Foundation’s place-based approach
Supporting residents through a place-based approach to community development
Since 2023, the community development programme that we deliver through our Foundation has focused on boroughs where we have the highest number of homes. We’ve also standardised the way we assess the needs of places to ensure consistency in how we allocate grant funding.
This involves looking at levels of deprivation and unemployment alongside identifying local communities that are facing inequalities to make assessments of which areas need our support the most.
Currently we’re concentrating our efforts on Trafford in Manchester and ten London boroughs:
- Barking and Dagenham
- Bexley
- Greenwich
- Haringey
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Newham
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
This place-based approach enables us to find out the long-term needs and priorities within a community and deliver interventions, programmes and investment to improve the quality of life for local people.
Our Community Development Leads engage with communities about what matters most to them so we can provide joined-up services and build on the strengths of local places.
We build positive relationships within the local community, giving local residents and partners the opportunity to make their voices heard.
Working collaboratively with residents, community representatives and local authorities in our targeted areas, we’re able to deliver the improvements through community grants that make a real difference to quality of life, especially for disadvantaged people.
Susan Offei, Community Development Manager with the Foundation, said,
“Our place-based approach means that we make the most of awarding grants through our Community Fund. By tailoring our support in this way we’re able to deliver positive, lasting change in areas where L&Q residents live.
“We look forward to continuing our partnerships with local residents and communities to make sure that we target support where need is greatest.”
We’ve also been working with Sport England since 2021 to deliver the Get Set Go! programme in London boroughs. Through fitness activities, we’ve helped to tackle inequalities by inspiring people from diverse backgrounds to meet, get active and boost their health and wellbeing.
Our Foundation’s Community Development Leads review and assess our investment criteria on an ongoing basis to achieve the best outcomes for residents and their communities.