Trust History
Genesis and Development of the Trust

Woodthorpe Forum grew out of an initiative developed by local residents known as the Fishponds Action Group (F.A.G) and was formed in 1996.  This was brought about by the concerns of local residents who felt that the Woodthorpe area was neglected by many of the agencies entrusted with regeneration of this area.  This eventually resulted in a survey published by the Forum in 2001:  "The Forgotten Estate": a Survey of Health and Well Being in Woodthorpe: the Residents ‘Views.  The research found that respondents were concerned about:  high levels of crime (with many worried about personal safety, particularly the threat posed by gangs of youths);  the rundown appearance of Woodthorpe (big problems with litter, vandalism, and dog dirt);  the safety of Woodthorpe roads (dangers posed by speeding traffic and joy riders);  not feeling part of the local community and the breakdown in community spirit;  having few facilities or planned activities on the estate, particularly for children and teenagers; and high levels of physical and emotional ill health.

Woodthorpe was originally left out of the local Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) area (which included the neighbouring Manor and Castle estates), but lobbying over  two years led, in 2000, to the SRB area becoming 'Manor, Castle and Woodthorpe'. Woodthorpe joined the Manor and Castle Development Trust.  The Forum became an independent Development Trust in April 2005.  We have, in the past, received funding from the South Yorkshire Key Fund (1999-2001), the National Lottery (2001-4), and the SRB (2003-4), and we secured an allocation of the South Sheffield Partnership's resources as core funding for the period 2004-8.

Between 2002 and 2005, the Trust increased its income over five fold, from £87,000 in the year ended March 2002 to £440,000 in the year ended March 2007.  In order to move towards financial self-sufficiency, we have tried to increase the proportion of the Trust's earned income from contracts for the provision of services.  This has been growing and we have plans to do increase it further.  In real terms the increase in the Trust's income, has allowed the Trust to employ more staff which in turn has led to the Trust being able to exert a growing influence on the regeneration of this area.  This has been by both enlisting the support of various agencies and developing its own programme and projects.

Progress so far
  • Lobbied for the building of a new school, Sure Start Children's Centre building and new playing fields.
  • Secured £80k to carry out environmental work in and around the fishponds.
  • Community litter picks.  'Bring out your rubbish' days and “paint the park”
  • Secured barriers to prevent vehicles entering green areas.
  • Bulb planting and cutting back trees and shrubs encroaching on footpaths or creating safer neighbourhood issues.
  • Security gates provided for Nodder Road shops.
  • Working with groups of residents to identify "hot spots" of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage across area.
  • Organised meetings between key agencies and residents about community cohesion issues. 
  • Liaising with agencies and shopkeepers.
  • Organised holiday playschemes, trips and activity workshops for young people.
  • Promoted self-defence classes for women.
  • Organised safer access to school including crossing patrols and crossing places.
  • Promoted safety on the roads.
  • Encouraged residents to report all forms of crime in the area.
  • Lobbied bus companies for reinstatement of bus routes.
  • Child Protection training.
  • Organised childcare play worker training.
  • Introduction to Pre-school Practice (IPP) training course and NVQ courses in Childcare. 
  • First Aid courses.
  • Health and Safety courses.
  • MAKATON (sign language) course.
  • Provided work experience for pupils from local schools.
  • Supported volunteers.
  • Organised and obtained funding to provide holiday and evening activities for young people from 8 years upwards.
  • Organise community led festivals in the area. 
  • Assisted the Woodthorpe Tenants and Residents Association (TARA), to make  their building more accessible to the public.
  • Conversion of the basement in the TARA building for office space
  • Organise and promote litter picks.
  • Promote environmental work and encourage activity to improve the local environment.
  • Develop sports activity in the Woodthorpe area through Live Wirz Sportz Klub.
  • Helped to establish the Friends of Woodthorpe School group.
  • Ran a scheme providing small grants to community groups.
  • Continued the production of the newsletter.
  • Supported two families from the area who were participating in the National Chess Championships in London.
  • Supported the City School by helping to fund a trip to Malealea in Lesotho
  • Set up five different childcare groups including a Special Needs club.
  • Established a fruit tuck shop within the school, promoting healthy snacks.
  • We also promoted the “5 - a - day” healthy eating campaign.
  • Established a new social enterprise, Three Consulting, this is a wholly owned trading arm of the Trust.
  • Provide local employment for over 70 people
  • Over the past few years the Trust has built up its strength, knowledge and expertise and is now planning ahead to deliver a forward programme that includes:
  • Regeneration projects and services as part of the delivery of the Neighbourhood plan
  • The further development of support to groups who wish to form or develop
  • Maintain and develop even closer links with  Woodthorpe Community Primary School assisting in securing funding and development of projects identified by the school
  • Maintain and develop links with the Woodthorpe Youth Centre assisting in securing funding and the development of projects identified by the Youth Centre and young people
  • Development of social enterprise activities to both develop the sustainability of the Trust and, to provide services and leisure activities for the residents of this area.
  • Create further employment opportunities through the development of social enterprise activities.
  • Become even more effective at campaigning ensuring local agency resources are targeted at this area
  • Support the campaign and assist in efforts to improve Richmond Park by continued support of the Friends of Richmond Park.
  • Developed sporting and leisure activities across the Woodthorpe area to provide quality services for young people and their families.
  • Established a new youth facility for young people from 8 years to 13 years.
  • Work with local agencies including the police and fire service to promote community safety through the Community Safety Group.