COMMUNITIES THAT WORK!
Communities That Work! is a new approach to neighbourhood regeneration which focuses on the real reasons why some coalfield areas are still among the most deprived in the country.
Together with local residents, we identify barriers and work out ways of solving those problems. The Trust’s funding helps to create facilities, services and opportunities that will transform lives, both economically and socially.
We have selected three neighbourhoods where we are piloting this approach between now and 2008: Higher Folds in Leigh; Haswell in County Durham; and Rother in Chesterfield. We are already seeing some very positive changes at a local level.
Focus on Higher Folds
Higher Folds is an isolated housing estate in Leigh with around 3000 residents. Part of the estate is among the most disadvantaged communities in the country. There are high levels of worklessness, single or low-income households and low educational attainment.
We talked to people across the community and found that there have been many barriers to gaining employment that range from affordable childcare and transport, to low confidence and skills levels in job seekers.
We also know that there are many strengths within the estate including a great sense of pride and community spirit and a willingness to work together in order to improve everyone’s quality of life.
We’re working with the community to bring those strengths to the fore. Our acheivements to date include:
- The creation of a Youth Works project on the estate
- Reducing worklessness from over 30% to under 20% - that means helping 230 people into full time employment
- Improving the Community Centre and developing new activities including a childcare social enterprise and a community transport scheme
- Investing in the community with a theatre group of all ages, a family support service and a micro-grant scheme
To see a generic booklet click here
To see a copy of the Haswell Communities That Work Newsletter, please click here
To see a copy of the Higher Folds Communities That Work Newsletter, please click here
To see a copy of the Rother Communities That Work Newsletter, please click here