Special Projects
‘Communities that Work!’ Programme
This new programme builds 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 responds 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 have developed the Communities that Work! programme to make coalfield communities a better place to live, work and learn. Our approach has been 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 is very much on bringing about measurable economic and social transformation.
The Trust currently have 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 covers only part of a larger Ward. It is therefore hoped that “Rother” will provide 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 includes:
· 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 can 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 is a new approach for the Trust and we are keen to learn lessons, therefore the programme will be evaluated from the outset by Trust staff and externally by Tribal HCH.
Already 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