About - NCRC

Our mission

To inspire, co-create and share lasting solutions for a kinder, fairer, greener world.

We believe that everyone has the power to create positive change. We exist to help people discover their power, taking them on a journey of personal growth that encourages them build the skills, connections and self-belief to support thriving communities. We act with sustainability at our heart. Respect and appreciation for our natural environment is rooted in everything we do.

Who we are

The National Communities Resource Centre (NCRC) helps create fairer communities across the UK by giving people the skills, knowledge, confidence, and connections they need to change the world around them.

NCRC has a strong environmental and conservation ethos and empowers people to transform themselves, their community and the environment. Creating social change through collaborating and helping people find and action their own solutions.

What we do

We provide training, support and resources to empower communities in the UK. We work with housing associations, Government, local authorities, anchor organisations and youth & community groups, to find people who are connected by shared ideas or challenges.

We listen to what communities want or need and empower them to find solutions. We do this by helping people to discover their power, and build the skills, networks and self-belief to drive projects that help communities thrive.

How we work

NCRC has built a reputation as an agent for positive change. Whether people attend our programmes individually or as part of a group, they’ll be guided to rediscover their power and use it to inspire, co-create and share lasting solutions for a kinder world.

The way we work is successful because we have created a safe place for people with different backgrounds to come together as equals and feel valued for sharing their experiences. We embed the NHS ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ in our programmes and respect and appreciation for our natural environment is rooted in everything we do.

That’s where our Empowerment Cycle comes in. It’s how we help people tap into their own potential and use it to make a real difference.

Realise Their Power When the world feels a bit unfair, it can be easy to feel powerless. We’re here to help people recognise the strength they already have.

Reclaim It With the right support, skills and confidence, people start to take back control and shape ideas that make their communities better.

Redistribute It Once they’ve seen what’s possible, they can pass it on – sharing what they’ve learned and helping others start their own journey.

Reinvigorate It Our online community keeps the energy flowing. It’s a space to stay motivated, share stories and keep growing, wherever you’re at.

And when life shifts or fresh challenges come up, the cycle can start again. Because real empowerment doesn’t stop – it evolves.

Where we work

While our programmes can take place anywhere in the UK, including in communities, or online, NCRC's historic Cheshire home, Trafford Hall, is still central to our success.

Trafford Hall is a place where people are free from distraction, able to see things in a different light and commit to positive action.

However, we go where communities need us to - working in mindful and relaxing setting to help people come together and create change.

Trafford Hall

Trafford Hall is our home, a place where people are free from distraction, able to see things in a different light and commit to positive action.

Built in 1756, Trafford Hall is a Grade 2* listed building, open to the public and managed by YHA. The building has been retrofitted to be as environmentally friendly as possible, boasting impressive green credentials and strong environmental principles.

The Stables is our environmentally conscious training space and has completely organic gardens and grounds.

Delivered in an immersive and inspirational way, our on-site programmes draw on 14 acres of nature surrounding Trafford Hall, where away from the distractions of everyday life, ideas flow and connections form easily.