PLANS have been unveiled by Wychavon District Council’s Executive Board to invest £115,000 into Droitwich West to improve the lives of residents living there.
The funding for the area, which includes the troubled Westlands estate, will be over three years.
It is part of an overall £230,000 investment using New Homes Bonus funding with the other £115,000 going towards the Rural Communities Programme.
It was announced at the meeting of the council’s executive board yesterday (Wednesday) by Coun Lynne Duffy.
Wychavon District Council leader Coun Linda Robinson said whilst the district was recently voted the third best place to live in the country it was also rated third worst in England last year in the Social Mobility Index.
The index looks at differences in areas where children grow up and the chances they have of doing well at school, finding a good job and having a decent standing of living.
The programme would be aimed at raising aspirations, improving life chances, increasing physical activity and offering healthy living advice.
Coun Robinson said: “There is already some good work going on in Droitwich West and we would work with the school, WANDS Children’s Centre and others.
“We are looking forward to working with them in partnership, along with Fortis Living and Droitwich Town Council.”
Advice would be sought from the regeneration and economy advisory panel for feedback on the proposals and advice on skills gaps in Droitwich West.
The programme is subject to full council approval a week on Wednesday (February 22) and the finer details of the project are still being worked on.
Coun Robinson added: “Reducing pockets of deprivation and improving social mobility is one of my aspirations, that I know other board members share.
“We can’t afford to ignore these challenges.
“That’s why the Board is putting forward a three year programme of activity in one of the district’s most deprived wards.”
She added the scheme would be tracked to see the difference it made.
The Rural Communities Programme is aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals and communities in the district, including older people and the socially isolated by developing networks for people to help them connect with each other to reduce the impact of loneliness.
