Case study

Kingswood, Corby

The Kingswood Estate in Corby is ranked second in Northamptonshire in terms of Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) measure, which is the official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in England. Kingswood also falls within the top 10% (ranked 440) nationally (IMD Data 2019). In the area, 25 % of the population are young people, aged under 16 years. Crime rates are higher than the East Midlands average, particularly youth related antisocial behaviour and there has been an increase in drugs, gang culture and knife crime.

Identified as a ‘Left Behind’ area

Working alongside the people and the existing assets in the community is a key part of our strategy in place-based development work. In Kingswood, these existing assets are:

• Kingswood Neighbourhood Community Centre, run by Linwood Community Cooperative located in the heart of the estate, offering indoor and outdoor space.

• Kingswood and Hazel Leys (KHL) ‘Big Local’ is a key influence in the area. Established in 2012, the KHL Steering Group raise awareness and involve the community in the ‘Big Local’ programme by co-creating community action.

• Corby Olympic Boxing Club is run by volunteer coaches and is open five nights during the week and at the weekend.

How has our placed-based work made an impact?

As part of Covid resilience work, we partnered with Neighbourhood Centre to set up ‘Kingswood Community Support’, providing the community with food and household parcels and access to other services. We supported by providing sports equipment and activity challenges with the food parcels and ran a virtual walking challenge. Following the easing of Covid-19 we changed our strategy to focus on the increased poverty and isolation that were particularly affecting the younger population.

With our partners we developed the Kingswood Urban Development (KUD). A three year ‘Reaching Communities’ £278k funded project to upgrade the existing youth facilities and provide sports, coaching, leadership and volunteering initiatives and appointed a Youth Sport Coordinator to lead on the engagement. The initiative provides much-needed youth provision in the area, including an upgrade to the existing skatepark, a new calisthenic rig, and solar lighting on the multi-use games area. It will provide a range of sport activities and engagement programmes to encourage young people to be more active and take up volunteering, training and learn employability skills.

Over the past two years, Covid-19 has impacted greatly on the Kingswood community. Pandemic restrictions on activities combined with social isolation have resulted in a reduction in physical activity levels and mental health issues are increasing. The project gives young people opportunities and supports them to develop healthy relationships, whilst engaging in positive activities.

The project will help to improve access and increase usage of the places and spaces where young people meet by improving existing provision. It will also help to restart youth activities in the area, engage and promote local clubs, all of which has been lacking in Kingswood for many years.