You can hardly turn around without hearing something about regeneration and/or sustainability, they are undoubtedly the two big buzz words of the moment. But, eleven years ago, and a long time before they became [almost] everyday words, Hastings Trust was not only using them, but working towards achieving them as well.
Hastings Trust is what is known as a `Development Trust', a community based organisation which aims to work towards sustainable regeneration of an area by concentrating on the local economy, environment, community and culture. Hastings Trust is one of 180 Development Trusts around the country and the only one that covers a whole borough.
Hastings Trust is a registered charity and works with the private, public and voluntary sectors on a wide variety of local projects. It seems that there is not a great deal that is outside its remit!
There are almost too many different projects to fit in here, but they are grouped loosely under the aims of promoting and supporting local economic development, improving the local environment and improving local services and amenities.
When local groups approach it with ideas for community projects, Hastings Trust will support them and so enable the group to carry out the scheme. It is heavily involved in neighbourhood renewal projects and will provide six workers, for five deprived wards in Hastings & St Leonards, who will work with the local community. Neighbourhood renewal is a part Government funded scheme to literally regenerate and improve communities and services for the local people who live there. Neighbourhood renewal projects will be run by the local community with support from, the Borough and County Councils, housing associations, the Health Trust, Hastings Trust and other voluntary, private and public sector bodies.
The Trust also plays a key role in environmental enhancement schemes. In the past it has improved derelict land, restored derelict and run down buildings such as Linton Road Viaduct, which is now used as a training centre, and is involved in the America Ground regeneration. Hastings Trust also runs horticultural, dry stone walling and lime mortar courses. Students have in the past voluntarily played their part in small environmental projects and also in the restoration of Trade Paints' garden in the High Street.
Anyone can also visit Hastings Trust to get career, professional and personal development advice. At the Trust's base in Robertson Street there are also internet facilities available to everyone.
It will also help to set up community enterprises - providing they are viable - by providing support, advice and offering space with some necessary equipment in them such as photocopiers and a fax.
Add to the list its involvement in New Deal schemes, encouraging art in the community, building enhancement, funding bids and facilitating new ideas for the regeneration of the town and it should give you some idea of just how much is going on.
Public, private,voluntary and community organisations all play a part in projects run by Hastings Trust - in fact according to Executive Director Christine Goldschmidt, partnership is the key. She also says that it is not just about planning a three year project such as a Single Regeneration Budget (Government funding) scheme. They are equally, if not more concerned with looking 20 to 30 years down the line - the sustainability side of things! She said: "We are an organisation which works with the private, public, voluntary and community sector to support and help the community to achieve their end. Everything we do is to regenerate Hastings & St Leonards."
Though the Trust is a registered charity, it also receives money from Hastings Council, East Sussex County Council, the Health Authority, Single Regeneration Budget (Government money), and from income on buildings that it owns and leases out to others in the town. Last year its turnover was £474,182.
With regeneration at the heart of its mission statement and the sustainability of that regeneration, Hastings Trust is already making a difference, because although small in business terms, it seems to have its fingers in a large number of pies!
If you would like to become a member of Hastings Trust, or to go on a mailing list for its newsletter please call 446373 or visit the centre at 35 Robertson Street.
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This page last updated: 15/10/2001