Kingstanding community project wins Big Society Award

A community project in Kingstanding that grew from a small group of volunteers into a £1.6 million community centre has won the Prime Minister's Big Society Award.

The New Heights community project was named as the latest winner of the award on 12 February.

From a cafe to a community centre

New Heights was set up in 2004 by residents who were fed up with anti-social behaviour and vandalism in their area. The group opened a cafe as a community hub, where local people could meet, make friends and get access to training and jobs.

More than 100 volunteers now run the charity, and its newly built community centre is home to 37 organisations offering services to meet local needs. They include internet training and social clubs for older people, activities for young people at risk of getting into trouble, health and lifestyle advice, debt and legal advice, support for carers and for people suffering domestic abuse, and support groups for people with alcohol and substance problems.

Raised by the community

More than £1 million of the money raised came from local fundraising, including charity drives, cake sales and race nights. Along with help from the Big Lottery Fund, it allowed the group to refurbish a run-down Portakabin, turn a derelict shop into a thriving community cafe, and build a new community centre.

John McCarthy, who chairs New Heights, said: "Since our beginnings, New Heights has grown into a vibrant community project run by local people for local people in Kingstanding (with over 100 active volunteers) who are passionate about making a difference within their local community."

"Our work over the last 9 years has enabled us to consult with over 4,000 local people on a range of issues and deliver a range of responsive services to meet the community needs they helped us identify."

"Winning this prestigious award has uplifted the already positive spirit of the Kingstanding Community."

Praise from the Prime Minister

David Cameron said: "I'm delighted to be recognising the achievements of everyone involved with the New Heights project with this Big Society Award. By creating a space for local people to come together to get new skills, access support and socialise, New Heights has become an important part of making a community everyone can be proud of."

A parish beginning

The project was first set up by a group of people from Christ the King parish in Kingstanding, after Father Michael White arrived in the area in 2003.

About Kingstanding

Kingstanding, in the north of the city, is one of Birmingham's largest council estates, built in the 1930s. Like many outer estates, it has faced challenges including unemployment and a lack of local facilities, and community groups like New Heights have stepped in to fill some of the gaps.

About the award

The Big Society Awards were launched by the Prime Minister in November 2010 to recognise people and organisations who are improving their communities. Another Birmingham winner, Nick Booth, was recognised for setting up social media surgeries to help community groups make the most of the internet.