Here’s the latest news, and the latest views about community investment across the UK.
The Future of Community Investment: the story so far
By Robert Sugden and Adam Chester Since 20 November, the Centre for Excellence in Community Investment has hosted four roundtable discussions on the future of community investment – in Swansea, London, Manchester, and Glasgow. And we’re still not done! Ahead of the...
Researching housing and community investment
An interview with Professor Anne Power, Head of LSE Housing and Communities
London & South East network meeting updates
Updates from the first London and South East regional network meeting.
Updates from North East regional interest group meeting
Updates from the second North East regional interest group meeting.
More than a cinema
A community cinema in Redcar and Cleveland funded by Beyond Housing is bringing local people together to enjoy films whilst teaching them about services offered by their housing association, as well as other local organisations.
Let’s dance!
For young people across Lewisham Love2Dance is more than just a streetdance programme. It has built confidence, encouraged creativity, and fostered leadership skills. Love2Dance has demonstrated the power of arts initiatives in building and connecting local communities.
Time to shine a light
How community investment can improve health and wellbeing
The power of a collective community
How C2 have connected residents and service providers, improving the wellbeing of communities.
Geographic networks update
The Centre has been busy setting up geographic networks across England. Here’s an update on what networks have been set up so far, which have held their first meetings, and which networks are soon to be established.
Updates from first North West network meeting
The first North West network meeting in Manchester brought together 32 people from 20 different housing associations across the local area. Sarah Kleuter, Centre’s Network Lead for the North West of England, told us about some of the key outcomes.
The Scottish employment scheme helping hundreds into work
Employment scheme Wheatley Works is just over a year old and already it has created nearly 800 jobs and training opportunities in Scotland’s most deprived communities. Here’s their story so far.
Jobs in a Box: Dressing up with a difference
A dressing up box that teaches primary school children about different roles in housing will soon be piloted at three primary schools in the South West. Could this be a solution to the housing sector’s recruitment problems?
One year on: Sport
Last summer, amidst the world cup frenzy, Frances Harkin wrote about the role HACT was playing in building bridges between social housing providers and sports organisations. Here we reflect on her thoughts a few months on.
One year on: Developing insight
Here we reflect on HACT Chief Executive Andrew Van Doorn’s blog in which he outlined the third pillar of the Centre for Excellence in Community investment: insight. Originally published in October 2018, his words are still relevant a year on.
One year on: Local issues, local solutions
We look back at a blog written by Ian Wardle, a member of the Great Places Commission, and Group Chief Executive at Thirteen Group, about the special role Housing Associations can play as organisations in tune with local issues, and how they can contribute to creating ‘great places’.
One year on: Financial stability
We take a look back at HACT’s head of social value James Williams wrote a blog on financial stability.
The Centre one year on: Where have we come from and where are we going?
The Centre for Community Investment is celebrating its first birthday. And after one year in operation, there is lots to shout about. Here we take a look back at some of our best blogs this year.
Left behind: understanding communities on the edge
How OCSI have developed quantitative measures to understand left behind communities
Creating great places means sharing resources and power with residents
As housing associations, we already make a difference day in day out, but could we do more to help the communities we serve?
Initial reflections on the research symposium
Thank you to everyone who attended our first research symposium event in Manchester yesterday (18 July). It was an excellent, insightful and stimulating day.
Driving community investment
Our approach to social value is simple: it’s about making a positive difference to the communities we serve.
The poverty premium
Say the term “poverty premium” to people and many won’t know what it is. But when you use the “Boots Theory” to describe it, then it makes complete sense.
Taking the first steps
I don’t think there’s ever been a more important or pressing time for housing associations to breathe life into their social purpose and step up to the community plate.
The benefits of community investment
Sovereign recently committed to triple its investment in communities. This step change in investment was won off the track record set by our work in our priority communities, and the fantastic results our employment and training service deliver.
Learning from history
The Welsh Government’s rent settlement announcement at the beginning of the year was greeted with dismay by many social housing providers in Wales. It has already resulted in many assessing cost-cutting strategies, and may result in a significant reduction in community investement activities by some Welsh housing associations.
A new funding opportunity
Last week, I attended an interesting event to showcase the Community Impact Partnership, a £3m social investment fund run by Clarion, Peabody L&Q and Orbit. The programme provides an alternative option to traditional models of funding by offering a blend of grants and loan of between £25,000 and £150,000 to community businesses, social enterprises and charities.
Our funders
The Centre for Excellence in Community Investment is supported by:
HACT
The Centre for Excellence in Community Investment is an initiative from HACT, UK housing’s ideas and innovation agency.
If you need help in developing a community investment strategy, measuring your social value or demonstrating the business case for community investment, please contact us.
Address:
49-51 East Road
London N1 6AH
