I went to speak to The Coalfields Regeneration Trust at the Conservative Party Conference.
The organisation was set up to support communities that once relied on coal mines for jobs, housing and social support, as well as create opportunities for them.
I had a conversation with Shaun O'Brien, Property Investment and Development Director, about how the Trust can add its expertise to work with the regeneration projects for former coal-mining communities that we will be seeing through our Town Deal.
The Trust also offers the opportunity for community organisations to bid for funding, lottery-style. The next application window will be later this year and I will work with the Trust to promote this in Newcastle.