Inspiring Communities

In a bid led by Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (supported by The Aldridge Foundation), Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn with Darwen Community Voluntary Service, the town was one of just 15 neighbourhood partnerships to receive funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government under the "Inspiring Communities" programme.  

Immediately following the funding award, baseline research was conducted to identify barriers to success and aspiration for 11-14 year olds within the town, and how these could be lifted.  Raising self-confidence and providing a roadmap were key, and it identified the role that parents and other adults can play in inspiring the age group.  The £450,000 grant will be used to develop entrepreneurial programmes that can support this.

Currently, most community-based work is carried out through this programme, recently launched locally as Stand Out In Darwen.  The programme has four key themes:

• Inspire Me: Broadening young people's horizons.
• Advise Me: Providing information and inspiration.
• Guide Me: Raising the aspirations and confidence of parents and carers so they can support their children in grasping opportunities.
• Connect Me: Developing strong community networks, raising pride in the community and the areas, and drawing out the talents of young people.

As well as the development of an exciting new website - www.standoutindarwen.co.uk - listing local opportunities, a wide range of activities take place, partnering with local groups.  These include guru lectures from entrepreneurs, business visits as part of Opening Eyes, development of a parental social enterprise that will provide support to parents, and specific activities targeting girls and targeting boys to raise their aspirations.