Halifax Opportunities Trust is a charity, established in 2000 and operational since 2002.
It was set up to continue some of the activities of the government funded West Central Halifax Partnership when it came to an end in 2002. The nature of our work means we respond to the needs of the community and individuals, so we are used to thinking innovatively and adapting to change.
We aim to create a community that is multicultural and self-sustaining, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a brighter future for all. To do this, we work towards long term goals to overcome the ongoing challenges that are prevalent in the local community of Park ward and wider Calderdale borough.
Over the past 21 years we’ve built stable foundations to ensure we can sustainably create opportunities for local people so their lives are better. The vast range of work we are involved with stems from place-based delivery; addressing the real, lived experiences of local people with co-designed services that truly make a difference.
As the name suggests, Halifax Opportunities Trust is based in Halifax in the borough of Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Our projects span the length of Calderdale from the economic centre that is Halifax to the suburbs such as Boothtown and Siddal and valley towns of Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden but our home is very much centred in the Park Ward area.
Park ward is a vibrant and diverse part of Halifax, home to significant historic sites such as People’s Park, Lister Lane Cemetery and The Gibbet that tell the story of Halifax’s fascinating industrial past when it was at the forefront of the textile production during the Industrial Revolution. Today Park Ward is one of the most culturally diverse areas in Calderdale where communities from around the world choose to settle to build their lives.
Find out more about the places and spaces we operate in.
We ultimately work alongside local people, their families and the community groups and organisations they are a part of so their lives are better.
Typically, we reach around 1,700 people each day.
Many of the people we work with have unique life experiences. While we share the same neighbourhood, the people who live and work here have different aspirations. We work together to understand the ambitions of individuals and create opportunities that lead to a better life, however that may look. Our children’s centres welcome families from over 50 different nationalities through their doors every single month and our ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) classes support men and women from ten different countries to learn English and integrate into the wider community.
Watch our video to learn more about the Trust and how we build thriving communities.
As a community anchor organisation we build strong relationships with other businesses, groups and charities.
We work with individuals and families, as well as local organisations and groups, within the community to ensure the things we do are relevant, valuable and accessible. It’s been proven in many studies that community organisations aid social cohesion, community engagement, improved health and wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
Collaboration is crucial for us to deliver some of our projects. Being a recognised Community Anchor throughout Calderdale helps us build and maintain partnerships to ensure our services are sustainable.
Our support us page will give you more information on the organisations we collaborate with and how to support us
As a Trust we consider ourselves to be ‘socially enterprising’ which means we deliver contracts and pursue business opportunities as a way of achieving our charitable goals.
This way of working means our organisation doesn’t have to rely on donations and grants, although we do work with funding partners to delivery some of our projects, and we generate most of our income by trading (e.g. the rents we receive from tenants in our buildings; delivering contracts for the council). HOT owns a subsidiary trading company (HOT Enterprises Ltd) which runs our two office/unit rental sites; Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre and Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre.
You can find out more about what we do, and how we do it, in each of the sections dedicated to our areas of operation: employment , apprenticeships, wellbeing, enterprise, inclusive integration and children & families.
You can find out more about what we do, and how we do it, on our services page
If you have had experience with any of our services and would like to submit feedback please feel free to download our Comments, Compliments and Complaints form here and return it to us.
Read our full Compliments Comments and Complaints Policy below:
We’re here so people have the opportunity to grow in a vibrant, multicultural and self-sustaining community.
Read our latest Impact report to unerstand the projects and initiatives we’ve developed and the impact these have had on the people, families and businesses within our community.
We have lots of news and information to share with you about HOT, what we’re up to and the people we work with. Click on a heading below to learn more…
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Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre, Hanson Ln, Halifax, HX1 5PG
Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Halifax Opportunities Trust is company limited by guarantee and registered in England, number 4089288. Our registered charity number is 1086183. Our VAT number is 890540516.
