Neoliberal driven austerity is changing the role of the state, modes of public service provision and concepts of citizenship. How to thrive in today's society is a challenge for communities around the world at a time when government policies are increasingly promoting privatisation, deregulation and individualisation of responsibilities. Drawing on innovative cases and strategic initiatives from North East England, this book explores multiple ways in which communities are responding to these challenging conditions. Co-authored by practitioners and academics, it provides deeper insights into the efficacy of these approaches through key policy issues including access to food, education and health.

Mel Steer is Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow at Northumbria University.
Simin Davoudi is Professor of Environment and Planning at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University.
Mark Shucksmith OBE is Professor of Planning at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University.
Liz Todd is Professor of Educational Inclusion at the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at Newcastle University.

Chapter 1 Islands of Hope in a Sea of Despair: Civil Society in an Age of Austerity
Chapter 2 The North East of England: Place, Economy and People
Part I: The Public Sector and Civil Society
Chapter 3 The Public Sector and Civil Society: Introduction
Chapter 4 Innovation Outside the State: The Glendale Gateway Trust
Chapter 5 The Byker Community Trust and the 'Byker Approach'
Chapter 6 Café Society: Transforming Community Through Quiet Activism and Reciprocity
Chapter 7 'Computer Says No': Exploring Social Justice in Digital Services
Chapter 8 Drive to Thrive: A Place-Based Approach to Tackling Poverty in Gateshead
Chapter 9 City of Dreams: Enabling Children and Young People's Cultural Participation and Civic Voice in Newcastle and Gateshead
Chapter 10 Are We 'All in This Together?': Reflecting on the Continuities Between Austerity and COVID-19 Crises
Part II: The Civic University
Chapter 11 The Civic University: Introduction
Chapter 12 Reinventing a Civic Role for the 21st-Century: The Cathedral and the University
Chapter 13 Realising the Potential of Universities for Inclusive, Innovation-Led Development: The Case of the Newcastle City Futures Urban Living Partnership Pilot
Chapter 14 Future Homes: Developing New Responses Through New Organisations
Chapter 15 The Good, the Bad and the Disconcerting: A Week in the Life of University Project Based Learning for Schools
Chapter 16 The Containment of Democratic Innovation: Reflections from Two University Collaborations
Chapter 17 Citizen Power, the University and the North East
Chapter 18 So What is a University in Any Case?: A Grass-roots Perspective on the University and Urban Social Justice
Chapter 19 Conclusion: Hope in an Age of Austerity, and a Time of Anxiety