As the UK's biggest resident and community-led housing association, putting power into the hands of our people is at the heart of our ethos.
Created and funded by Eastlight Community Homes, our community empowerment project, All In, has created four teams of Essex residents who have spent the last year dedicating their time to one goal: to create a bold solution to a major social issue in their community.
Launched in June 2022, the All In Community Teams for Braintree, Colchester, Halstead and Witham have worked with thousands of local residents to create four truly community-led ideas that take on issues from the cost-of-living crisis to boosting mental wellbeing. All of which has already seen the support of local MPs, local businesses and local residents!
At the same time, Eastlight unveiled four All In Community Alliances in the same towns and cities, for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community, but perhaps isn't sure where to start. Our quarterly meet-ups are an opportunity for local people and local organisations to come together, share ideas and experiences, and agree actions to make your community a better place to live.
Meet your community teams and alliances, and find out how you can get involved with All In, here: www.weareallin.co.uk
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University of Essex research
Research by academics at the University of Essex has revealed the “transformative” impact of the All In programme.
The Essex Business School report, entitled “All In(novation)”, found that All In’s Social Return on Investment was £6.26 for every £1 invested in its first year alone.
All In also picked up the Neighbourhood Transformation award at the Affordable Housing Awards in November 2023.
Kinder Minds - All In Braintree
“It’s scary to think that in Braintree, you need to reach a point of crisis to receive adequate support”.
The All In Community Team for Braintree have launched Kinder Minds: a community-led wellbeing service where local people can enjoy free or low-cost activities such as yoga and art therapy while building meaningful relationships with other residents.
Trusted - All In Colchester
“Never has there been a greater need for communities to come together and combine knowledge”.
Colchester’s All In Community Team are taking the stigma out of talking money through Trusted, a weekly safe space to grow understanding about money where the experts in the room are residents who have spent years making ends meet.
Grow with the Flow - All In Halstead
“Period shouldn’t be a dirty word in 2023.”
The All In Community Team for Halstead are a group of local women who have created Grow with the Flow with secondary school pupils from the town after discovering 85% of girls have tried to hide that they are on their period.
Popcorn - All In Witham
“Social isolation affects everybody – but it really impacts young people.”
The All In Community Team for Witham has created Popcorn, a programme where young people who are struggling to reconnect after years stuck at home during the pandemic can build their own micro-community.
All In Community Alliances
Our Alliances in Braintree, Colchester, Halstead and Witham are for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community, but perhaps isn't sure where to start.
At quarterly meet-ups, local people and organisations and come together, share ideas and experiences, and agree actions to make your community an even better place to live.
Resident Academy
We recognise that residents know better than anyone what they need to be safe and happy in their home and community.
The Resident Academy has been designed to equip residents with the training, tools and support they need to hold Eastlight to account.
