Special Projects
‘Communities that Work!’ Programme
This programme built on the Trust’s strengths over the first two funding rounds (1999-2005) in terms of knowledge, understanding of coalfield communities and targeting resources appropriately. It also responded to both community demands and stakeholder expectations to make a real and lasting change at a neighbourhood level in severely deprived former mining communities.
We developed the Communities that Work! programme to make coalfield communities a better place to live, work and learn. Our approach was to work at a neighbourhood level in areas that would benefit from an integrated effort from the Trust via delivery partners and other local organisations and the focus was very much on bringing about measurable economic and social transformation.
The Trust had three “Communities that Work!” Special programmes in operation, at Higher Folds in the North West and Haswell in the North East and part of Rother Ward, Chesterfield East Midlands.
The first two areas are in predominantly peripheral/rural locations whereas the East Midlands location covered only part of a larger Ward.
“Rother” provided an ideal platform to see how the programme objectives as a direct comparison can be implemented in an urban location.
While not an exact science, the criteria to identify a Communities that Work! Area included:
· Demonstrable need for intervention evidenced by ranking on ID2004
· A clear indication that the area is a funding ‘cold spot’
· Low levels of voluntary sector infrastructure
· Low levels of community capacity to create support for projects.
· A clear assessment how the Trust could add value to transform the area
· Opportunities for partnerships with other funders and delivery partners
· Potential for demonstration and learning
· Potential for sustainability of the programme, via partners, post CRT funding
The Communities that Work! programme was a new approach for the Trust and we have learnt some valuable lessons. The programme was evaluated throughout by by Trust staff and externally by Tribal HCH.
One of the key lesson we have learned is that by listening to local residents, talking not about grants but about needs, and responding in a co-ordinated way both directly and through delivery partners to address not one or two, but a range of issues, the Trust can contribute to a positive step change to the lives of people living in coalfield communities.
For a generic booklet click here.
Communites That Work! Haswell Newsletters Issue One, Issue Two, Issue Three.
Centrepoint Affordable Housing Project Firm Foundations (£45,000)
This project builds upon the previous CRT funded affordable housing research project to develop tangible responses to the needs identified by young people in ex-coalfield communities.
The project will cover the coalfield areas of Easington and Derwentside where 23 of the 33 wards are amongst the top 10% most deprived wards in England, the remaining 11 wards are in the 25% of the most deprived wards.
The project received a grant in Round Two to involve socially excluded young people in identifying the obstacles that prevent them accessing affordable housing in ex-coalfield communities in Durham. Having established the difficulties, they were to then embark upon activities to find a variety of potential solutions that could be developed locally. This would improve access to affordable housing and provide young people with the opportunity to remain in their communities.
On this programme Centrepoint will design and develop a training programme for housing and construction skills development linked to the renovation of properties so that the programme is ready to commence in January 2007.
The Trust is funding the salary for a project worker.
There is a severe housing shortage for single homeless people and problems around anti-social behaviour and community cohesion are sometimes exacerbated because these young people do not perceive that they have a stake in their community.
The project will be led by a steering group that has representation from local residents associations, local authorities, government agencies, further education colleges, training providers, voluntary organisations and local construction companies. Over 500 young people were involved in the original research project and 50 of these young people have expressed an interest in remaining involved with the project and of representing the views of their peers on a Young Peoples project reference group, which will link to the steering group.
The project will produce an accredited construction training programme for young people incorporating practical building and renovation experience. The training will enhance the employability of young people and will provide them with new skills and confidence. The project should lead to an increase in affordable housing for young people because it will safeguard properties that are at risk of demolition and will bring them back into use.
Kick Start Northumberland
Kick Start Northumberland, received a £287,500 grant from the Trust and is a grants scheme that allows individuals to apply for funding to carry out one-off tasks that will enable them to gain employment.
This project aims to help people back into work by allowing individuals to apply for funding to assist them back into employment.
Trust funding will only be used for beneficiaries in CRT priority wards in Wansbeck, Blyth Valley, Castle Morpeth and Alnwick. The scheme will also specifically target Ellington, which is based in Castle Morpeth and has recently experienced a pit closure.
The request for Trust funding is to expand the scheme as the group have already secured Single Programme funding of £150,000 to support the project. A gap was identified in terms of a needed investment to help more people into work which would increase the scale of support given and the numbers helped into work.
Awards are available up to a maximum of £1,000 (the average award has actually been under £400 to date). The funding request must be linked to gaining employment and covers such things as training courses; necessary equipment; travel costs etc.
The scheme has established very good working relationships with other partners, suppliers and training providers, thus ensuring that Kick Start funds are used in the most efficient manner in order to help as many people as possible.
Unemployed individuals are rarely in a position where they can afford the full cost of training, or have money available to pay for equipment, the initial travel costs of getting to work or of safety clothing they may need in order to access job opportunities, with the result they miss out on available job opportunities.
Applications are turned around quickly and job/training opportunities are not missed, decisions can be made within days rather than weeks.
The scheme targets those most disadvantaged and this is reflected in the fact that the majority of applicants are referrals from the partner agencies.
Regen School North (£120,000)
Regen School North will accommodate any eligible organisations / groups in the North East coalfield communities.
Regen School North East will deliver a 20-day programme (spread over 9 months) of training and development for the voluntary and community sectors. The programme is designed to enhance the capacity and the sustainability of the sector and if approved this project will provide support for 30 coalfields community based organisations. The programme of support comprises a bespoke package for each organisation based on the programme already successfully delivered by the School. The main aim of this programme is to support community-led businesses and help them work towards sustainability.
The mentors used by Regen School come from a wide range of community based organisations within North East Coalfield Community areas and their expertise covers all aspects of business and project management. Investment for the trainers is recycled back in to their Coalfields Community Projects.
An ODPM Research report has stated that: 'Regen School has established itself and its pioneering approaches to 'learning through experience' as an integral element in the regeneration support infrastructure'.
60 individuals will benefit from the programme, which can count towards the credits needed to gain entrance to Teesside University's foundation degree in Community Development. The School are also seeking accreditation from the Open College Network.
Sunderland Housing Group £117,876
This project is a vocational training programme, which aims to provide realistic construction skills training opportunities on new housing development sites for year 10 and 11 pupils. The initiative is designed to create an interest in the construction trade as a career option and will hopefully attract a mixed range of ability pupils into the construction industry which is currently experiencing acute skills shortages.
Funding was requested to purchase a second training facility, thus helping meet the demand for places.
The project will benefit the former coalfield areas in Sunderland particularly the wards of Southwick, Castle, Redhill, the Washington wards, Silksworth, Doxford, Ryhope, St Chad’s, Copt Hill, Houghton and Hetton.
The training facility will offer a classroom / teaching area, a construction training workshop, a brickwork area and a painting and decorating area. The programme is designed to not only develop practical construction skills but is also used to enhance employability skills. The young people gain experience of interview and recruitment processes as well as the opportunity to develop key skills whilst participating in team building exercises to complete construction related challenges. As well as benefiting from 'taster courses' the young people will be able to work towards recognised qualifications.
The innovative location of the facility (on a construction site but in a safe enclosure) allows the young people to experience first hand the workings of a building site and to observe progress through regular site tours. Because the Construction Skills Training Facility and equipment are not permanent fixtures, the training facility will be transferred to a new site when construction works have been completed.
The shortage of skilled labour in the construction trades is well documented.
Construction Challenge forms part of Sunderland's 14-19 strategy which seeks to provide a range of vocational training options as an alternative to the traditional academic curriculum.
The project will target former Coalfield areas and will offer over 100 Year 10 and 11 pupils (in each academic year) realistic construction skills training opportunities at a purpose built facility on new Pathway Homes development sites through taster courses and on the Foundation Certificate in Building Craft Occupations programme.
The project is geared towards attracting a range of mixed ability pupils. Pupils in the schools involved are being offered the opportunity to join the programme. The project is also geared towards presenting construction skills training as an attractive options choice for female pupils. Fourteen girls took part in taster programmes run at the South Hylton Green site. There is also scope to go on to the adult apprentice scheme with SHG after completing the programme.