Our Principles

The Foundation’s work is guided by three principles that target the biggest challenges faced by any forgotten town: poor education, a lack of opportunities, and disconnection. By focusing on these areas, we hope to engage and inspire young people; revive local industry; and bring communities back together — ultimately to make Alfreton a happier and more prosperous place to live.

Improving Education

Empowerment begins with progressive and engaging education for all. But schools in left-behind towns are often among the worst in the country, unable to attract the teachers and funding they so desperately need to improve – allowing generations of talent to slip through the net.

Altogether, investing in underperforming schools and delivering a better education to the children of forgotten towns will inspire future generations to learn, grow, and succeed.

Empowering Opportunities

The Foundation supports the creation of innovative and fairly paid jobs, without local opportunities and prospects, young people won’t just leave school; they’ll leave town, too, taking their ideas and ambition with them.  Many forgotten towns are former mining, tourist and manufacturing sites and the loss of their industries has led to fewer jobs, dwindling household incomes, and in some cases, poverty.

Through this approach, we can create innovative, fulfilling and fairly paid jobs for talented young people and entrepreneurs, growing local opportunities for employment. In turn, businesses and high streets will flourish, attracting and supporting even more skilled workers to boost the local economy

Supporting communities

Thriving communities bring residents together; without them, people are left feeling isolated, unsupported, and unheard. Yet forgotten towns characteristically have fewer places to meet, higher levels of isolation, poorer digital infrastructure, and lower community participation than the national average. In short: little to no sense of community.
 We can strengthen the communities of forgotten towns to amplify residents’ voices, reinvigorate local democracy, and foster better connections. Because when people love their neighbourhoods, they’re more likely to invest time and energy in making it proud and prosperous.

Our Principles

Improving Education

Empowering Opportunities

Supporting communities

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