Landmark Community Foundation brings people together at the Landmark Centre in Pleasley, creating a warm and welcoming place where everyone can feel valued, included and at home.  Our purpose is to remove barriers that can prevent children, young people and their families from engaging fully in community life, with a particular emphasis on those with disabilities and additional needs and those marginalised through poverty, financial disadvantage and other circumstances.

 

The Foundation's focus for this approach originated from previous work supporting children and young people who faced significant barriers to engagement in education, particularly the effect on time spent out of school hours. This experience demonstrated that exclusion rarely results from a single issue.  Disability, additional needs, financial hardship, limited opportunities, lack of confidence and social isolation can overlap.  Consequently we have developed a holistic approach to inclusion which considers the individual, their circumstances and the barriers preventing participation rather than solely relying on definitions of a single aspect.

 

In recent years, research has indicated wider factors leading to social isolation, including the continuing impact of post-covid mental health challenges on children and young people.  These issues can effect a broad range of young people and can contribute to poor engagement, low self-esteem and reduced achievement.  The Charity recognises these challenges as potential barriers to participation and positive outcomes.  In response we have developed partnerships with local businesses, community organisations and volunteers with a particular focus on initiatives that support family stability and resilience during these challenging times.  

 

Significantly, our experience has highlighted the particular demand for these services in the north of Nottinghamshire.  Having an awareness of this, prompted our focus on the impact we can make from an established base and in particular the area served by the Landmark Centre.  This involves creating a respectful, inclusive environment, working with fellow providers who understand the sensitivities of a stepped approach to the engagement of children with additional needs.  

 

From activity groups to multi generational activities such as the knitting group and board games club and the integration of the "Roots" coffee lounge there's new energy around the Landmark Centre - with young people at the centre of developments.  The improvements made to date have turned the centre into a first class community destination, following previous years of decline and closure.  It is good to see  young people at the heart of this new growth.