New Government and the Big Society
David Robinson our co-founder was one of a small and diverse group of individuals who attended a Big Society discussion with the Prime Minister and the deputy PM at No 10. David subsequently hosted a Chain Reaction Discussion Group last month to share ideas in response to the new government’s proposals. It’s too early to foresee what will happen but some things are inevitable: there will be less money, and that will mean we will need to work more collaboratively and creatively. Through Chain Reaction we are developing practical ideas for working together with business, the public sector and community organisations to deliver a fairer, stronger society. We’ve also sent a short policy briefing to government with our recommendations for the new Work Programme based on our experience in Newham. Read all our policy papers here.
Revolutionary New Funding Model
The first Social Impact Bond , hugely influenced by the thinking of our co-founder David and the Council on Social Action was launched recently. A pilot at Peterborough Prison, will provide intensive support to short term prisoners with the aim of drastically reducing re-offending rates. Social Impact Bonds are an innovative way of funding social change and one we hope to be using at Community Links soon. They can drive significant private investment to address the causes of deep rooted social problems, at the same time providing returns for investors generated from public purse savings made on acute services. David is chairing the Advisory Group which is overseeing the pilot and potential future developments.
Champions of Social Change
Our Chief Executive, Geraldine Blake, has been awarded the BITC London Marks & Spencer Sieff Award ‘for an individual, based in the community, who has best collaborated with business to benefit society,’ in Business in the Community’s 2010 Awards for Excellence.
Maeve McGoldrick co-ordinator of our Need NOT Greed campaign has been chosen as one of the UK’s European Ambassadors as part of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Frances Clarke, one of Community Links’ first and longest standing members of staff, has been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough, the highest distinction a local authority can give to an individual. Our congratulations also go to Michael Grier and Jack Petchey, both longstanding supporters of Community Links who were also awarded the honour.
Action Links
Feeling Inspired, Take to the Streets!
Run to the Beat as 12,000 runners take on the London half marathon set to music on 26th September. Starting and finishing at the O2 Arena, this 13 mile run through Greenwich has brilliant beats to help power your run. This popular run has already sold out, but Community Links have 20 places to offer supporters, so why not join us?! Download your application form online now!
Geraldine Blake
Seventeen exceptional young people and adults recently received 
An Open Day at 
The achievements of young people from 
Transition from primary to secondary school can be daunting and disadvantaged children need additional support to make this step successfully. Our new project, formerly run by Shelter, supports vulnerable children including those living in temporary accommodation, in-care or from particularly troubled family backgrounds. We provide one-to-one care, group work in schools, family support and holiday activities to help children to settle and thrive in secondary school and to prevent problems occurring later in their school career.
Whilst we rightly celebrate achievements of the young people recognised above they are achieved against very considerable challenges. We are seeing a growing problem with postcode violence in some of our projects, where young people don’t feel safe leaving their immediate area to cross between neighbourhoods. It is a serious barrier to managing their daily lives; one that most young people simply never encounter. We are working closely with schools, the police, the council and others to tackle the issues – aiming to prevent the problems arising in the first place. 