An important part of West Lakes Renaissance’s work is to help create sustainable communities – communities that will survive and thrive well into the future.
Tackling Worklessness
Our Sustainable Communities Programme has a vital role to play in tackling worklessness. Through intervention we are able to create job opportunities during the construction phase of our major projects; while at the same time helping to tackle the shortage of skilled trades people within the construction industry. This is being achieved through the
Local Labour in Construction Programme, which was officially launched in February, 2008. The launch followed a hugely successful pilot project, which saw the programme overachieve in its targets for helping people to secure employment. Early indications show that jobs supported by the LLIC wage subsidy are proving to be sustainable beyond that subsidy.
West Lakes Renaissance is also supporting the development of the Into Work consortium – which currently consists of the Phoenix Enterprise Centre, Routes to Work, and West Cumbria Trades Hall Centre for the Unemployed. These organisations have committed to delivering consistent, high quality and tailor made information, advice and guidance to people experiencing a number of barriers in gaining employment.
We have also worked with partners to develop a worklessness action plan, which has highlighted the need for targeted intervention in south Workington and south Whitehaven
Making the most of European funding
The European Regional Development Fund, together with funding from West Lakes Renaissance, has supported seventeen projects across the West Cumbria priority 2 wards. These aim to provide long term benefits to individuals and communities through job creation initiatives and enterprise support.
One such scheme is the Enterprise Development Workers Project – a joint venture between West Lakes Renaissance, Allerdale and Copeland borough councils. The project encourages the concept of self employment and is a direct approach to increasing the number of new business start ups across West Cumbria.
In addition the fund has also supported the Retail Upskilling Project. Routes to Work, in conjunction with other partners such as Employment Support project, Trades Hall and Phoenix Enterprise Centre; have developed a project to engage with economically inactive residents and develop structures to enable them to take advantage of employment opportunities arising from the re-development of the Workington town centre.
For information on either of these projects or others that were supported through the West Cumbrian Action Plan contact Nik Hardy on 01946 693241
Improving community environments
Over the next year a major regeneration project under the Sustainable Communities commitment will breathe new life into Moorclose, Northside and Westfield Estate areas of Workington – three coal mining communities in need of a new lease of life.
On the Westfield Estate a raft of work will take place to improve existing homes and create new affordable homes for local people. In Grasmere Avenue modern bungalows for older people to rent will be built; together with affordable homes and modernisation work to existing homes. Affordable home will also be built on Casson Road, while some properties in Needham Drive will be modernised.
Funds will be targeted at Moorclose shopping area. The work will revitalise the existing poor quality shopping area, provide better access for residents and transform the appeal of this important area of the estate.
The isolated housing estate of Northside will see funding channelled into the area of the former community centre – which has fallen into disrepair and is in need of complete demolition. It will be replaced by a brand new community facility for residents of all ages, which will be both functional and appealing both now and well into the future.
