New awards to honour community regeneration workers launched

Local people who are actively involved in the regeneration of disadvantaged communities were honoured today at a new awards ceremony hosted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The inaugural New Deal for Communities (NDC) Achievement Awards took place in Birmingham, where Jeff Rooker, Minister for Regeneration, congratulated the winners on their outstanding contributions to the rejuvenation of their neighbourhoods.

The awards recognise all the groups who are making this happen in NDC areas, including young residents, local businesses and councils. The winners' achievements included:

• Tackling health inequalities by improving access to fresh, healthy food;
• Working with young people to provide sporting and social opportunities;
• Collaborating with the local police force to target and reduce high crime;
• Transforming derelict sites into desirable properties for local people;
• Supporting local businesses, to help them flourish in NDC areas;
• Organising a multicultural festival to promote social cohesion.

Bradford Trident won the prestigious NDC Partnership of the Year Award, in recognition of its innovative approach and commitment to partnership working, which enabled it to make a difference from an early stage, both to the NDC area and the wider neighbourhood.

Sussex Police, meanwhile, won the Mainstreaming Award for their work with the East Brighton NDC partnership, EB4U. As well as establishing a range of community safety initiatives in the NDC area, this work has benefited the wider community.

Presenting the awards, Mr Rooker said: "New Deal for Communities is one of the Government's most innovative, long term projects, tackling some of the country's toughest regeneration challenges.

“These awards recognise the dedication of a whole range of people in NDC partnerships in every region who are working together to make a real difference to their communities.”

The Government's £2 billion New Deal for Communities programme empowers residents to improve their local areas and deliver lasting change.

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