Background
Ollerton and District Economic Forum (ODEF) is a charitable company that is working to regenerate the former coal mining community of Ollerton in Nottinghamshire. It was formed by local people at the time of the pit closure in 1993 when there were significant job losses in all the traditional industries, including textiles.

Our work
ODEF provides a variety of public services including training, employment and community support. There have also been many regeneration projects led by ODEF that have successfully tackled local issues such as transport and the environment. Some of these projects have been carried out by the volunteer action teams. We are now embarking on a new initiative called Community Breaks which is aimed at relieving the effects of worklessness using a combination of partnership working and modern technology.

By adopting a ‘host and float’ ethic, ODEF has also acted as the catalyst and enabler for a number of initiatives that have been designed to diversify and regenerate the local economy. These projects remain under the control and management of ODEF until such a time that they are capable of being executed by a successor organisation. There are many examples of organisations currently operating in Ollerton that began their life as ODEF regeneration projects, including Recycling Ollerton and Boughton (ROB), The Furniture Project and the Youth Project.

Legal status
ODEF is a Registered Charity established as a Company Limited by Guarantee (number 4349983) on 9 January 2002. A subsidiary company was formed in 2003 called ODEF Services Ltd in order to maximise trading opportunities, the profits from which are invested directly back into the charity.

Aims and objectives
ODEF was established with the following charitable objectives:

• the relief of unemployment;
• the advance of education and training;
• the provision of help and assistance to those who are setting up a new business;
• the creation of employment and training opportunities;
• the encouragement of inward investment, diversification and improved infrastructure;
• the protection and conservation of the environment.

Our vision for the future
In the future, ODEF will:

• build on its proven record as a major partner in local and wider regeneration programmes;
• continue to be a focal point for volunteer and community-based involvement;
• become a major service provider for local people, businesses and community groups.