Together We Transform Lives

Working to make a vibrant multi-cultural and self-sustaining community

Halifax Opportunities Trust cares about people and unlocks opportunities to improve their quality of life. We work throughout Calderdale and are committed to providing vital services that support the local community. In order to deliver these services, we collaborate to provide specialist and holistic programmes. This is ultimately funded by third parties and our socially enterprising nature, with any surplus we make fed back into the charity.

We have six Service Areas that help us to deliver specialist projects and programmes.

• Children & Families
• Community & Wellbeing
• Employment
• Enterprise
• Inclusive Integration
• Learning & Apprenticeships

Together these services help around 1,700 people each day

Together We Support Children & Families

Creating warm, safe and inspirational environments that people want to raise their family in.

By providing settings that make people want their children to explore, through our Children’s Centres and Nurseries, we boost the local economy, attract inward investment and raise the aspirations of the next generation.

Halifax Opportunities Trust has developed and delivered a range of community-based services for families with young children in Central Halifax and Upper Valley Area for many years. We continue to do so, to deliver reliable services to people that need support.

Together We Improve Wellbeing

Delivering a range of programmes to promote better social interaction and wellbeing.

Being well and feeling happy and safe where we live is an aspiration that we all have. There is mounting evidence that proves living a full and active life is really important for our physical and mental health.

The programmes the Community & Wellbeing teams co-ordinate enable members of the local community to meet, learn new skills and foster a sense of wellbeing and purpose.

We have supported 300 people through our community & wellbeing programmes in 2021

Together we find meaningful work

Breaking down barriers and overcoming challenges to help job seekers move forward and gain good quality employment

The Employment team offers a bespoke service. We pride ourselves on our friendly and innovative approach and our ability to understand what local people need to achieve success – putting the job seeker at the centre of our focus.

Partnership working is a key part of our support and the Trust is proud to work with local specialist organisations, as well as other teams within the Trust, to enable a holistic service to our customers.

We have enabled 330 people to take their next step on the career ladder in 2021

Together we help businesses grow & thrive

Providing a range of work and meeting spaces that optimise productivity, inspire creativity and give that feel-good-factor

Elsie Whitely Innovation Centre and Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre are part of Halifax Opportunities Trust. As social enterprises, they are home to a range of flexible workspaces, units and meeting rooms that match most modern businesses – from start-up to seasoned pro.

Every penny we make we feed back into the business and other parts of the Trust, to ensure we’re providing the best facilities, service and support, not only to the businesses that live here but the people who live in our community.

We have helped 77 business owners establish, scale-up or hone their business in 2021

Together we empower & build independence

Offering a welcoming space to provide integration and learning support for migrant families and individuals

As the most culturally diverse neighbourhood in Calderdale, Park Ward has a long history as a welcome hub for migrant communities from across the globe to arrive, settle and flourish in Halifax and the surrounding areas.

The Inclusive Integration team provides essential support to people who are new to the country, from the Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre in Park Ward.

118 learners have completed our ESOL learning programmes in 2021

Together we guide learning journeys

Delivering Apprenticeships throughout West Yorkshire via work-based learning for careers in Education and Business

The Apprenticeships team works with a range of employers to give learners the freedom to learn, work and earn, in a career path that suits them.

With specialist Apprenticeships in early years, teaching assistants and business administration, the Learning team provides high quality training so learners can gain nationally recognised qualifications, while working in a real work setting.

50 Apprentices have gained Qualifications in 2021