Zest is the trading name for Netherthorpe & Upperthorpe Community Alliance or NUCA. 

NUCA was established in 1997 as a community forum and by 1999 was successful in its bid to deliver an area regeneration programme (SRB 6/ERDF) worth £15 million, for which it was accountable body.  The programme addressed priorities around community capacity, social inclusion, employment and training, community safety and health.  This programme ended in 2006 and received an excellent external evaluation by Atkins Global.   The programme made a substantial impact on the renewal of the area - key changes being:

• The good level of community capacity evidenced by the continued development and success of Zest.
• The establishment and continuation of a number of successful projects including the Upperthorpe Healthy Living Centre, One Stop Shop, Youth services and improvements to the public realm.

 In 2007 Upperthorpe Healthy Living Centre Trust transferred full operational management of its centre to Zest.   Zest has shifted its focus from grant funded work to delivery of services and contracts.  In 2008 NUCA adopted a new trading name of 'Zest' to reflect its increasing role in the delivery of public services.   It now works at a local and city wide level and delivers a wide range of services including the DWP Work Programme, NHS Sheffield’s citywide Children’s Weight Management Service, the Zest Healthy Living Centre plus a wide range of health, employment, sport and community services.  

Zest is recognised as an example of best practice in its field.