Local people from all walks of life have benefited from the work of WNDC, not least through the Stronger Communities Fund which invested almost £1m in vital voluntary groups.
The fund, which was managed by Northamptonshire Community Foundation, supported a host of groups spanning sports clubs, festivals, charities and community centres. Recipients ranged from the Northampton Sea Cadets to Inspiration FM.
“Building thriving communities means more than just bricks and mortar.”
Aside from the fund, WNDC worked directly with several community groups. In 2008, the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs set its sights high, doubling the size of its Kings Park Conference and Youth Centre. Part-funded by WNDC, the centre can house 190 people, accommodating the 250 voluntary organisations that use the facility each year.
Knowing that safer communities are stronger communities, WNDC funded crime prevention measures at Brackmills - one of the region’s premier business parks. In 2008, it enabled a bigger and better CCTV network, helping to halve the crime rate in just one year. Not only did this discourage criminal behaviour, it safeguarded investment in the area.
This blend of social and commercial success was also achieved by the Construction Futures training scheme. Launched in 2009, the award winning initiative uses the planning system to secure jobs and training on construction sites. It was highly successful in the East Midlands, delivering over 3,000 weeks of training across more than 20 construction sites. In October 2013, WNDC transferred ownership to leading social enterprise Fusion21, meaning Construction Futures still lives on today and is expanding across the UK.
