Neighbourhood Challenge finalists

Find out more about the 17 finalists for our Neighbourhood Challenge project

Groundwork North East in Sunderland
In partnership with Coalfields Community Cohesion Group

Groundwork North East is a charity that operates across the North East which aims to create projects and services that benefit both people and the wider environment. The charity works on hundreds of individual projects each year, with a focus on activity in disadvantaged communities. Ongoing projects include the Creating Heath project which takes derelict and unused areas and re-develops them alongside community groups to create useable growing spaces to encourage healthier diets and lifestyles through green exercise.

Coalfields Community Cohesion Group provides an opportunity for partners, service providers and representatives in the local area to meet to discuss any community relations or cohesion issues.
www.northeast.groundwork.org.uk


Prescap in Preston, Lancashire
In partnership with the Bespoke Project
This Preston-based charity uses art to support regeneration, social cohesion and community development, particularly working with hard to reach and socially excluded individuals, groups and communities. Prescap’s methods of working are a mixture of community development techniques combined with arts and media.

The Bespoke Project is a collaborative research project between five British universities, including the University of Central Lancashire. Bespoke is a multidisciplinary project investigating how digital systems and devices can increase social inclusion and improve lives.
www.prescap.co.uk   www.bespokeproject.org


Surrey Community Foundation in Esher
The Community Foundation for Surrey is an independent charitable trust which aims to improve the lives of people in Surrey by raising the levels of giving. Part of the national network of Community Foundations, the trust awards grants to local community and voluntary groups who make a real difference to the well-being of those in their communities. These grants are allocated from a growing programme of charitable funds established by individuals and organisations who want to help local people in need and see their donations make a difference.
www.communityfoundationsurrey.org.uk


The Coopers Edge Trust in Gloucstershire
In partnership with the University of Gloucester
This Gloucestershire community group aims to promote provide all members of the community with opportunities to achieve their full potential regardless of their social background.

They work across the community by improving access to services and strengthening ties between friends, families and neighbours.The group will operate a new primary school being built in Coopers Edge.  They are partnering with the University of Gloucestershire
www.glos.ac.uk  www.coopersedgeschool.co.uk/index.html


Aldridge Foundation : Darwen Community Academy
The Aldridge Foundation is a charity which is primarily focused on the effects of educational underachievement and social exclusion on the young, but also in removing the barriers to the reform of public services in general.  The Darwen Academy specialises in Entrepreneurship and Sport, and seeks to encourage both business and social enterprise in the young, developing skills such as passion, creativity and determination in students
www.aldridgefoundation.com
 

Bradford Moor play and support service (PASS) in Yorkshire
In partnership with UnLtd.
The Bradford Moor play and support service (PASS) is a community led voluntary action organisation based in Bradford, responsible for delivering community projects on a piece of reclaimed wasteland. They have turned this local land into a thriving centre point for community leisure, health, and educational activities including improving public health, supporting youth activities, womens’ groups and encouraging volunteering.

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and offers the largest such network in the world. UnLtd resources over 1,000 individuals each year through its core Awards programme. UnLtd operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding between £500 and £15,000 to ongoing advice, networking and practical support.
www.unltd.org.uk


Community Foundation for Merseyside in Merseyside
In partnership with South Liverpool Housing
Community Foundation for Merseyside is part of a national network of community foundations. It provides grants to local voluntary and community groups to help them build a stronger Merseyside and tackle modern social issues linked to various themes such as isolation, health and tackling anti-social behaviour.

South Liverpool Housing Group is a not for profit housing association which manages approximately 3500 homes in the South Liverpool area. It is helping to transform the area through major investment, pioneering partnerships and by placing community at the heart of their work, creating places people want to live by tackling anti-social behaviour, building skills and opportunities and finding innovative ways of involving people in their local community.
www.cfmerseyside.org.uk  www.slhgroup.co.uk


Halifax Central Initiative in Halifax, Yorkshire
In partnership with the Boothtown Partnership
The Halifax Central Initiative is a neighbourhood management project based within Calderdale Council. The project works with local residents, community groups, services and organisations to support when needed. One of the key aims of the initiative is to empower the community to take part in and lead neighbourhood improvements.

The Boothtown Partnership is a local community organisation which was established to bring local people together and develop a range of activities including childrens groups and leisure facilities, particularly aimed at young people.
www.calderdale.gov.uk


Brixham Youth Enquiry Service (Y.E.S.) in Torbay, Devon
Brixham YES plays a central role in the life of Brixham and its families. It has a particular focus on young people aged 11-25, but caters for all different kinds of people and groups, offers free information and advice to young people on issues such as housing, benefits, relationships, employment, training and money.  The group have recently secured a lease on a community building which they will use as a focal point for activities. Brixham YES reaches communities through intergenerational work,  and a variety of community events, tea dances, garden resetoration projects, fun days, beach cleans and many other volunteer led activites. 
www.bxyes.org


Church Action on Poverty in Greater Manchester
In partnership with Changemakers
Church Action on Poverty is a campaigning body committed to tackling poverty in the UK. It also runs grassroots projects in local communities. Church Action on Poverty has developed a Participatory Budgeting Unit which involves people at a grassroots level in deciding how new public investment should be best spent.

‘ChangeMakers’ Manchester is a network of organisations which are being built by local people for local people in areas of the UK where people want to work together to bring about change in their communities
www.church-poverty.org.uk


Cambridgeshire ACRE in Cambridgeshire
In partnership with Young Lives
Cambridgeshire ACRE is the rural community council for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It provides practical help and support to communities throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to enable them to plan and develop as vibrant places to live and work. The council identifies what local people need and the issues that are important to them and then champions these things with those who set policy and make decisions in the county, helping to ensure that rural Cambridgeshire has a voice.

Young Lives provides a range of support services to voluntary and community organisations working with children, young people and families to help children and young people to get involved in their communities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
www.cambsacre.org.uk   www.young-lives.org.uk


Holy Trinity Community and Partnership Centre in Nottinghamshire
In partnership with Action to RE:generate Community Trust
The Holy Trinity Community and Partnership Centre is a facility built by the parish of Holy Trinity Church Newark, for the benefit of the parish, diocese and the local community. It acts as a hub for all sectors of the community hosting community events, meetings and conferences, training courses and charity events.

RE:generate is an enterprising social action charity working across the UK and internationally. It aims to relieve poverty by encouraging local people to take action and participate in public life; develop local and enterprising solutions to problems; wake up to their potential to make change happen in their lives, neighbourhoods and communities; and release the latent skills, talents and other assets that lie dormant in communities.
www.regeneratetrust.org   www.holytrinitynewark.org.uk


Blackhorse Action Group in Waltham Forest, London
The Blackhorse Action Group (BAG) is a residents’ association set up to safeguard and further the interests of people in the Blackhorse Road area of Walthamstow, London. Since its establishment in 2006 the group has campaigned on numerous local issues including protesting against the building of new tower blocks or building over green belt land. The group has also been involved in setting up a community garden and founding a local neighbourhood watch. Their philosophy is ‘whatever it takes to improve the neighbourhood and bring people together.’
www.blackhorseactiongroup.org.uk


Peckham settlement in Peckham, London
In partnership with Restore Peckham
Peckham Settlement is a community organisation based in central Peckham which provides social help to the local community. The organisation’s services change in response to local needs. They manage a remit of core activities which include running a nursery and local groups for pensioners. Peckham Settlement also provides new charities that are providing services to the local community with help to get started through the provision of offices, technical support and financial and fund-raising advice.

Local church community group, Restore Peckham places a strong emphasis on helping on various projects running in the local community.
www.peckhamsettlement.org.uk   www.restore-peckham.org


Ark Academy in Brent, Middlesex
In partnership with Citizens UK
Ark Academy is a mixed, non-denominational academy based in Brent, Middlesex which takes pupils from age 3 to 18. The Academy aims to transform the educational opportunities and aspirations of all its pupil through providing the highest quality teaching, resources and support.

Citizens UK is the largest community alliance in Britain bringing together over 150 faith congregations,schools, universities, trade unions,and community groups . The alliance works to end poverty, improve housing and community safety.
www.arkacademy.org   www.citizensuk.org


Shiregreen Community Homes with Sanctuary Housing Association in Sheffield
Shiregreen Community Homes is a resident-led organisation working to develop a local action plan to tackle the economic development of the Shiregreen estate in Sheffield.

They are part of the Santucary Housing Association which works across the country to support local people and agencies to develop the services essential to creating thriving neighbourhoods.
www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Bolton Interfaith Council in Bolton
In partnership with Unltd

Bolton Interfaith Council has identified three inner urban wards as target areas for interventions to reduce deprivation. Its aim is to support local people in making the most of their hidden talents through finding and helping good ideas to become social enterprises.

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and offers the largest such network in the world. UnLtd resources over 1,000 individuals each year through its core Awards programme. UnLtd operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding between £500 and £15,000 to ongoing advice, networking and practical support.