Calderdale-based charity announced as finalist in national community awards, in Bringing Communities Together category
Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT) is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for a Locality Award in the category of Bringing Communities Together. The prestigious Awards will take place on 8th November 2022, on the last day of the Locality Convention, at Sheffield City Hall.
Teams at the Trust have worked hard over the past twelve months to re-establish relationships with community groups that were impacted by the pandemic, as well as build links with partners to restore community support and engagement activities. The shortlist acknowledges this activity and the Trust’s dedication to the local community.
Alison Haskins, HOT CEO, comments; “It’s incredible news to have been shortlisted for this award. Bringing Communities Together is an integral part of what we do and has played a crucial role in upholding social bonds within Park Ward, over these challenging couple of years.
We feel humbled for this work to be recognised by a membership network that supports local community organisations across the country.”
HOT puts people at the centre of everything it does and is a community focussed charity. The Trust works with people to understand their aspirations and helps them along the way, reaching around 1700 people each day. HOT creates opportunities for; finding meaningful work, leading fuller lives, raising families, growing a business, integrating into the community and gaining new skills.
Over the past 12 months HOT has worked with the community to deliver:
- 1500 free meals through the Tuesday Takeaway at the Outback Community Kitchen and Garden
- Funding for 800 local people to participate in community projects, through its micro-commissioning work
- Special Educational Needs CPD Training to 62 learners
- Support for 120 migrants with Inclusive Integration programmes
- Sustainable employment opportunities for 75 local people
- High quality workspaces that enable 300 jobs in Calderdale
- Parenting advice and skills to over 24 families
With over 20 years in operation, HOT has grown to become one of the largest charities in West Yorkshire through grassroots initiatives and a strong focus on its important role as a community anchor in the Park ward neighbourhood and beyond. Through the relationships built, the Trust is able to truly understand the prevalent issues of local people and the ways it can address them. Something the Award shortlist has identified.
The Locality Awards celebrate the most dedicated and inspiring people and organisations in the Locality network. They step in when others look away, they fill a need that’s not being met, and create spaces at the heart of our communities where lives are transformed.
Locality is a national membership network supporting local community organisations to be strong and successful. It offers specialist advice, peer-learning, resources and campaigns to help every community thrive, with a belief that when communities come together, they can transform lives and build a fairer society.
We won an award in 2018, for more information click here