 
The Neighbourhood Support Fund
Method(s) Used
Name of person who posted the project:Dominic Potter
Location of project:United Kingdom
Date when the project started:2000
Date when the project ended/project ongoing:2006
Background to project:The Neighbourhood Support Fund (NSF), a Department for Education and Skills (DfES)-funded programme, helped young people not in education, training or employment. It ran between 2000 and 2006 and was designed on the community development principle of building greater long-term capacity of community organisations as well as providing immediate benefits to the 50,000 young people who passed through the programme.Purpose of project:Largely designed and managed by the Community Development Foundation, NSF was structured on the principle that medium-sized community-based organisations, not necessarily with any specific remit for youth work, could become effective stepping stones to get young people at risk back on a positive path by involving them in purposeful activity close to where they lived. Another important principle was building the capacity of the community organisations to expand their interface with young people.Project activities:The organisations involved in the scheme were given enough resources to employ an extra worker, some near-at-hand help from a local VCS intermediary body, and guidance and sympathetic evaluation from the funding body.Project results:520 projects were funded for three years, and 131 of the most effective for a further year. In addition to helping the young people many of the organisations mobilised many new volunteers, created new community activities and expanded their future plans to reach young people. Some also brought young people into the planning and management of the organisation itself.The Neighbourhood Support Fund achieved the goals set by the sponsoring department, the Department for Education and Skills.The funded groups worked with young people at risk, and their life chances improved. By doing this work in a community setting, organisations can bring in young people in a gradual and on-threatening manner, and young people can develop at their own pace.Additionally, the projects are embedded in a larger organisation and further networks, providing opportunities for development, action and involvement of young people beyond youth activities. Contact details:Community Development FoundationHeadquarters Tel: 020 7833 1772 |
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