Halifax Opportunities Trust has been shortlisted for three Community Spirit Awards

Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT) is thrilled to announce it has been shortlisted for three Community Spirit Awards, for the far-reaching work it delivers in the local Calderdale community. The inspirational Awards, co-ordinated by Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC), will take place on Thursday 24^th November 2022 at The Venue, Bowers Mill, Barkisland.  

The categories the Trust has been shortlisted in are:

• Outstanding Individual Achievement, for Children and Families Lead Caren Parkinson
• Great and Green, for the Outback Community Kitchen and Garden
• Best Marketing Campaign, for the HOT Opportunities Event

Outstanding Individual Achievement

Caren Parkinson has worked at HOT for over 25 years. As the Children and Families Lead Caren’s work is vital, ensuring local children have the best possible start in life. With a team of 130 people, Caren has worked exceptionally hard to ensure HOT’s five children’s centres and four nurseries maintain a consistently high-quality of delivery.  The shortlist is a testament to Caren’s ongoing dedication to the families and employees she works with.

Alison Haskins, HOT CEO, comments; “Caren’s shortlist is very well deserved. She upholds the Trust’s values in everything she does and does so with compassion. She is dedicated to the families, employees and peers she works with, which shows through the consistently high standards maintained both in the centres she manages and the work that is delivered.

“We’re all so proud.”

Great and Green

The Outback Community Kitchen and Garden is a unique community space in the heart of the Park ward community, directly behind Jubilee Children’s Centre in Halifax. Park ward’s very own 1-hectare of green space runs on organic and sustainable principles, the thriving garden is packed full of herbs, fruit and vegetables. There are lots of interesting areas for local people to explore and learn more about the natural environment, whilst the carbon neutral straw bale kitchen provides a perfect space for the local community to gather and cook food.

Alison Haskins, HOT CEO, comments; “The Outback Community Kitchen & Garden is a real asset to Halifax Opportunities Trust and the Park ward community. Not only does it provide a large open space for community activities and projects, it helps to reinforce the importance of nature, being outdoors and sustainable practices.

“The Community Kitchen has delivered around 1500 free and homecooked meals this year, as part of its Tuesday Takeaway, and the Garden has welcomed over 500 people through a range of organised activities and open days. Being a finalist for the Great and Green Award is testament to the hard work that goes into making all this happen.”

Best Marketing Campaign

The Trust’s recent HOT Opportunities event is a finalist for Best Marketing Campaign. The integrated campaign implemented a series of techniques to consistently and effectively raise awareness of the event. ‘Take Your Next Step’ was the core message for the campaign and encapsulated a number of opportunities provided by the Trust and its partners, for local people looking for support, work or training.  The event attracted over 70 attendees and has already seen almost 15% of these taking their next step, with applications.

The Marketing Team will attend the awards, alongside those from The Outback Community Kitchen & Garden and Children & Families teams to represent award finalists. HOT is looking forward to the awards and is confident it is a strong contender against worthy shortlisted individuals and organisations.

The Community Spirit Awards 2022 are co-ordinated by Community Foundation for Calderdale. They celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, either through their individual work or as part of a team, group or organisation.

The Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) is a not-for-profit organisation devoted to supporting the hundreds of charities and voluntary groups across the borough of Calderdale. Its goal is to address inequalities and work alongside voluntary organisations and charities to create opportunities and help those most in need.