadrupled the number of real Living Wage accredited employers in the North East – including Newcastle University, the University of Sunderland, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council.
  • Launched two Living Wage Cities - Sunderland and Newcastle.
  • Run a national campaignJust Change – so that young people on Free School Meals get the same treatment as their peers.
  • Run a rapid response national campaign - so that young people on Free School Meals got access to food during school 'closures' in 2020.
  • Held a Citizens Mental Health Commission - hearing over 300 testimonies leading to institutional changes to improve mental health and well-being in the region and to establishing the national School-Based Counselling Campaign.
  • Reclaimed the Metro and won a Hate Crime Charter for public transport.

And more! Get in touch to find out.

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