All too aware of this fact, Sandwell Council submitted a bid to the Government’s New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative, a 10 year £2 billion regeneration programme aimed at bridging the gap between the 39 most deprived neighbourhoods in England and the rest of the country.

Sandwell Council’s bid proved successful and in 2000 Greets Green Partnership was launched with a view to delivering improvements to people’s lives based on five theme areas;

• Poor job prospects
• High levels of crime
• Educational underachievement
• Poor health
• Problems with housing and the physical environment

These improvements were to be achieved by working with local service providers – making Sandwell Council a key player in the regeneration of Greets Green. The council worked closely with Greets Green Partnership throughout the 10 years, specifically when tackling issues around housing, the physical environment, education, skills, training and community cohesion.

Greets Green Partnership closed its doors for the final time on March 31, 2010, leaving behind rejuvenated neighbourhoods with higher educational achievement levels, safer streets, significantly improved facilities and services, and better opportunities for the local community.

To learn more about Greets Green Partnership and read key documents including;

• Business plans
• Annual reviews
• Case studies
• Communities & Venues Guide
• 10 Year review

Visit www.greetsgreenpartnership.org.uk

The website also features a film looking back at the Partnership’s work and an interactive map to illustrate some of the work carried out.