Tyneside Cyrenians – becomes ‘The Cyrenians’

Name change reflects geographic expansion

Wednesday 2 December 2009 - Successful North East based charity, Tyneside Cyrenians, has been renamed as ‘The Cyrenians’. The decision was formally approved at the recent AGM and reflects the Charity’s geographic expansion throughout the North East region,

The Charity is bucking the general economic trend. Within recent months The Cyrenians has grown substantially increasing turnover by 300 % to over £7 m and now employs over 180 people and has a volunteer team extending to over 170. Over 800 individual people weekly benefit from its work.

Stephen Bell, Chief Executive, explained:

“Our name change is important. It reflects our expansion, part of a planned strategy to deliver a wider range of services over a longer period of time to more people in a wider geographic area.

“First and foremost we support vulnerable and homeless people; we are recognised for being innovative and highly effective in our work. We are proud of our achievements and optimistic about the future.”

Over £5 million capital investment has been carried out by The Cyrenians in the region on a number of projects. These include the Virginia House, a flagship stabilisation project, Brighter Futures which specialises in construction skills training and Oaktrees, an alcohol dependency rehabilitation centre.

National Charity of the Year in 2008, The Cyrenians recently received The Queens Awards for Volunteering and Star Status in the Sunday Times ‘Best Companies to Work For’ 2009. Its work has been recognised through many awards in recent years including:

Charity Times - Charity of the Year

North East Winner - Drugs Worker of the Year – George Wake

North East Equality Award - Outstanding Practice

Make it work Award – awarded by Sunderland Way

2007

North East Winners - Drugs Team of the Year – Trading Places

Construction Excellence Awards - winner

John Laing - Day Centre of the Year Award - winner

Individual who has made a Difference’ Award - North-East Equality Awards - Stephen Bell

Ward Hadaway Voluntary Entrepreneur of the Year Community Foundation Awards - Stephen Bell

Learning and Skills Council Award for Pioneering Recruitment - North East

Learning and Skills Council Award for Pioneering Recruitment - Northumberland and Tyne and Wear

2010 is the 40^th Anniversary of the formation of The Cyrenians. It was in 1970 that Canon Thomas Gaughan, Brian Roycroft CBE, Frank Welsh and Frank Pollock, concerned about the lack of facilities for people “sleeping rough” in Newcastle, set up the Charity.

The name ‘Cyrenians’ was chosen after Simon of Cyrene, the bystander who, it was said, was press-ganged by the Roman army into helping Jesus carry his crucifix along the Via Dolorosa to his death. Simon was not significant or powerful man but the group felt he provided an example to follow – he showed that ordinary people have a part to play in sharing the burdens of others.