Part of the government’s strategy for neighbourhood renewal and within the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (qv), the community chests are to stimulate and support community activity in deprived areas so that people become more involved in the regeneration of where they live.
The government’s New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal: A National Strategy Action Plan aimed to ensure that in 10-20 years no one would be seriously deprived by where they live and that community participation should be a key part of the plan.
The community chests can be used to fund local work like parent and toddler groups, children’s playgroups, sports, youth and social clubs, residents’ associations, black and ethnic minority community groups, women’s and victim support groups, and activity-based groups like art, drama or music societies.
The programme is spending £50 million over three years by using fairly modest sums as top-up money to back community activities in the 88 most deprived local authority areas.
Telephone: 0207 944 4400
Website: www.neighbourhood.gov.uk
Other UK equivalents: Communities First (Wales)