Transforming Neighbourhoods

We work in 52 local neighbourhoods in the UK, building stronger communities. Our place-based, holistic neighbourhood work brings together local people to create belonging, opportunity, and change.

Where you live and grow up in the UK determines a lot about your opportunities and life chances – your access to public services, education, employment, housing, life expectancy and much more. We work in many communities where poverty and inequality are deep rooted. We know too many families and individuals feel excluded and ignored, lacking hope that anything will change for themselves or their children. We are not content with this disparity. Together we deliver joined-up education, youth, family, church and community work, so that everyone can thrive.

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Will you help ensure no community is left behind? Become a community champion and help strengthen local neighbourhoods.

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Our model

We first began holistic work in local neighbourhoods in 2003 – though we had run housing and support work long before then. In the last twenty years we’ve learned alongside local communities, as together we’ve asked ourselves how we can create long-lasting change. Our model has developed from that on-the-ground experience. Here are some of the things we think are essential for change.

Belonging and relationship

The web of connections and relationships in a neighbourhood is the most important asset that a community has. Programmes don’t create change, people do. Belonging and acceptance are the key drivers of change that are necessary before any of us, no matter our age, can grow and develop. So, we prioritise neighbourhood presence, activities and events that help build relationship and belonging together. This is the key that unlocks the incredible potential and creativity of community.

Holistic, integrated services

Our entire social system is built to work in silos. We think this is a huge problem. We work together to create intentionally joined-up, integrated, and wraparound services, that serve local people well and create genuine opportunity. Community, faith, and voluntary sector organisations have an essential role to play in local neighbourhoods – they are well placed to understand and represent local needs and strengths, to listen, and to connect responses and people together in ways that statutory services often cannot.

Long-term commitment

Transforming neighbourhoods means persevering for the long haul. There is often a lot of immediate and emergency need that dominates, but people and communities also need long term investment for change. In our work we see the importance of social infrastructure, as well as long term relationships. That’s one reason why we have invested together in schools, churches, and community buildings, which will be there for decades and more. Education and local employment (we run 54 academies in the neighbourhoods we’re a part of) are both drivers of long-term change.

1. Belonging and relationship

Belonging and relationship

The web of connections and relationships in a neighbourhood is the most important asset that a community has. Programmes don’t create change, people do. Belonging and acceptance are the key drivers of change that are necessary before any of us, no matter our age, can grow and develop. So, we prioritise neighbourhood presence, activities and events that help build relationship and belonging together. This is the key that unlocks the incredible potential and creativity of community.

2. Holistic, integrated services

Holistic, integrated services

Our entire social system is built to work in silos. We think this is a huge problem. We work together to create intentionally joined-up, integrated, and wraparound services, that serve local people well and create genuine opportunity. Community, faith, and voluntary sector organisations have an essential role to play in local neighbourhoods – they are well placed to understand and represent local needs and strengths, to listen, and to connect responses and people together in ways that statutory services often cannot.

3. Long-term commitment

Long-term commitment

Transforming neighbourhoods means persevering for the long haul. There is often a lot of immediate and emergency need that dominates, but people and communities also need long term investment for change. In our work we see the importance of social infrastructure, as well as long term relationships. That’s one reason why we have invested together in schools, churches, and community buildings, which will be there for decades and more. Education and local employment (we run 54 academies in the neighbourhoods we’re a part of) are both drivers of long-term change.

Enrichment for all

If we want to give children the best start in life, we need to focus on enrichment — opportunities to develop and thrive outside the classroom.

However, too often, whether a child enjoys enrichment depends on postcode, school funding, or parental income. Disadvantaged young people are least likely to access high-quality enrichment – despite standing to benefit the most. We need to change this.

Find out more