Council secures funding for project to support new communities to Leeds

Leeds City Council has successfully secured funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to deliver a new programme aimed at supporting new communities connect with local services.

The introduction of the Community Connector project will build on the positive work already being undertaken in Leeds to welcome and support new communities in accessing services and be better informed on how local systems and processes work. By working directly with families in priority neighbourhoods, the Community Connector initiative will aim to break down any barriers that currently exist to people wishing to access training, skills and educational opportunities that are available in the city. In doing so, this will provide new migrants with the chance to harness their skills for personal development, and be able to pass on this knowledge in their respective communities. This initiative will play an important role in reducing the number of people going to the wrong service or not getting any support at all.

This cross cutting project will add value to the council’s wider programmes of work across Leeds which are seeking to bring communities together through a celebration of cultural diversity and cultural and religious tolerance and respect.

In 2016, the Leeds Migrant Access Project (MAP) was awarded the EuroCities’ ‘Participation’ Award and acclaimed for its work in empowering new communities to support themselves, harnessing their skills, knowledge and commitment. The council has subsequently built on the MAP initiative through the introduction of the MAP ‘Plus’ project.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for communities, said:

“This is really good news for Leeds and is further recognition I believe of the work that is currently being undertaken in our communities. We want to ensure that everyone living in our city, including those new to Leeds, has the support and information that they need to access services and find out more about the wide-ranging opportunities that are available. This grant funding will strengthen this work further, and help continue our journey to be the Best City for Communities by building on our established EUROCITIES award winning Migrant Access Project that is internationally recognised.”

Notes to editors:

Funding information:

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government provided £249k of funding to support the introduction of the Community Connector project. This was provided from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Migration Fund. For more information, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/100-million-migration-fund-helps-alleviate-council-pressures-across-england