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Social investment themes (2008 - 2011)

The Trust has identified four key funding themes that respond to the needs of coalfield communities. A project must address one or more of the themes and for guidance on the suitability of your project please contact your regional office.

This theme aims to connect people living in deprived neighbourhoods to mainstream opportunities. We will be seeking forward-thinking and locally designed approaches that offer a route for people to get back into work. These approaches include:

• Engagement programmes that concentrate on pre-employment support provide information, advice and guidance and which prepare people for work.

• Work experience programmes that develop valuable skills, experiences and which respond to labour market demands.

• Employment programmes such as transitional labour market and wage subsidy schemes.

This theme aims to support people in accessing learning opportunities and developing their skills through added value activity (not statutory mainstream provision). These approaches include:

• Projects that raise aspirations and encourage a return to learning.

• Projects that engage people in formal and informal education.

• Projects that improve educational attainment and provide accredited training.

• Targeted work with young people promoting further education.

• Out of school hour’s activity.

This theme aims to improve the health and lifestyles of people living in coalfield communities through community based approaches and preventative projects that are additional to statutory provision:

• Projects that encourage healthier lifestyles, prevent ill health, promote self help or support groups and improve an individual’s quality of life.

• Projects that develop opportunities for people to participate in active leisure pursuits.

• The development of extra curricular activity programmes for children and young people.

• Preventative or awareness raising projects tackling issues such as poor diet, teenage pregnancy, substance misuse and mental health.

Access to Opportunities

This theme aims to improve access to services in coalfield communities recognising that limited community infrastructure and geographical isolation can prevent people from taking up opportunities. These approaches include:

• Projects that create new facilities improve existing facilities or acquire community owned assets to deliver services responsive to gaps in provision, evidenced community need and which demonstrate on going sustainability.

• The development of transport solutions such as community transport or wheels to work initiatives.

• Improved access to services that tackle poverty and debt.

• The development of new childcare provision.

• The provision of support services or facilities to enable the development of new social enterprise initiatives.

• The provision of support for the third sector to build capacity, improve service delivery and equip itself to take up procurement or commissioning opportunities.

For more information, download a copy of our Main Grants Information Booklet and Main Grants Information Booklet Addendumor Bridging The Gap Information Booklet or contact one of the Regeneration Managers - see contacting us