Halifax Opportunities Trust Celebrates 21st anniversary with community garden party
Calderdale-based community charity reaches milestone anniversary and reveals plans for community-wide celebrations
Halifax, West Yorkshire: Local charity, Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT), recently launched its 21st birthday celebrations and continues the festivities with a Community Celebration held at the Outback Community Kitchen and Garden, Lightowler Rd, Halifax HX1 5NB, on 15th June 2023, from 1pm – 4pm.
With delicious home cooked and healthy food prepared by the Outback’s kitchen team and live entertainment that everyone can get involved with, the event is truly a community celebration that not only marks HOT’s milestone anniversary but the community spirit, which Calderdale has in abundance. From a children’s treasure hunt to party themed activities, garden games to honey tasting, the event is sure to be a hive of activity for all. And, with stalls from community partners like Overgate hospice and 51st Pellon Scout Group, as well as from HOT’s delivery teams, there’s something for everyone.
The local-charity and community anchor invites all in the Halifax community to its garden party that aims to celebrate all things HOT with a wide range of activities, including:
- Community partner stalls
- Beekeeping demos and honey tasting
- Delicious food cooked by the Outback team
- Sensory stall
- Garden Games
- Children’s treasure hunt and fun activities
- Live entertainment
The Celebrations will bring together individuals, families and businesses to recognise the impactful work that takes place at HOT, within one of the charity’s key delivery sites.
Alison Haskins, CEO of Halifax Opportunities Trust, comments: “In 21 years Halifax Opportunities Trust has become a well-respected community anchor in Calderdale and has stayed firmly rooted within Park ward. While we have evolved and our ambitions may have changed since official operations began, our purpose has remained the same – to create a vibrant, multicultural and self-sustaining community.
“We’re so proud of how far we have come over the past two decades. From a team of just 14 in 2002 to 180 in 2023 we have truly ‘grown-up’ and, as we embark on our journey into the future, the important connections and knowledge we have gained along the way will be instrumental in continuing to create opportunities for the people of Calderdale.”
While HOT has grown to deliver services throughout Halifax and Calderdale, many of its operations remain based at its flagship site, Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre. Staying true to its roots in Park ward, the Community Celebration will acknowledge the importance of place-based delivery and reinforce its role as a recognised community anchor in the area.
Revd Canon Hilary Barber, HOT’s Chair of Trustees, adds: “HOT has grown in many ways. Our work has diversified to meet community needs and respond to many local, national and global challenges. We couldn’t have done this without our employees, volunteers and Trustees.
“We’re delighted that many of our staff, volunteers and board members have grown with us – some since the very start. Our birthday is the perfect way to recognise the work of our teams and the individuals who have shown their commitment to the charity over the past 21 years, helping us to build a thriving community together.”
Halifax Opportunities Trust officially began operating in April 2002, continuing the legacy of the West Central Halifax Partnership, making this year the Trust’s official 21st birthday. It first set out to ‘fly the flag for regeneration’ with the ultimate goal of bringing positive change in Halifax. Today the Trust’s six delivery areas aim to do just that, creating opportunities for a better life and future, reaching around 1,700 people each day.
Join Halifax Opportunities Trust and celebrate Creating Opportunities for 21 years. Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-celebration-21-year-of-halifax-opportunities-trust-tickets-619107345737
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More information about Halifax Opportunities Trust
Halifax Opportunities Trust believes every person has the power and potential to thrive and play a part in building a stronger, healthier and happier community. We work with people to understand their aspirations and help them along the way, at any point of their journey. We create opportunities for a better life.
Learn more about our 21st Birthday celebrations
As well as the information from our archives and the contributions our connections are kindly providing to tell our story, we have lots of other things planned. Learn more on our official webpage, via the button below.