Partnership working across the public, private and third sectors
Winner: Mixenden Community Link, Halifax
What was the problem?
Addressing the challenges faced where the violence and intolerance towards a minority adversely impacted the community as a whole.
What action was taken?
An extensive survey of all asylum seekers living in the area was carried out to identify the real needs of the community. Community Link realised that asylum seekers and local people needed to be involved together to develop local solutions. A variety of initiatives resulted from this approach, including a bicycle loan scheme and sessions to help local groups understand the life of an asylum seeker.
What is special about this project?
This is an outstanding example of sustainable change at the local level. Whilst HBOS, Pennine Housing, Connecting Communities Comic Relief, Calderdale Borough Council and local contractors have all provided financial contributions to the initiative, the project itself is run on a very tight budget. Its ability to be self-sustaining ensures the outstanding work will continue.
Racial and cultural boundaries have also been transcended. Although issues still need to be addressed, there can be little doubt that this process has resulted in a positive change in the shape of multicultural cooperation. The common goal is to build a genuinely sustainable community by understanding the diverse needs of the local people. There’s no better illustration of this than the group of volunteers who repainted the local church with the help of asylum seekers from a variety of faiths.
What can be learned?
Mixenden Community Link illustrates perfectly the fact that the empowerment of local communities is not necessarily dependent on huge budgets but on a culture of understanding and co-operation, where barriers can be broken down and unfair myths dispelled.
Finalists
The Holborn Partnership
London
A pilot Business Improvement District (BID) was adopted following a referendum in 2005. Unlike many BIDs, the area covered by the Holborn Partnership is predominantly commercial as opposed to retail. Positive engagement with both the public and voluntary sectors means that the benefits arising from the BID extend well beyond the business community and incorporate a wide range of activities from personal safety to improved public realm. One of the partnership’s key strengths is its ability to draw resources from a range of sectors. It also has a strong focus on the long-term future, not just short-term gain.
West Ham and Plaistow Business Broker Programme
London
The East London Business Alliance has connected with members of the community traditionally considered hard to reach, providing training and support that builds on aspirations beyond the ‘normal’ types of job they would seek. An excellent financing strategy, supported by West Ham and Plaistow New Deal Partnership and the Morgan Stanley International Fund, means the project will continue even when the initial funding stops.
Tyneside Cyrenians Self Build Project
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Homeless people in West Newcastle were given the opportunity to develop their construction skills by building a hostel and office space. An outstanding partnership was developed to deliver the project with contributions from organisations, such as Lumsden and Carroll Construction (part of the Esh Group). The construction partner committed to employing homeless people and providing NVQ qualification training. The Department of Work and Pensions fast-tracked the trainees participating in the scheme, and Newcastle City Council worked with the project on planning and funding issues.
The partnership has resulted in the building of a well-designed hostel of high quality. Those who completed the course have a sense of pride and achievement. Their self-esteem has been raised and they now have qualifications to help them towards long-term employment.
Category Sponsor
The Housing Forum, Constructing Excellence
