Tags: active communities

Street Factory - Hip Hop Into the Lights

Street Factory’s Hip Hop Into the Lights project set up an accessible and affordable community hip hop/dance theatre company for local people in a dock-side area of Plymouth where there…

CYCD - Women's empowerment

WHISH - Looking to the future

The Looking to the Future project organised by Whitby Hidden Impairments Support and Help (WHISH) a parent led support group working with families whose children have hidden impairments . It…

Artistic Spectrum: Creativity and wellbeing

“Thorne, in Doncaster, is an ex-mining community so a lot of things have been lost, but so many people here are creative and good with their hands. They need a…

Willow Tree: Skills and safety

We have a big county lines issue here [the transportation of drugs across county borders]. People with a learning disability are often used as runners because the gangs know that…

Khalsa Youth Football Academy - Connecting Hope

A training session might include skills such as kicking, striking, dexterity and mobility. You might have a child who finds it hard to even go into a building and we…

Scoonie Sunshine Club

Scoonie Sunshine Club runs a bus for people with mobility issues and older people, providing them with essential transport in an area where services have been cut and accessibility is…

MyBUS - Community Transport

But the effect on people is massive, and it really helps to build the community amongst members. People that come for the lunch club support each other, so they’ll notice…

Assessing the impact of participation in People's Health Trust's programmes: Wave 3

Social Life are independently evaluating People’s Health Trust’s Local Conversations and Active Communities programmes. This third wave of the research was published in September 2023. 272 participants from Local Conversations…

SNaP Youth Service - back to school

“We started the organisation in 2004, developing and delivering programmes that meet the needs of young people, so for example if they need to learn about healthy eating, or they’re…

SNaP Youth Service

SNaP Youth Services runs after school clubs for children in years six seven (aged 10 to 12), providing them with a space to come after school and dealing sensitively with…

Language for Change

Language for Change provides support for migrants and refugees in Greenwich to learn English and advocate for change for social issues affecting them. The project provides free weekly English as…

Language for Change: Community advocacy through English lessons

We also run ESOL for Work which helps with things like CV writing and cover letter writing. Sometimes basic things around interviewing or the kinds of questions you should expect…

Refugee Roots: Building skills, confidence and connections

At first I didn’t know a lot of people and I’ve made a lot of friends going to the classes. The teachers especially, but also a lot of different people…

New report on Community agency, control and wellbeing

People’s Health Trust has co-funded a new report published today by What Works Centre for Wellbeing on community agency, control and wellbeing. Commissioned by What Works Centre for Wellbeing the…

LGBTQ+ Youth Groups in Fenland: Cost of living affecting members and staff

Since the cost of living crisis we have created a free shop in our office that’s a clothing swap and a place to access food. We’ve seen the amount of…

Wings Great Yarmouth: Expression through arts

An artist came in who helped us draw pieces inspired by our stories, our emotions – not necessarily in the negative but in the positive feelings of having worked through…

Wings Great Yarmouth

Wings Great Yarmouth provides an opportunity for people with experienced traumatic sexual harassment and intimidation to support one another through discussion and the creation of art. It will provide fortnightly…

Newport People First: removing barriers

“Growing up, I felt like an oddball in my family and at school. It wasn’t until I heard about Newport People First and started attending meetings that I was diagnosed…

Pebble in My Pocket: Community for isolated women

After meeting in the café we go over to the library to enjoy the crafts session, and by that point everybody's buzzing. We do all sorts of craft projects. Sewing…

Pebble in My Pocket

Pebble in my Pocket supports isolated women aged 50+ to meet up to socialise and for arts and crafts sessions in Corby The group is made up of local women…

Youth Wellbeing Out of Covid

Youth Wellbeing Out of Covid supports young people from African backgrounds in communities in North Lanarkshire through teaching music and providing a space for people to socialise. Following the Covid-19…

Youth Wellbeing Out of Covid: Music helps young people's mental health

We have normal day-to-day conversations. They may come up to us and say things like they used to have packed lunches or snacks after school but not anymore, and instead…

Getting Outdoors

Getting Outdoors supports people affected by drug and alcohol use, including people who feel isolated or who feel stigmatised by attitudes towards them. Through weekly sessions the group comes together…

Disabled Women Take Action: supporting change for disabled women

We decided we needed to influence the counselling process at an early stage. We started approaching universities to go and talk to students who are being trained in psychology and…

Getting Outdoors: Providing a purpose

When I was over in Colerain, we only had ad hoc heat. There was an open fire in one room only, and so a lot of the time I was…

LGBTQ+ Youth Groups in Fenland

LGBTQ+ Youth Groups in Fenland supports young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity in the Wisbech and March areas…

LGBTQ+ Youth Groups in Fenland: Making a difference

A lot of members socialise outside of group time, but what’s lovely is that although they’ve created friendship groups, all of them still come to our group sessions every…

Gardening for Dementia: Transforming people

Another woman who came along wasn’t very vocal at all. She was joining one of our planting groups, and as soon as we gave her the tools, her muscle memory…

New funding available for local groups in parts of East England

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just opened Active Communities…

Bristol Active Women Walk and Talk: Welcoming Walks

"All my life I’ve been a swimmer. I swam for Sudan and it’s always been my passion. During the Covid-19 pandemic when pools were shut, I met with Maggy, the…

Support U: Creating a community

Support U provides counselling but what’s just as important is the community we’ve created. A friend once texted our group chat at 3am to say they needed someone to talk…

New funding available for local groups in parts of East Midlands

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

A conversation with CAHN: Meeting the health needs of Caribbean and African communities

Black and minoritised ethnic communities who live in low income households face the worst health prospects in Great Britain, with lower life expectancy and higher rates of long term illness…

StereoHype Social

StereoHype Social brings together racially and culturally diverse creatives in Birmingham who have lived experience of mental health to make friends, share experiences and create artistic work challenging stigma. Workshops…

StereoHype Social: Music changes mental health

We recently we’re put on a show called Let Freedom Ring which was directed to show a journey of progression to reflect the experience of the artists and also the…

Wigan Caribbean and African Community Support Group

This project supports Caribbean and African communities in Greater Manchester to come together to discuss essential issues affecting their health and well-being. Delivering fortnightly forums, the support group brings together…

Armchair Adventures: Fighting Prejudice With Poetry

Pauline Omoboye is no stranger to the arts. The 64-year-old boasts an extensive background of printed poetry, paintings and is even a published author of the book, Purple Mother. A…

Armchair Adventures

Armchair Adventures was born during Covid-19 for people over 65 who were affected by the isolation of lockdown, to help rebuild social connections. They get together each week to…

Positive About Deafness: Changing lives in Wigan

“In Wigan and Leigh there was no way for deaf children to meet, no place for them to form connections or community. You could grow up in an area, go…

Positive About Deafness

Positive About Deafness continues the work of Wigan and Leigh Deaf Children’s Society to support deaf and sensory impaired children with a schedule of regular activities, as well as…

New funding available for local groups in parts of North West England

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

Street Factory: Everyone needs support

"None of us were prepared to Covid-19. It was difficult supporting people who were already struggling. We were helping people with declining mental health, those thinking about suicide, and people…

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Young Carers: friendship and education

"When I first met Peter he told me his story. From 17 years old, he was responsible for the care of his mum, who suffers from a long-term physical health…

Brackenwood Community Association Highwood Community Café

Residents of Brackenwood estate previously had few places to meet one another, and many felt isolated. BCA Highwood Community Café provides a space where residents can socialise, eat, or learn…

BCA Community Café: Keeping costs low in a crisis

“The project was initially set up in March 2021 with the aim to continue the community café which was set up during the first lockdown to provide affordable food for…

New funding available for local groups in parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

New funding available for local groups in parts of Enfield, Gravesham, Hackney and Southwark

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

Church Street Football and Muay Thai

There are very few play areas in the Church Street neighourhood and the ward is densely populated. There is only one football pitch which people have to pay between £30…

London Tigers: Community projects improve wellbeing

“London Tigers started to run community projects to provide formative pathways for children and young people from Black and Minority Ethnic, including people from South Asian, and Arabic speaking backgrounds…

Southall Bangladeshi Families engagement

The overall aims of the project are to support newly arrived Bangladeshi families to become more active and connected with the local community, though taking part in activities that connect…

Pride in Mind

Participants have control over the project and at the monthly meetings, members plan future social activities. The meetings are also a safe space to share their mental health concerns and…

Young Again: Affordability is the biggest barrier

"The Pakistan Association Huddersfield took a group of 53 older people and their carers facing social isolation on a coach day trip to Llandudno, North Wales in June 2022. The…

New funding available for local groups in parts of London West

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

Maymessy Mentorship

The project offers the opportunity for the women to get together with others in a similar situation and with similar interests in food and to build friendships, support each other…

Building Happy, Integrated, Healthy Communities

Aber and Blaengwynfi are twin villages in the Afan valley in Wales with a population of around 1,300. Due to its rural location residents have faced issues with social isolation,…

Assessing the impact of participation in People’s Health Trust’s programmes: Wave 2

Social Life are independently evaluating People’s Health Trust’s Local Conversations and Active Communities programmes. This second wave of the research was published in January 2023. 271 participants from Local Conversations…

Assessing the impact of participation in People’s Health Trust’s programmes: Wave 1

Social Life are independently evaluating People’s Health Trust’s Local Conversations and Active Communities programmes. This first wave of the research was published in May 2022.

New funding available for local groups in parts of Yorkshire

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

Honley Youth

Honley is a small village in West Yorkshire with pockets of low-income neighbourhoods. Honley Youth is a free to use youth club that all young people can access and contribute…

Puddle Ducks - parents and tots group

Puddle Ducks - parents and tots group aimed to reduce social isolation experienced by parents of pre-school children and increase confidence and wellbeing. Participants can also shape the project by…

Bristol Active Women – Walk and Talk

The outdoor activities are designed to support mental health and wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and build confidence, especially following the Covid-19 lockdowns when many people have been isolated. The sessions…

IgniteYou Dance INC

IgniteYou Dance INC was started by two dance teachers who recognised a need for accessible dance classes and workshops in the local area. During the first Covid-19 pandemic they project…

New funding available for local groups in parts of North East and Cumbria

Local groups with great ideas to make their communities an even better place to live are now invited to apply for funding. People’s Health Trust has just launched Active Communities…

Needlecraft International Project

The project builds confidence and perseverance and supports the participants to develop a skill that they can teach others, and that allows them to produce items to sell or give…

Mums SOCIAL

The aim is to bring new and expectant mothers together to connect, share experiences, provide support and reassurance, develop friendships and improve mental wellbeing. Becoming a mum is a new…

Community Activators

In Hebburn, there is a lack of community activities to keep young people busy and socially connected. A local resident used their background in outdoor activities to design a programme…

New funding available for local groups in parts of South West England

People's Health Trust is an independent charity investing in local communities to help create a society without health inequalities. It works closely with 12 Community Interest Companies raising money through…

Get Set Youth

Yellow Door, who provide information, advice, support and advocacy services to young people, identified a need to support young people’s social networks and wellbeing and to reduce the risk of…

Healthy Active Lives

The Derby West Indian Community Association ran the project, with the aim of providing support to people in local wards that are poorer than average and where life expectancies are…

Moving On

The Moving On project was organised by an independent volunteer-run charity, the Rainbow Sunshine Company. There was a wide age range in the group, which included young adults and people…

The Northgate Project

The Northgate Project was an activity-based self-help group for people in the Northgate ward in Canterbury. Many members were (or had been) feeling suicidal and some were living with conditions…

Together We Can

Some local members became volunteers – taking ownership of the centre by making cakes and serving in the café, helping with the garden, or welcoming new members. Purposeful activity like…

Foster Garden

The project was set up by Keighley Urban Meadows, a community group promoting the shared ownership of the local environment. The aim was to create social links within the neighbourhood,…

RIG Arts

Creative workshops are based around waste reduction and include sewing, repair, reuse, upcycling, and sustainable crafts. Participants and the community are supported to become more resilient through supported engagement and…

Tenants Voice - Shieldfield

Rising rents, falling wages and unstable local economies all contribute to housing difficulties which lead to both short and long-term health issues. 8.5 million renters experience stress or anxiety and…

Route 23

Route 23 is a coffee shop named after the bus route serving Spring Lane area of Canterbury where the project operates. The café is open to all residents and is…

LGBT+ Service Nottinghamshire

LGBT+ young people are often socially isolated. Some project participants aren’t attending school, some are too anxious to socialise and lack confidence. The Centre Place gives young people the control…

Aaina Community Hub

A lot of the women that usually attend Aaina Community Hub have experienced multiple challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, families living in multi-occupancy households who were unable to…

Glenburn My Life My Choice Project

Easthall Residents Association in Glasgow has received funding three times from People’s Health Trust using money raised through The Health Lottery over a period of eight years. An investment totalling…

Promoting Roles of Father Figures

Stronger social connections helps build confidence, increase skills, and have a greater sense of purpose and hope, which we know are important first steps in being able to address other…

Tang Hall Food Co-operative

Locally-owned shops where people can buy affordable, healthy food and keep local wealth more equitably within communities is an important part of addressing local health inequalities. The Tang Hall Food…

Café Chat

The provision of mental health services on the island was limited, as was access to those services due to geographical distance. Café Chat provided a weekly meetup in Broadford on…

Second Stitch at Home

The project also encourages members to be actively involved and to undertake additional work in their own time, helping them develop a wide variety of sewing skills and techniques to…

Happy Together

Many older people within the Chinese community find that language and cultural barriers can prevent them from developing their social networks and making friends. By developing a group based around…

Arty-Folks Peer Empowerment Group

Our life circumstances can determine our mental health and create health inequalities. There is not enough provision in the local community in Coventry for people who are living with mental…

Autism Recreational and Support Activities with The Engine Shed

Research from the National Autistic Society shows that people with autism are four times more likely to feel isolated than members of the general public. For autistic adults, their sense…

Derby Refugee Befriending Project

Migrating to Great Britain as a refugee or asylum seeker can be an incredibly isolating experience. We know that creating opportunities to reduce isolation can have a big impact on…

Young Again

It’s often presumed that South Asian people look after and live with their elderly relatives. However, as people relocate for work, traditional structures and family ties are loosening. This can…

The Gorton Takeover - Reform Radio

This two-year project delivered weekly dance, art, radio and digital skills sessions for unemployed young adults and their children living in Gorton, an inner-city area of Manchester. Education, skills and…

Curating the Mind

For many Filipino people living in East London, it can feel lonely being isolated from their families and can sometimes feel overwhelming financially supporting their family back home. Home can…

Proud2Be Rural Outreach Project

LGBTQ+ people remain at increased risk of mental ill health due to a range of factors including discrimination and isolation. When people feel unfair shame or stigma, they become more…

Butetown Employment Action Team (BEAT)

Income, employment and working conditions have a huge impact on our health. Having a good job can protect health by giving people stability, financial security and the ability to enjoy…

Bridgend Inspiring Growth

Since it started, the members of the local community have taken control of every aspect of the project, buying the building from the local council using community raised funds, and…

Lee Gardens Pool: Learning Together

Penrhiwceiber had the highest child poverty rates across Wales in 2017/18 with 49.4% of children living in poverty. Health inequalities in Wales mean that people living in neighbourhoods experiencing the…

Our Roots in the Community

The group runs weekly activity sessions which are based around football and, once a month, the young people take part in a series of training workshops designed to build skills…

Welcome Women

Many of the people involved with the project are older women, migrants, refugees, or from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. A lot of them do not speak English as…

Stainforth Outdoor Activity Project

Stainforth has a proud mining heritage and the community experienced high levels of job losses and economic issues when the coal mining industry was wiped out in the 1970’s and…

Ashiana Group

Race Equality First (REF) was established in 1976 the same year that new legislation under the Race Relations Act was introduced. The organisation spearheaded campaigns to tackle racial discrimination and…

The Castle & Beyond - Our Voice, Our Community

A number of groups and activities have been set up such as a teen’s social group, a family friendly play session, drop-in support sessions and arts and crafts activities. The…

#AbilitiesNotDisabilities

The project was set up by existing participants who had an interest in design and wanted to create a business. As more members have joined, the project has grown and…

Touchbase Care CIC

Members come together to tackle isolation and build self-esteem and wellbeing. The project aims to tackle the inadequate representation of people with disabilities in the performing arts, showcase member’s creative…

Sunderland and South Tyneside Centre For People Of African Heritage

This project, provided by African Caribbean Community Association, supports members to increase their employability through one-to-one peer support where people can learn digital and computer skills, how to apply for…

Our Town

The Our Town project from Artistic Spectrum has a huge range of contributors aged 16 to 64 with a massive range of artistic talents from sculpting to painting. Through creative…

Refugee Roots

The group originally grew out of work with the community and participants have regular opportunities to shape the project’s ongoing development. The aim of the work is to enable people…

Heart of Portsmouth Amateur Boxing Academy

The Heart of Portsmouth Amateur Boxing Club provides a pathway for people in their neighbourhood to progress in their own journey, whether that be building confidence, becoming a coach or…

Covid-Connect

Sunbeams London established the project as a direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising mental health issues that were evident in young girls who have faced bereavement and…

Unity Youth Projects

The Fort was born from a neighbouring youth centre which offered activities for young people with additional needs. This focus was carried over, and having accessibility and inclusion as priorities…

Together We Can evaluation case study

The project was funded, through Health Lottery Wales, as part of People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme. The project was evaluated by Ecorys as part of the independent evaluation of…

Healthy Active Lives project evaluation

The project was evaluated by Ecorys as part of the 2018-2019 independent evaluation of the Active Communities programme. The evaluation drew on project visits in the spring and summer of…

Moving On project evaluation

The project was funded, through Health Lottery West Midlands, as part of People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme. The project was evaluated by Ecorys as part of the independent evaluation…

The Northgate project evaluation

Individual and collective action and control Outcomes: Control over project activities;Collective decision-making;Acting on local issues. TakeOff is a peer-led organisation, and project leaders involved local people in shaping the project…

Motherwell Cheshire CIO: Believe

Motherwell provides specialist support services for mothers with children who have been placed into care, or children at risk of being placed into care. The charity works with these women…

Keighley Urban Meadows: Foster Garden project evaluation

The project was funded with money raised through Health Lottery Yorkshire and Humber, as part of People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme. The project was evaluated by Ecorys as part…

Exploring Senses CIC

Exploring Senses CIC and their ‘MakerLab’ project delivered weekly MakerLab sessions for young people aged 8 to 19 on Thursday afternoons in Brighton, at the youth club of the local…

Get Set Youth project evaluation

The project was funded, through Health Lottery East, as part of People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme. The project was evaluated by Ecorys as part of the independent evaluation of…

CounsellingCare: Café Chat project

Project evaluation The project was funded with money raised from Health Lottery Scotland, as part of People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme. The project was evaluated by Ecorys as part…

Borderlands: Drop in project

The drop-in centre offered refugees and asylum seekers access to food, warmth, English classes, information and signposting to other services. It brought together participants from over 50 countries, many of…

Armenian Mental Wellbeing Project, Centre for Armenian Information & Advice

One resident, Amanda, came from a background of abuse. She had social phobias and a lack of trust in others. Amanda felt safe within the group and became increasingly confident…

Active Communities programme evaluation 2020

About the evaluation Ecorys UK independently evaluated the Active Communities programme’s theory of change and its impact from 2016 to 2020. The third and final year of the Active Communities…

Ethical Lettings Campaign

ACORN (Association of Community Organisations for Reform Now), supports members to deliver campaigns to address local housing issues. Its Ethical Lettings Campaign in Bristol enabled members to build power and…

Stitches, Knots and Sails - METcic

Stitches, Knots and Sails, run by METcic (Medway English Training Community Interest Company), based in Medway, Kent was funded by the Trust through the Active Communities programme for two years.…

Women Sharing Cornwall

Women Sharing Cornwall is a self-help group for women in St Austell who are experiencing mental health issues. The two-year project, funded by People’s Health Trust, involved weekly activities and…

P4YP Activity Roadshow

“With those who are vulnerable, having the added confidence can spread at school and the community.” (Project staff) Based in Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Positive 4 Young People (P4YP) is a…

Molokai Village

This case study was carried out by Ecorys UK, who are conducting an independent evaluation of People's Health Trust's Active Communities programme. This case study formed part of the second…

Marsh Farm Makeover

Futures Community Voice is a group of local residents in Luton who come together to discuss issues and concerns about where they live and how they can improve the area.…

Active Communities programme evaluation 2018

About the evaluation Ecorys UK independently evaluated the Active Communities programme’s theory of change and its impact from 2016 to 2020. This second year Active Communities evaluation was published in…

Active Communities programme evaluation 2016

About the evaluation Ecorys UK independently evaluated the Active Communities programme’s theory of change and its impact from 2016 to 2020. This first year Active Communities evaluation was published in…