A lot of the valuable work delivered by Halifax Opportunities Trust is only possible because of the strong links we have with the Park Ward community and through the relationships we have built in the past two decades. The connections we have forged, both with partner organisations and the residents of Calderdale, help us to understand the prevalent issues for local people and the ways we can address them.

Throughout 2022, our teams have worked incredibly hard to re-establish relationships with community groups that were impacted by the pandemic, as well as build links with partners to restore community support and engagement activities.

This activity has become a crucial element to the work of HOT, as the cost of living crisis becomes impactful to the community groups and individuals we work with. Many teams throughout the Trust have collaborated and further partnered with a range of organisations to deliver specialist interventions for issues like debt and mental health.

Micro-commissioning panel

Over the last twelve months the Staying Well team has been responsible for the micro-commissioning process of community funds. This work involves partners across central Halifax coming together every six weeks to discuss funding opportunities for small community groups.

This is a result of the successful work of our teams across all localities, including the Central Halifax HUB, which covers four wards; Park, Sowerby Bridge, Skircoat and Town.

To ensure this is effective, representatives of each ward come together as a panel and make decisions on all applications submitted. The panellists live and work in the respective areas, with the knowledge and expertise of what local provisions are available within these wards.

Funding streams

The team has been allocated three separate streams of funds, these are:

• Staying Well community funds – Creating new opportunities or developing existing community provision to reduce loneliness and isolation.
• VAC/SWYFT funds – Reduce risk of service closure for most vulnerable groups experiencing impact of COVID and limited funding.
• Active Calderdale – Provide new opportunities in priority communities and embed physical activity to improve health and wellbeing of local residents.

Through the work of the Staying Well team, ten local community groups have been able to access funds to reduce loneliness and isolation, reduce risk of service closure for the most vulnerable groups and embed physical activity.

To learn more about the Staying Well project and the initiatives the team is involved with, please head click on the button below: