Our Achievements
b inspired prides itself in being an exemplar and leader in place-based regeneration. Working hand-in-hand with local people for Braunstone - striving for innovation, learning, adapting and always committed for the long-term to achieve change and improvement. Below are some examples of our key achievements:
Getting Help In Neighbourhoods Get Connected, Stay Well (2022-present)
In 2022, b inspired were awarded funding via Getting Help In Neighbourhoods, to deliver our ‘Get Connected, Stay Well’ programme. Getting Help In Neighbourhoods funding enables b inspired to integrate support for reducing low mood, stress and anxiety, aiming to improve general wellbeing by hosting Taster Sessions throughout the year, such as ‘Self Care’ and ‘Mindfulness’ activities, that local people wouldn’t normally have access to or take part in.
Previous Taster Sessions have included the following:
• Self-care and pampering sessions
• Walking Football
• Pottery
• Cook and Eat sessions
• Make your own draft excluder and much more!
For details of the latest upcoming Taster Sessions, take a look at the News Section [link back to blog posts] of this website, or keep an eye on our social media pages.
The ‘Get Connected, Stay Well’ programme is open to people living in the LE3 1 postcode area.
Youth Investment Fund (2022-present)
b inspired were awarded a major capital project grant through the government (DCMS), Youth Investment Fund (YIF). The scheme aimed to increase and improve the community space available for Young People’s services.
Following approval in early 2023, the capital improvement project at The Grove Community Hub commenced in January 2024. Improvements to the building include:
Installation of a 3v3 Basketball Court adjacent to the 4G Football pitch.
Creation of a large multi-purpose room on the first floor for youth activities after school and in the holidays (Gaming clubs, Arts & Crafts, Youth Club sessions).
Creation of a performing arts space in the Dance Studio/Hall – including retractable tiered seating, performance space and facilities.
Refurbishment of the building to include new flooring and re-decoration.
Secure Bike Storage facility and Bike maintenance stand.
Energy efficiency measures to include: Triple-glazing throughout, PV Solar panels on the roof and LED lighting inside and outside the building.
These developments have meant that we have been able to launch a wider range of youth activities at The Grove Community Hub, including; gaming club, youth clubs and performing arts.
Cooking on a Budget - Healthy Eats (2023)
At the start of 2023, b inspired was awarded funding from the Leicester City Council Anti-Poverty grant programme, to deliver a ‘Cooking on a Budget’ project. Over the course of the project, b inspired ran 4 x four-week courses, with b inspired staff and volunteer ‘Community Cooks’, teaching people how to cook healthy meals at an affordable cost.
The project was a great success, with 24 Braunstone residents participating across the four courses. On completing the course, participants received a free Slow Cooker, course recipe book and cooking kit, so that they could practice some of the recipes they had learnt at home.
For details of ongoing and upcoming projects run by b inspired and how you can get involved, please see the News Section of this website.
Power to Change – Empowering Places Project (2017 – 2022)
B inspired was selected to be a catalyst for development and change in Braunstone by the Power to Change Trust (a National Lottery Community Fund endowed programme), through its innovative place-based programme, Empowering Communities. Chosen as one of only six organisations across the country to test a hypothesis, that community businesses could be developed and thrive in disadvantaged communities, if given targeted long-term investment and support.
B inspired set out a vison to grow existing community businesses in Braunstone and create up to five new ones during the five-year project. Providing a self-supporting cluster of community businesses, offering a range of goods and services that local people could afford. Along with bringing into community hands at least one local asset (The Grove), invested in to provide the space for community businesses to form and grow.
We were successful in achieving this vision, despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic and supported the creation of a Community Shop, Community Café, Community Bar, Football and Dance Academies. Along with the successful community asset transfer of the Grove building and outdoor facilities from Leicester City Council – raising funds to refurbish the building and facilities to provide the conditions to operate it as a vibrant Community Hub and successful community business.
Sports Action Zone (2001-2008)
B inspired (then known as BCA), was selected to be the delivery lead for the Leicester Sports Action Zone (SAZ) – a major sports regeneration programme funded via Sport England.
One of only 12 SAZ programmes nationwide, b inspired operated the programme in Braunstone for eight years and achieved a great deal.
Through investment in capital and revenue projects across its lifetime, it made possible the creation and improvement of sports facilities and projects, that had a significant positive impact on local people.
The Sport England national annual survey, Active Peoples Survey, demonstrated that by the end of the programme 17% more residents (2200) reported they now engaged in physical activities. 34% reported being active for 30 minutes 5 times a week, with 28% reporting playing sports 3 times a week (a 10% higher rate than the Leicester average). And significantly, 3 out of 4 people felt that the increased sport and physical activity had improved the area..
New Deal for Communities (2000-2010)
B inspired formed 25 years ago as the management and leadership body for the government funded New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme in Leicester, based in Braunstone. It was originally named the Braunstone Community Association (BCA) and was awarded £49.5 million to go about a ten-year regeneration programme for the Braunstone Estate.
During the ten-year NDC programme there were some 125 people projects (revenue), delivered by a raft of public and VCSE partners and a huge programme of capital spend. The capital programme invested in: a flagship Library & Adult Learning Centre, Health & Social Care Centre, enhanced Sure Start facilities, enhanced BSF projects for local Schools, Sports and Football facilities, 52 Unit Managed Workspace, Social Housing (stock transfer from LA to Housing Association and refurb programme on the “6 Streets”), purchase and refurbishments of local Social Services Centre and Post Office (to create employment and drop-in advice centres), Vocational Skills Centre at local secondary school for post-14’s and some small investments in local community facilities e.g. Church Halls and Scout Huts etc. to improve kitchens, heating, security and so on.
The NDC programme was undoubtedly the key catalyst of long-term change and improvement in Braunstone and of the 39 projects across the country, its success and ability to evolve means it is now one of only a handful of successors. B inspired is that successor and the foundations are well laid to continue!
