Investing in our communities

This past year we have enhanced our community investment activity. Community investment is the practice of using funds to support communities and improve peoples’ quality of life.

We have recruited a specialist placemaking manager to focus on key activity such as anti-social behaviour, community benefits programmes, enhancing social value, and increasing engagement activity.

One of our most recent successful regenerations took place in Hartlepool, on Teesside. Two estates – Clarence Estate and West View Estate – had been suffering from several issues, such as wear and tear; higher levels of empty homes; anti-social behaviour and a perceived lack of staff presence within the community.

We created a specialist group to look at what was needed to restore the estates back to their more vibrant times. They devised a plan to:

• Upgrade customers’ homes
• Create a physical presence where staff were on hand for help and advice
• Work closely with police and other agencies to tackle ASB
• Provide customers with financial advice and support
• Create training opportunities with a view to gaining employment

One of the first things we did was create a community hub, which increased interaction almost overnight. The upgrading of customers’ homes on both estates also improved satisfaction and positivity.

The financial inclusion team helped customers increase their income make or make cost savings. They also helped tackle loan sharking which was prevalent on the estates.

Colleagues on the ground started to strengthen relationships with police to tackle anti-social behaviour, and work more closely with local councillors.

The outcomes from this have brought about a remarkable turnaround and returned the estates back to their once vibrant beginnings. There is pride in the communities and a togetherness that had been missing for too long.

While there is fortnightly customer drop in sessions, customers are encouraged to call when it suits them to report any issues. We also use the Hub space to meet with partner agencies including police, social services, support agencies, and the local authority.

Outcomes from the community investment activity include in Hartlepool include:

• 44% reduction in ASB
• Improved relationships with community police/social services/local authority housing team and victim support services
• Reduction of empty homes from 20% to 4%
• Improved EPC ratings – 67% of homes are now rated EPC C, compared to 24% before investment
• 100% of customers successfully placed in learning programmes, developing skills for learning, life, and work
• Employment for one apprentice (with plans for another)

One customer said: “The estate had changed over the years. There was once a waiting list, but we got to a stage where people wanted to move out. The work that has gone on has changed all that. People are pleased to move back and there is a sense of pride in the place once again, which is great.”