Community Links has a long and proud history of drawing ideas and lessons for change from its base in East London and translating them into inspiring policy themes to influence others locally and nationally. See our Publications section for some of the topics that have created a national reputation for Community Links. These include our setting up and co-chairing with the Prime Minister The Council on Social Action; our establishment of the Early Action Task Force, to make Early Action common practice; and to develop the learning in how our local communities might eventually become Ready for Everything.
For summaries of achievements and lessons overall see Generating Change and 40 Stories.

 

Today, our drive is as great as ever to tackle causes not symptoms, and find lasting, sustainable solutions to the challenges that we see every day in our frontline work. This makes for thriving lives and communities, and it makes economic sense. We are focussing our ambitions now on the following:

 

Links Advice Hub: for stronger individuals and communities.

Based on our long experience of providing an holistic service, this will bring a unified approach to Health, Wellbeing and Opportunity by providing advice on:

  • Employability assistance
  • Legal advice
  • Financial, benefits and debt advice
  • Education
  • Health

With new Impact Measurement (statistics and stories) we want to capture lessons from this new hub development that will inform and enhance local and national agendas.

 

Disparity to Fairness

Sir Stephen Timms local MP and Minister for State at the Department for Work and Pensions has published a report Disparity to Fairness. This sets out the pressing need for improved advice across Newham and a roadmap of how this might be achieved. Community Links contributed to the publication. We have now been invited to assist, and help lead progress, with its recommendations.

 

Get Britain Working

The Government has published the White Paper Get Britain Working which brings together recommendations from The Treasury, Education, DWP and Health. This resonates with our holistic approach – and reflects our advocacy of this over many years. The Prime Minister’s Partnership Unit have taken an interest in our local plans and are encouraging us to establish a new Working Group, of people who have the passion and experience to engage with them and the government over approach, lessons, stories of success and policy.

 

Supporting NEET young people into sustainable jobs

Community Links is playing a key role in linking the Prime Minister’s Partnership Unit with a broader Catch22 initiative focused on helping young people not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) into meaningful, long-term work. By bringing together policymakers, practitioners, employers, and young people, we foster joined-up thinking and collaborative action to develop practical, scalable solutions to this pressing issue.