ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the challenges, in terms of deprivation, faced by the communities of Stevenage despite being in fairly close proximity to some very affluent and prosperous local economies. It also describes the challenges that Stevenage Borough Council have encountered while trying to address these issues during a period of extended and tightening austerity. Finally, the bulk of the chapter is dedicated to the journey that has been undertaken, in a partnership between the University of Hertfordshire and Stevenage Borough Council, to implement a community wealth building initiative in response to the deprivation and austerity challenges outlined above. This has involved applying learning emanating from community wealth building initiative elsewhere as well as refining the approach to meet the unique needs of the Stevenage communities.
