Transforming lives and communities across the North. Because where you live shouldn’t dictate your destiny.
This is a guest blog by Karbon Homes.
In the UK a stark reality persists: the postcode lottery. Too many communities are held back by systemic inequalities. At Karbon Homes, we don’t accept this as the status quo. We’re in these communities for the long haul and we’ve seen, firsthand, the challenges people face and the untapped potential that lies within.
As a housing association with 34,000 homes and a strong track record of strategic leadership and innovation, we’re committed to tackling the inequalities in our communities. Our refreshed approach to place-shaping, outlined in our Fair Foundations report, goes beyond simply alleviating problems and outlines how we intend to work differently in these communities. We’re focused on creating lasting change by addressing the root causes of inequality and building ‘fair foundations for all’ - a vision that resonates deeply with the Purpose Coalition’s goals.
A holistic approach to building ‘Fair Foundations’
We recognise that creating lasting change requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the interconnected challenges faced by communities. Our Fair Foundations strategy is built on a holistic model that goes beyond providing housing. We’re equally committed to fostering employment opportunities, promoting skills development and enhancing community well-being.
This integrated approach recognises that true transformation involves addressing multiple facets of life, ensuring that individuals have the resources they need to thrive.
Beyond social equity: the economic imperative
Our commitment to ‘fair foundations’ isn’t just about social justice, it’s also about unlocking untapped economic potential. We believe that investing in people and places is not just the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do and by unlocking the full potential of our communities, we can drive economic growth and create brighter futures for all.
We recognise that access to opportunities is not evenly distributed and by focusing on communities with the greatest need, we’re working to redress this imbalance. We’re creating pathways to education, skills development, and meaningful employment, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute to and benefit from a thriving economy.
We also believe that the physical environment plays a crucial role in shaping community identity and wellbeing. By investing in place-making initiatives, we’re not just improving the aesthetics of our neighbourhoods, we’re fostering a sense of pride and belonging that empowers residents and strengthens community bonds. We’re creating environments where talent and creativity can flourish, fostering a sense of agency and aspiration that fuels economic growth.
Targeted impact area - Stanley: skills, jobs and community
We recognise that we can’t make a difference everywhere at once. That’s why we are focusing our efforts and resources on a small number of ‘impact areas’ where we have a significant presence and deep community connections.
One of these areas is Stanley, a former coal mining town in North Durham where we own and manage one in four homes. A top priority identified by Stanley residents was the regeneration of derelict buildings on their high street, and in response we’re breathing new life into the dilapidated Stanley Board School site, with plans to transform it into a vibrant enterprise hub that will serve as a focal point for learning, skills development and social connection. This redevelopment will build on our existing presence on the high street, where we’re delivering impactful work from our Skills Hub and have helped over 500 people gain new skills and qualifications in the past year alone.
We’re also tackling unemployment head-on with our innovative ‘New Start’ programme, which boasts a 70% success rate of participants moving into permanent employment. This includes people like Chris, who’s completing a placement at Beamish Museum after having been unemployed for 20 years, or Laura, who was unable to find a job for several years after bringing up her son as a single parent but has now found a permanent role with local charity Calmer Therapy, after successfully completed a placement with them last year.
A vision for a stronger north, together
At Karbon Homes, we’re committed to building fair foundations for all and our work is rooted in the belief that social mobility and inclusion are essential for a just and prosperous society. We’re committed to creating systemic change that will benefit generations to come and our approach directly aligns with the Purpose Coalition’s mission to break down barriers to social mobility. By working together with partners, we can amplify our efforts and create a truly inclusive and prosperous North.
We invite you to join our movement of change and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/fair-foundations, or reach out, charlotte.carpenter@karbonhomes.co.uk, to discuss how we can work together to unlock the power of place and make a real difference to the lives of people across the region.
