CASE STUDY 1: Engaging young people
‘An estate with little to do for young people.’ That’s what residents said about Kirby Frith in Leicester – and it was something we were determined to change.
Working with partner organisations, we helped set up a residents’ association, and built relationships with local youngsters by attending football matches, handing out flyers and spending time visiting the estate at weekends.
Having engaged a core group of around 25 young people who wanted to make a difference, we identified a potential funding source called ‘Yopital Wonga’ through Leicester City Council.
We helped the young people win almost £20,000 of funding to provide:
- a weekly mobile youth service called the Streetvibe bus
- two youth workers
- fortnightly football coaching and street dance sessions
- experience of presenting a community radio show
It’s changed their perspective of the area, given them a sense of purpose and shown them what they can achieve.
“I have never worked with a community before that have got as involved as these young people have. They should be proud of themselves, and I’m privileged to have been a part of it.”
Emma Rich, Community Development Officer
CASE STUDY 2: Let’s dance!
We helped young people from Spring Boroughs, St James and Semilong in Northampton, enjoy urban dance workshops.
The sessions have been organised by a Youth Development Officer, supported by us as one of the partners in CASPAR+NR, the Neighbourhood Renewal Team.
The project came about thanks to funding awarded by Northampton Borough Council’s Youth Forum through the Money 4 Youth Scheme. It was suggested by young people, as a way of getting fit, learning new skills, and making new friends.
Those attending learned a dance routine working with a professional dance tutor, and attended educational workshops from support organisations, including youth training and employment service Connexions, Northamptonshire Police and health professionals, who talked about nutrition, sexual health and substance misuse.
Those attending also had the opportunity to achieve a Community Sports Leadership Award.
CASE STUDY 3: Learning in action
A programme we initiated to help tenants and residents develop their skills, knowledge and confidence so they can really make a difference to their communities, continues to expand.
‘Learning Equals’ is a partnership between LHA, six other housing associations and two local authorities, which aims to help service users influence service delivery.
Dealing with anti-social behaviour, managing diversity and building confidence are just three of the 11 workshops featured in the programme.
CASE STUDY 4: Realising the dream
Many people dream of starting their own business and becoming financially self-sufficient, but lack the funding to get their ideas off the ground - because commercial lenders prefer to avoid the risk of small scale start ups with no track record.
Social enterprise Moneyline, was launched in Leicestershire with backing from LHA and other organisations, to help would-be entrepreneurs access flexible financial support.
More than £50,000 has already been lent to 15 new businesses.
Moneyline is also helping people access credit, who would otherwise be excluded from the financial mainstream.
In a separate project called ‘Making Connections’, we have secured £10,000 of funding to provide advice and support to residents of two Leicester estates on financial matters, and help with learning and careers.
CASE STUDY 5: Targeted support
We listen carefully to residents’ wishes, and provide direct financial support to projects where even a relatively modest amount of money can make a big difference to people’s lives.
Recently we have supported:
- A financial inclusion conference in Northamptonshire to share best practice with partners and providers
- A community sports association in Whaley Thorns, Derbyshire, to buy a pool table
- Nottingham Credit Union in a campaign to connect tenants/residents to key services
- Residential training for young people in Kirby Frith, Leicester to support them in winning funding for the first youth facilities in their community
- Police Community Clubs of Great Britain with anti-bullying and anti-social behaviour booklets for school children in Braunstone, Leicester
- A resident-led screen printing project benefiting over 100 people in Leicester, to develop skills, and bring people from different backgrounds together
“It’s been really good having the pool table. It gives the kids something to do and an opportunity to try something new. We’ve started a league now, with both junior teams and senior teams and it’s doing really well.”
Paul Harford, chairman of Whaley Thorns Community Sports Association