Fairness and Equality

Southend Vineyard

Southend Vineyard runs a wide range of services for local people, including providing food parcels, a free community café, an outreach project for women working in the sex industry and group activities.

They have worked on the Queensway Estate for many years, but identified that residents felt no sense of community spirit which was contributing to the run-down state of the area, so they applied to us for funding to employ a community organiser.

This new role focused on getting residents involved in a regeneration project for the area, in partnership with the local housing agency, Council and Police.  Everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender or faith was encouraged to contribute ideas at regularly hosted community forums and to get involved in taking ideas forward.  Having their opinions valued, has helped residents to care more about their area and a sense of community has returned.