Community Empowerment Partnership
The GNLCEP was first established in 2001 with Ashton Community Trust as lead partner. The main purpose is to provide community organisations in the Greater New Lodge area the opportunity to cooperate and work together. All groups within the GNLCEP retain their own organisational independence and their participation is voluntary. By meeting regularly and working together this helps build greater trust and solidarity between the different groups and residents. The GNLCEP structure has helped improve communications between local groups and encouraged them to share resources and information. Over the years, GNLCEP groups have had extensive engagement with local residents about various issues affecting the area. The GNLCEP works to stay relevant to local needs and meets on a regular basis to discuss, prioritise, agree and implement actions. Minutes of these meetings are recorded and distributed throughout the GNLCEP network.