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Being determined

Priya Thamotheram, Head of Centre, Highfields Community Association Highfields Centre, 96 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DS Tel: 0116 253 1053; Email: priya.thamotheram@highfieldscentre.ac.uk www.highfieldscentre.ac.uk. Being determined. A near 14 year journey

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Being determined

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  1. Priya Thamotheram, Head of Centre, Highfields Community AssociationHighfields Centre, 96 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DSTel: 0116 253 1053; Email: priya.thamotheram@highfieldscentre.ac.ukwww.highfieldscentre.ac.uk

  2. Being determined • A near 14 year journey • First funding application in December 1996 • Raising £5m from Sport England, Learning & Skills Council, East Midlands Development Agency and Government Office East Midlands • Formal agreement in May 2001 by local authority to proceed with project • New Highfields Centre built - July 2002 to August 2004 • Achieved transfer of the building and the arts, advice, sports & community services & staff (December 2010)!

  3. Overcoming obstacles • No provision in HCA constitution for taking responsibility for Highfields Centre • Council’s VAT partial exemption limit likely to be exceeded by £5m project • Need for 10 year business plan • Initially, lease term for 3 years only • HCA to pay £84k per annum rental fee • Services to be provided via a gap funding agreement, with any surplus returned to Council • Services need to be tendered in accordance with European Union regulations • Transferred staff’s pensions to be underwritten by HCA securing a £75k pension bond

  4. Making a positive difference... • A wide range of quality services - arts, advice, early years, children, youth, adult learning, sports, cafeteria & community development – all under one roof & located in the heart of the community • Nationally accredited adult learning courses –from literacy, numeracy & English for Speakers of Other Languages to Access to Higher Education and Certificate in Advice Work (linked to De Montfort, Leicester & Derby Universities) • August 1997 – Celebrating Diversity and Unity in the Community – pre-community cohesion! • First Multi-Access Centre in Leicester – over 80 local people into employment

  5. To individuals, their families & their communities • Community Anchor – initiating area wide consideration of local services via Highfields Area Forum & other local service forums, leading to production of Highfields Area Plan • Future Jobs Fund - 41 young people into employment as arts, sports, children, youth, reception, catering and community development workers, with 20 supporting 9 local projects • Abdul Osman – from local youth club member through to university via Access course, Careers Guidance advisor, ex-HCA Chair, ex-Cabinet Lead for Regeneration & Transport and now Lord Mayor!

  6. Lessons to be learnt • Seeing is believing – open invitation to visit Highfields Centre • Double devolution, localism, neighbourhood management and now Big Society but policy implementation at local authority level needs suitably empowered & independent regional/national champions • Be determined and not afraid, get stuck in, keep your team & supporters updated, seek help & tell your story • Celebrate success

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