High Trees Community Development Trust (South London)

High Trees Development Trust is a well-established community organisation based in Tulse Hill, Lambeth. High Trees has hosted community organisers since 2013 and seen great results including the establishment of new Tenants and Residents’ Associations (TRA), development of a Neighbourhood Plan, a strong residents’ campaign to influence major estate regeneration and a new youth forum for the area.

Community organising is now an established way of working for High Trees CDT and being a Social Action Hub provides the opportunity to promote collective action and campaigning in Tulse Hill and the neighbouring areas of West Norwood and Herne Hill.

A key local issue is gentrification and rapid social and physical change, and community organising provides a mechanism for enabling residents to have a stronger voice in local decision-making. High Trees CDT works to embed community organising as an approach amongst partner organisations, neighbourhood forums and tenants and residents associations. Ultimately this will lead to a more active, representative and civically engaged community.