“Paddington Development Trust is a great example of how a social enterprise can make a real difference to a community.  The suppot, advice and services they provide are making a huge difference to people in their area.  we are seeing a new era of people power at the centre of the new Government and its really exciting to see an organisation were this is already happening.”
Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, June 2010

“Thank you for all the hard work you and your colleagues at PDT have put in over the last 18 months to make Westminster Works such a success. I am very proud of Westminster Works has achieved so far. With over 1,990 workless residents enrolled and 231 job starts, the programme has been instrumental in tackling long term worklessness, breaking cycles of benefit dependency, supporting businesses and extending economic opportunities to the city’s most disadvantaged communities… Westminster Works has also developed new ways for the council to work with businesses, the voluntary sector, social enterprises and registered social landlords. This model has been priased by central government and industry experts and sets a precedent for how local authorities will deliver public services in future. I have been particularly impressed with PDT’s management of Westminster Works.  By bringing together a consortium of providers we have ensured the programme harnesses the expertise of the voluntary sector and social enterprise in the city.”
Rosemary Westbrook, Director of Housing, WCC, and Chair of Westminster Works Board, December 2010

“What has been most impressive about the work of PDT and its partners is the way it has engaged communities and got residents involved in running projects and providing leadership in their neighbourhoods.”
Karen Buck, MP for Westminster North and Mark Field MP for Cities of London and Westminster, Dec 2010

“The Trust’s activities enjoy great success due to the commitment, enthusiasm and patience of their remarkable staff.  I am truly humbled by their energy and determination.  Above all, PDT have reached out to all members of this community, many and varied as we are, and encouraged us to work together, think laterally, take initiative with our urban surroundings, introduced us to employees of the local authority, with the result that there is now an enthusiastic determination to bring about achievable, low-cost or no-cost improvements to our locale and the community as a whole…The Trust’s greatest achievement is mobilizing a large number of local people willing and able to commit their time and skills to local projects.  PDT has become a galvanising force within Westminster.”
Julia Harrison, W10 resident, December 2010

“The Forum… is an excellent example of how Big society can work – and is already working in Westminster and how a community working together can make a real difference to the lives of its residents”
Councillor Colin Barrow CBE, Leader of Westminster City Council, Aug 2010

“I’ve found that it definitely helps to have a local neighbourhood team to signpost to, for example in Queen’s Park. The induction from your office was fantastic, and I’ve had a lot of useful advice from the other [Neighbourhood Forums] I’ve visited.” 
Nial McVeigh, Westminster Housing Options Service, August 2010

 “Thanks for the effort you all put in for the summer festival last month.  It provided a communications route to promote forthcoming services effectively to the right audience.  About 400 people visited our stall on the day and I had fun too”
Tim Starley-Grainger, Westminster City Council, Queen’s Park Low Carbon Zone, Sep 2010

 “I just want to say thanks a lot for your help in identifying venues for our Step Into The Picture project”
Carolyn Nicol, London Print Studio, Sep 2010

 “Your support of the [community theatre] project has been invaluable”
Suzanne Gorman, Soho Connect Director, Soho Theatre, Sep 2010

“The greatest achievement of [PDT's] Neighbourhood Forums has been the way that they have fostered the sense of community spirit in the area” Simon Walton, W10 Resident, Nov 2010