Groundwork study highlights importance of a long-term commitment to deprived communities
Long-term regeneration activity can be successfully sustained in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods provided the needs and aspirations of local people are properly recognised. This is one of the key messages to emerge from a research assessment of the Groundwork movement, a network of local Trusts carrying out renewal work in almost 50 deprived communities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The study, carried out for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, describes how Groundwork began in 1981 with the aim of bringing waste land into productive use, but has since extended its brief to all aspects of area regeneration. The types of renewal activity it has undertaken or helped to establish include skills training, job creation, daycare provision and youth work as well as environmental improvements.
Researchers Geoff Fordham of GFA Consulting and Paul Lawless of Sheffield Hallam University examined regeneration work in eight localities where Groundwork Trusts have been established. They found that:
- Groundwork had successfully intervened in some of the most difficult and disadvantaged neighbourhoods where other agencies had been reluctant to operate. Groundwork’s involvement had helped to change the way that mainstream agencies viewed neighbourhoods and delivered local services.
- Groundwork activities emphasised the need to maximise community involvement, helping local people to gain the skills they needed to participate and rebuilding confidence in the neighbourhood. Extensive ‘capacity building’ of this kind was a pre-condition for enabling residents to exert real influence over regeneration plans.
- Regeneration work often began with the removal of litter and graffiti and other improvements to the physical environment. The results delivered ‘quick wins’ that encouraged residents to get involved in longer-term community development.
- Community organisations in all eight areas had been strengthened by Groundwork’s involvement. Trusts had been particularly effective in promoting a ‘holistic’ approach, encouraging agencies to share agendas and work together.
- The scale of multi-agency activity was impressive and included most local government departments, TECs (Training and Enterprise Agencies), further education colleges, transport operators, police, local businesses, community groups, housing associations and other voluntary organisations. Groundwork was seen by its partners as particularly successful at fund raising and getting projects off the ground.
- In spite of their successes, not all Trusts were making best use of private sector expertise. A number of Trusts lacked administrative rigour, and some seemed reluctant to share their expertise or spread the word about Groundwork’s approach.
Geoff Fordham, co-author of the report said: "The extent of deprivation on many estates means that change can only be achieved in the long term. As Groundwork has recognised, it takes time to equip communities with the confidence and skills to play a proper part in planning and implementing regeneration activity. Groundwork’s experience of community-based renewal could be of great value to those policy makers in local and central government who have yet to learn that quick fixes are not the answer "
The results of the study will be launched today (Mon.) at a conference in Birmingham to mark Groundwork’s 21st birthday. The speakers include the Housing Minister, Lord Falconer, Lord Heseltine (Environment Secretary when Groundwork was established) and Lord Best, Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Lord Best said: "Numerous reports have exhorted those engaged in area regeneration to engage meaningfully with the local community. Groundwork Trusts are translating rhetoric into reality by focusing on practical opportunities for local people to play a part in planning change and then bringing about improvements to their neighbourhoods."
