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Putting Hendon Back on the Map
In the community of Hendon in Sunderland, Back on the Map is an organisation that really packs a punch when it comes to making a transformative impact.
This remarkable charity is a true force for change, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of Hendon and empowering its residents with the tools they need to thrive. Thanks to a clear set of strategic objectives centered around building community strength, urban rejuvenation, and empowering residents, Back on the Map is creating a positive new narrative for an area that has its challenges to overcome.
At the core of Back on the Map's mission is a belief in the power of community. Understanding that a thriving neighborhood is built on strong social bonds, the organisation channels its efforts into ensuring Hendon’s residents are heard and represented. By providing a platform for collective action and collaboration, Back on the Map aims to revive a community that supports and uplifts its members, and in turn the local area.
One of Back on the Map's key actions has been to enhance the physical environment of Hendon, changing it into a place that residents can be proud to call home. Through strategic investments in local housing and commercial properties, the organisation is transforming the area, ensuring that it remains a hub of activity and opportunity. Back on the Map is improving living conditions by providing residents with better quality accommodation options through acquiring and refurbishing local housing,
Moreover, their investment in commercial properties on the high street is not merely about economic development; it's about preserving the heart of the community. These properties serve as more than just storefronts; they are essential components of Back on the Map's community services. An active local high street provides greater opportunities for community wealth building and as Back on the Map Chief Executive, Jo Cooper puts it, a chance to circulate the ‘Hendon Pound’
The Hendon pound for us means money that is spent in Hendon, in our local shops and services. We want residents to feel they can invest their money back into commercial endeavors in Hendon where that money will recirculate amongst the local community rather than other locations. We need Hendon to be a place to live and work and ensuring there is a busy high street and good living options is one important aspect, and investing in community spaces to bring people together is another.Jo Cooper, Chief Executive of Back on the Map
Take, for instance, the Social Kitchen. A culinary initiative from Back on the Map funded by The Greggs Foundation Community Grants programme. This innovative space delivers cooking workshops aimed at equipping individuals with the skills to make the most of their grocery budget. In a time when food insecurity is a pressing issue, the Social Kitchen not only fills stomachs but gives individuals basic cookery skills they may not have learned.
As an added extra, the community pantry at the Social Kitchen ensures that no one in Hendon must face empty cupboards. Stocked with essential household items, the pantry provides a lifeline for those in need, offering a dignified solution to food insecurity.
We were so delighted when the Greggs Outlet first opened in Hendon. It added life to our high street knowing that a major brand wanted to open an outlet here, but it also gave us access to a £20,000 annual grant from the Greggs Foundation Community Grant programme. A grant we’ve put hard to work creating opportunities to learn as well as reduce the impact of poverty for our residents. We’ve now received two grants in total and we’re really thankful to The Greggs Foundation for supporting our mission, it makes such a huge difference to the Hendon community. We want the people of Hendon to be proud to live and work here, but more than anything, we want them to have a place to really thrive. Partnerships with organisations like The Greggs Foundation is certainly helping us on the road to achieving that.Jo Cooper, Chief Executive of Back on the Map
It's this commitment to community development that sets Back on the Map apart. By leveraging partnerships with organisations like The Greggs Foundation, they are making a tangible impact on the local area, unlocking resources and opportunities for the benefit of Hendon's residents.
You can learn more about the work of Back on the Map by watching the short film below or visiting their website www.backonthemap.org.