A centre of excellence Goodwin Development Trust

The story of how Goodwin Development Trust came into being is important because a lot of  lessons have been learnt in Hull which can be replicated and modified to enhance the quality of life in other communities.

Where we are from...

Goodwin Development Trust was set up as a charitable organisation in 1994 by a handful of residents of the Thornton Estate in Hull who wanted to improve their quality of life and the services available on their estate. From this catalyst of community spirit and entrepreneurial drive has grown an organisation that truly reflects the ethos of social enterprise.  The original Goodwin Resource Centre opened in a shop in Goodwin parade in June 1994, funded by the Thornton Forum.

Trustees of the Goodwin Resource Centre manned the shop from Monday to Friday each week. The original core still make up the board of trustees who are local residents. The Centre offered services including disability Rights, Age Concern and IT training. Within the first year more than 8,000 people had accessed services at the shop. Following work to obtain additional funding and an agreement was reached with Hull City Council to take over an old retirement home on a 125 year lease, work on the new Goodwin Centre began. The new resource centre was opened in November 1999 and marked the beginning of a period of substantial growth for Goodwin reflected in the brief time-line on the next  page.

Where are we now….

Goodwin Development Trust now employs over 300 staff with a turnover of £12 million working across 38 sites aiming to deliver services that improve the quality of life for residents throughout the city and is recognised as an example of best practice by many organisations.

Goodwin’s success stems from an entrepreneurial spirit, organisational flexibility and a business approach to attracting funding whilst at the same time working in partnership with statutory, voluntary and professional organisations to deliver quality services for the community.  

Visions for the future...

The growth of Goodwin Development Trust has been phenomenal in the short space of time in which it has existed and yet its original values and goals remain the same. The services we deliver now and in the future will be as a result of listening to residents to ascertain what they feel is necessary for their well being and to continue to meet their needs. 

Our vision of the future for the Thornton area and in areas where we deliver projects is one of high employment, a high position in the education tables, social inclusion, no drugs culture and continually  lowering crime figures.

Mission Statement

“We are a locally controlled and accountable organisation, committed to improving the Quality of Life within communities  through identifying and addressing the needs of local people and by working in partnership with them and with statutory, voluntary and professional organisations.”