Stories, reflection and learning from the NTW partnership

We are proud that Neighbourhoods that Work has been influential, largely due to the success of the connector roles, and the subsequent resilience that has been created in our communities, but also the extent to which other organisations and programmes have adopted parts of the approach. Highlights include:

• the Building Better Opportunities funded 'Norfolk Community College' led by East Coast College modelled itself on NTW, featuring neighbourhood focused skills connector, life connector, training connector and business connector work
• recognising the value of neighbourhood based delivery, Youth and Community workers were aligned to NTW neighbourhood teams via the Youth Investment Fund programme, delivered by local youth charity Mancroft Advice Project
• local social prescribing activity was originally modelled via a NTW based pilot, exploring the 'connector roles' and how they could best interact with local GP services; the subsequent service design was eventually modelled on the NTW Life connector experience - with commissioned delivery undertaken by VCSE partners DIAL and MIND, with the social prescribing activity linking into the Community development and Community Connector activity at the grass roots.
• the local Citizen's Advice branch developed a brand new role, based on the NTW's 'whole person' approach and emulating the function of the life and service connector roles
• in addressing loneliness and isolation, commissioned through Norfolk County Council, 'Better Together Norfolk' centred the delivery approach on a team of Life Connectors supported by a Community Development worker to create and sustain capacity within local community groups

• Shrublands Trust launched the 'Community Checkers' project, modelled directly on the NTW community connector activity, following the end of the NTW programme in 2020