The Newent Initiative Trust is an independent ‘not for profit’ organisation formed to assist groups whose purpose it is to make Newent and the surrounding areas a better place to live, work and visit.

The Trust was formed in 1999 as the Newent Millennium Trust and the Chill-Out Zone opened in 2003 as one of the Trust’s first millennium projects. The Trust received a Lottery Grant to buy the building at 36 Broad Street, which is now run by trained staff and volunteers who fundraise on a regular basis to keep it going.

Funds were made available by the Government to rural communities in 2002 following the Foot and Mouth outbreak on the condition that an agent be employed to consult with the community, as to what was required and to “kick start” some of the identified projects. The resulting Community Plan was made and 48 projects were identified.