PartnersMHT North Thames “The Reaching Out initiative is a shining example of how understanding the needs of communities can achieve great results.” Sir Duncan Michael, Housing Corporation Board member and Chairman of the Gold Award judging panel.
The Edmonton-based Reaching Out project encourages and supports the involvement of the local Turkish speakers in housing, community affairs, local democratic structures and the wider community.
How did it come about?
The project began in 2002 as part of the “Green Horizons” scheme. The Green Horizons was a £100-million housing regeneration programme started in 1999 by L&Q and MHT. It delivered over 800 new homes and refurbished 600 existing homes in Edmonton Green.
The area was home to a large number of Turkish and Kurdish speakers – about 10% of the local population. However, through ….., we identified that these people were or could become isolated. HOW?
A partnership was formed between MHT, L&Q, Quest Trust and London Borough of Enfield to identify the main barriers that the Turkish-speaking residents face to inclusion. This part of the project was called ‘Project Hermes’.
On the findings of this project, MHT and L&Q took the project forward to reach out the local community.
What did the project do?
The project aimed to empower local people. Exclusion can lead to isolation and reduced confidence. By bringing local people into contact with each other, and reducing exclusion, people can make mutually beneficial connections and even friends. By supporting one another and with increased confidence, local people were able to make decisions and take action individually or together.
How did it do it?
By offering a range of … able to get togethers, skills workshops, working with partners, able to prevent isolation, disengagement and marginalisation that can occur.
We invested in a range of activities and initiatives to help Turkish speaking community access services and advice and to become more active members of the wider community.(Leads on to ‘Our initiatives’, perhaps a link here?)
