Community Conversations: The Responses

August 2018

Hannah Roderick Voluntary Development Agency Community Conversations March - July 2018

Contents

Introduction 1

Who responded? 2

How did they respond? 6

Question one 7 What is life like in Middlesbrough for you and your family?

Question two 11 What could be done to improve life in Middlesbrough For you, your family and others around you

Question three 19 What could your role in that be?

Question four 22 What would help you to do this?

Question five 25 How would we know that things were improving for people in Middlesbrough?

Next steps 30

2 Community Conversations March - July 2018

Introduction

This report brings together the initial analysis of the responses from the Middlesbrough Community Conversations, that were hosted between March - July 2018.

Volunteers or staff members from 42 different voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) asked people in their communities to answer five questions:

1. What is life like in Middlesbrough for you and your family? 2. What could be done to improve life in Middlesbrough For you, your family and others around you 3. What could your role in that be? 4. What would help you to do this? 5. How would we know that things were improving for people in Middlesbrough?

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Who responded?

In the period March to June, the 42 VCOs spoke to 1765 people, from across all the Middlesbrough postcode areas.

From May to July, members of the public, Councillors and employees were also invited to host conversations. This resulted in a further 110 responses.

Note: We asked hosts to record only the name and postcode of each respondent (if the respondent felt comfortable to do so).

Voluntary and Community Sector Hosts: Total Al-Hadiyah institute 35 Breckon Hill 38 Bridging the Significant Gap 30 Carers Together 10 Charwood Kinship Carers 73 Cleveland Wheelers 19 Community Ignite 50 Baptist Church 54 Creative Minds 50 Ethio 69 FRADE 73 Hart Gables 11 Linx 70 Investing in People and Culture 50 Inward Bound 50 John Paul Centre 50 Road Resource Centre 51 Mano River Union 50 Marton Community Centre 55 Men's Cave 50 MFC Foundation 50 Middlesbrough Community Church 31 Middlesbrough First 30 Middlesbrough Live at Home Scheme 11 National Federation of Occupational Pensioners 14 NEXUS 63 NUR Fitness 50 Pioneer Credit Union 38 Recovery Connections 53 Roseberry Consortium 10 Samosa Sisters 39 Straightforward 50 Support Team Children and Carers, helping all development society 52 Teesside Ability Support Centre (TASC) 19 Teesside Ugandan Community 10 The Other Perspective 53 TRAC 50 4

Community Conversations March - July 2018

Train them young 21 Trinity Youth and Children’s project 50 Wellness First 44 Woman Today 58 Youth Focus North East 31 Other: Council Employees Surveys 54 Rosedene Nurseries 36 Voices for Volunteers 20

Some hosts provided us with additional information, from that we know that within the 1875 people engaged, at least:

• 575 were from the BAME community • 281 were children or young people • 88 were older people (50+) • 11 were from the LGBT community

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

How did they respond?

The tables below note the responses (and the number of times the same response was given). In cases where conversations were hosted in groups and the host did not record the individual responses, instead producing a summarised report, we have applied the following rationale:

All/ every 100% Majority/most 75% Many 50% Some/ several 25% Few 10%

So, for example, if a host was talking to a group of ten people and said, ‘Many of them felt Middlesbrough was a lonely place’ we have taken that to be five responses of the comment ‘Lonely’.

To see how this information can support the social regeneration agenda to be most effective, we have attempted to align the responses against the priority areas:

• Strengthening our local economy • Increasing employment levels • Increasing educational attainment • Improving health and wellbeing • Improving the physical environment • Improving community life

We have also added ‘Crime and community safety’ following the overwhelming number of references within the responses to crime and the effect it has on peoples’ experience of Middlesbrough.

Within each question section, we have also included some direct quotes from respondents, that help to build up a picture of how people feel about life in Middlesbrough.

All of the responses (in their raw, mostly handwritten form) are available to reference, should you wish to read and record more direct quotes. Please contact [email protected]

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Question 1 What’s life like in Middlesbrough for you and your family?

Positive Negative Open

General comments: Good 295 OK/fine 171 Challenging/hard 126 Great place to live 97 Friendly 74 Calm/relaxing/chilled 62 Pride in our town/don’t want to live anywhere else 56 Deteriorating 52 Accommodating / refreshing 50 Happy 50 Left behind nationally 33 Not great / not good 32 Boring 25 Love Middlesbrough 25 Lost (struggle to find purpose or satisfaction) 24 Depends where you live (uneven experience of life between wards) 19 Mint when Boro are winning or on sunny days 16 Stable 13 Bad/horrible/nightmare/sh*t 9 Could be better 9 Council not active in responding to needs 6 Better than where I lived before (another UK city) 5 I don’t like living here 5 Bad reputation 4 Better than my family members abroad 3 Parmos 3 MP is good 1

Economy: Comfortable 100 Poverty/debt/deprived 51 In a rut (individually as a town) / gloomy 40 Low house prices / cost of living compared with other areas 7 Cost of living/CT rates high 6 Affluent 1

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Employment: Unequal access to opportunity 95 Full of opportunity 50 Too many 0-hour contract jobs as only option 50 Low wages 49 High unemployment 27 Tough since works went (SSI) 14

Education: Low aspiration 36 (and the students it attracts/ investment) 19 Good schools/ nurseries / education / family support 16 safe and accessible 1

Health and Wellbeing JCUH/local healthcare is good 90 Isolated / Lonely 44 Reduced social care / old people struggling 2 Greater support needed for mental health 2 Nothing for children with additional needs 1

Physical environment: Need more houses fit for purpose / bad landlords 57 New or good shops/ restaurants / orange pip 45 Things are getting better/regeneration 42 Clean streets/Council make an effort with parks etc. 35 Easy to travel in and around 24 Landscape 18 Difficult for disabled/older people to access/limited transport 13 MFC/ 9 Traffic/poorly designed roads 7 Good community centres / museums and libraries/ MIMA etc 6 Bad Parking/very limited 5 Potholes/bad surfaces 4 Limited green space / reduced 2 Sad to see houses knocked down and not rebuilt 2 Recent investment in Parkway Centre 1 Heritage 1 Less pollution 1 Public parks are rubbish 1 Cutting down trees 1 Pollution 1 Poor bus services 1

Community: Harsh for young people/nothing for them to do 148

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Very little for younger children to do (at little cost) 120 Lots of social activities/fun 72 Nothing to do round here 46 Limited sense of community / no unity 46 Glad to live in a place with so many people wanting to see it improve 44 Changed a lot over the years 39 Good people try and make a difference 29 Lack of cohesion 26 Change round here isn’t really for us 23 Busy 22 Untapped potential 18 Communication barriers 16 Good to see and experience different cultures 14 Lots of distractions 14 Supportive church community 10 Family Orientated 9 Too many places to eat/drink and little else to do 7 Too many asylum seekers 7 Well integrated community 2 Something for everyone 2 Ageing Better Middlesbrough 2 Homelessness 2 Generous/charitable people 1 Feel wanted 1 Parents always have to work / never see them 1 Struggling parents/naughty children 1 People have no respect for each other 1 Lots of people struggling without a faith 1

Crime / Safety: Crime/increase in crime 114 Racism/experienced hate crime/unwelcome 103 Climate of fear/unsafe 90 Drugs and drunks on streets 78 Lots of gangs/youth on streets 46 Litter/fly tipping/graffiti 33 Bicycle theft 26 Police give us a hard time 22 Prostitution 21 Some places I daren’t go 17 Hear a lot of domestic abuse 16 Safe/secure 15 Dangerous bike riding/driving on streets 10 Good policing / helpful police 2 Dangerous 2 No gun crime 1

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Quotes

Racism and discrimination are an issue though improving. The city is increasingly becoming multi-cultural and facilities for new comers is better than it used to be. Lack of language and cultural understanding of how things are done has been mentioned by many respondents to be barriers to integration. People usually prefer to mingle with people of the same background or ethnicity and this has been an obstacle to learning more about the city and the opportunities it offers. Investing in people and Culture

Young people reported that drug-dealing is common in many parts of the town (wards referenced; Gresham, Ayresome, University, and ) and it makes the town not so safe to live in with the consequences of young people being groomed by drug dealers to both consume and/or deal. The Other Perspective

We have slum landlords profiting off vulnerable families who have no other choice but to live in unsuitable or unsafe conditions due to public housing shortage. This only adds to anti-social behaviour as the town has not dealt with particular areas but spread the issues and problems to other areas. There is less support for youngsters, less public services and more divisions culturally within communities. A lot needs to change. Survey respondent

Marton makes Middlesbrough look and sound like a great place, although conversely Middlesbrough town (TS1) is a very poor area that lacks care and support. Therefore, it is unfair on those who live in the said area. There are numerous issues including adolescent gangs, litter and noise pollution etc. Survey respondent (living in TS7)

Young asylum seekers (after granted resident permits) believed they couldn’t get the opportunities to work in local supermarkets, clothes stores, public offices and other service providers, forcing 70% of them into zero-hour contract factory work and only 10% had joined higher education. The remaining 20% were single mothers with young children. Ethio in Teesside (discussion with 27 young adult refugees)

If you want to see what anti-social behaviour looks like in Middlesbrough, drive a taxi. I see people damaging bins, drinking and urinating in the streets, fights, throwing stones at cars, running without paying fares… you name it I’ve seen it! Survey respondent

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Question 2 What could be done to improve life in Middlesbrough?

Economy More: Resources from central government 48 Resources kept locally (local currency) 47 Businesses opening here / new industries 39 Social entrepreneurship 36 Tourist attractions 36 Use of Riverside Stadium for big events/concerts 7 Developments like Bedford Street 3 Student discount in places 1 Better: Income 31 Shopping in the town centre / update Cleveland Centre 22 Support for local businesses 2 Airport 1 Cheaper: Taxes 11 Rates for businesses 1 Alternative: Restaurants – less halal options 7 Restaurants – more halal options 5 Turn the crown into a theatre again – a music hall 1 We need to value: Airport 17 Students what they want / how they spend money – attract more 1 Lower / reduced: Gap between rich and poor / equality 34 Building of office space to stand empty 14 Charity shops in town 12

Employment More: Jobs 218 Pocket-money jobs for young people 1 Better: Job prospects 116 Joined up thinking between agencies/ services/ planning - reduce competition 15 Cheaper: Childcare 2 Alternative: Enforce living wage / challenge more 13 We need to value: Good employers (ethical) 1

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Lower / reduced: Unemployment 9 Generational benefit claiming 7 People on benefits 2

Education More: Opportunities to train vocational skills 106 Arts courses/corporate use of art/creative writing classes 34 Raising aspiration focus 31 Compassion from teachers (cultural awareness) 21 Teaching children not to drop litter 17 Support for schools and charities like Safe families for children that support 4 early years Business training and workshops 2 Better: Support with life skills/housing/benefits/job clubs 144 Secondary schools 23 Cheaper: Education/tuition 1 Alternative: Education in schools, practical (anti-drug, healthy eating etc.) 69 Community projects connected to schools 12 Faith schools 1 Specialist schooling for children with special needs 1 We need to value: Education 66

Health and wellbeing More: Outdoor activities 97 Sports facilities for women only / single gender swimming 95 Free places to exercise / sports 70 Swimming pools 4 Free access to sanitary products in public toilets 1 Compassion from health professionals to carers of addicts 1 Better: Support for mental health 118 Social care for the elderly / care homes / supported living accommodation 51 Access to drug and alcohol recovery services 42 A&E services at James Cook / improved appointment waiting times 36 Healthcare 3 Support for carers of addicts 1 Cheaper: Gyms 4 Alternative:

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Culturally appropriate support in hospital 21 Person-centred services (not passed around, not just 9am-5pm) 4 School dinner choices 1 Increase price of alcohol / don’t support cheap outlets 1 We need to value: Healthy living 16 Flowers/ hanging baskets in public places/ impact mental health 13 Improved self-worth / confidence 6 School/life balance 4 Mental health support for children 1 Lower / reduced: Takeaways 114 Under-age drinking 23 Apathy / laziness 21 Noise pollution 17 Bars / clubs / alcohol promotion 3 Smoking 1

Physical Environment More: Council houses or starter homes rather than ‘executive’ 35 Green space 28 Night / evening buses 14 Street cleaning outside town centre and more public bins 14 Libraries 14 Wheelie bins for residents 5 Mobile libraries / better bigger libraries 4 Places for young people to sit 4 Train direct to London 4 Bungalows 1 Music studios 1 Benches in public places 1 Houses for British people 1 Public water fountains 1 Better: Public transport 133 Roads / traffic 130 Housing 71 Housing (specifically for refugees) 60 Upkeep of community spaces/ parks 56 Pavements (need repairs – difficult for those who use aids) / suitable 24 crossings Street lighting / pavements 20 Communication to and from council / service providers 15 Council services (nothing specific referenced) 8 Cycle routes 8 Parliament road / Gresham 5

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

School transport (currently lack of buses) 4 Disabled parking 1 Parking at Roman Road shops 1 Parking at Marton Road shops 1 Cheaper: Transport 95 Parking 75 Wi-fi 2 Taxis 1 Alternative: Civic spaces / places to connect 54 Gender neutral town, equality act (non-binary toilets) 2 Parking for match days / promote public transport 1 Age limit in public spaces, stop drunks using play parks 1 Cycle park (next to bus station?) 1 Electronic timetables for bus stops 1 Technology centre with outside gaming consoles 1 Only allow organised firework displays 1 We need to value: Leave the bus station where it is 34 Heritage / old buildings, bringing them back to life 21 Rail network to JCUH 12 Residents who contribute to tidying outside their homes 11 The Tees river area more 1 Animals / wildlife 1 Lower / reduced: Litter 204 Empty shops and houses 108 Potholes in the road 36 Building on greenbelt 6 Betting shops 2 Private landlords buying street houses 1 Rats 1

Community life More: Cultural awareness / cross-cultural events 308 Free activities for young people 181 Free activities for children / play areas 154 Community buildings / buildings for community use 152 Support for charities / communities who are innovative 114 Community activity / places for people with disabilities 106 Activities for all ages / family / intergenerational opportunities 70 Focus on grassroots community development 45 Community projects / new community groups 39 Citizens making a bold stand for the change they wish to see 38 Conversations like this 31

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Transparency from the government 29 Evening activities / out of hours support 23 Creativity in problem solving 22 Activities for older people / elderly 11 Social activities at a low cost (under 50s), opportunity for friendship 6 For the LGBT community (clubs / safe space / better understanding) 4 Affordable community day trips for older people 3 Befriending projects / care for each other 3 Orange Pip in centre square (less alcohol focused) 3 Churches / people living a Christian life 2 Mother and baby groups 2 Free-time! 1 Showcasing of talent 1 More activities organised for BME 1 Hearing loops in public places / provision for the deaf community 1 Better: Community integration programmes / work / language / systems 375 Support for detached youth work / mentoring youth 81 Use of community assets 76 Support for homeless 59 Co-ordination between people wanting to make a difference 42 Support of the VCS 42 Parenting 20 Support for working families / working single people 8 Support for refugees with no / little paperwork 3 Support for veterans 1 Children’s services 1 Link between campus and community 1 Cheaper: Family activities 1 Access to credit 1 Alternative: Journalism / news (sharing positivity and honesty) 44 Ways of working; participatory economics, skills swaps 42 Plans for outdoor activities (don’t rely on good weather) 16 Alcohol free evening activities (more Bar Zero!) 14 Halal food in Middlesbrough schools 5 Change the council / mayor 4 Focus – focus on deprived areas first 3 Forums that focus on positive integration and inclusion 2 Summer activities for children, circus skills 1 Community activity, ward sports days, bloom contests etc. 1 Ask asylum seekers to do community work as ‘pay back’ 1 Volunteer to receive expenses 1 Activities and facilities for young people 1 We need to value: The voice of young people 106 Open / transparent politics 67

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

voice of refugees in decision making/ fair BME representation within council 60 Raise social awareness of those less fortunate 52 The community’s voice / our feedback 38 Middlesbrough as a city / identity 29 Community pride / spirit 21 Manners / the voice of elders 17 Responsibilities should be as important as rights 13 All areas of Middlesbrough equally 13 Middlesbrough 'natives' before transient population (students, asylum 8 seekers) Each other’s religious perspectives 5 Family 3 Getting to know and supporting your neighbours 3 Lollipop men / women / safe crossings 3 Volunteers (pay expenses) 2 Lower / reduced: Community tension 49 Use of term 'smog'/ neg press 11 Asylum seekers 3 Street collectors / marketing 1

Crime / Community safety More: Police on streets 225 Penalties for littering / dog fouling 81 More of and more powers for PSOs / PCOs / Street wardens 54 Action taken against unethical recruitment practice 50 Compassion from police 44 CCTV 37 Penalties for dangerous or inconsiderate parking 12 Support for victims of crime 2 Penalties for hate-crime offences 1 Better: Policing 32 Support for landlords to control their tenants 4 Support for domestic violence victims 2 Sentencing / prisons 1 Night-time safety 1 Alternative: Access to credit / reduce loan sharks 1 Free rape alarms for women 1 We need to value: Peace / community cohesion / safety 75 Stop private landlords renting properties to dealers 1 Lower / reduced: Anti-social behaviour 149 Crime rates 140

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Drug dealing on streets / gangs 38 Racism / hate crime 37 Fly tipping 20 Speeding on streets 9 Bullying 7 Begging 3 Prostitution 2 Dog fouling 2 Elderly people too scared to go out 1

Other Everything needs to improve 1 We need an IKEA 1 I’m not bothered as I’m alright 1

Quotes

More police patrolling the areas so that the community can feel safer, as people have noticed drug users hanging around in parks and don’t feel safe. Patrols should also be increased during school holidays as a lot of youths will hang around in large groups and carry out negative and often abusive anti-social behaviours. Would be nice to know there was more of a police presence which help deter some of these actions and encourage them to stay away or at least manage their own behaviour. Parkway Centre Shopper

At the moment, there is no BME person of African origin on the council. There is a feeling we are not allowed at the highest decision-making table and therefore we do not matter much in the society. This is killing our spirit of togetherness. Teesside Ugandan Community

Areas such as TS1, TS2 and TS3 have a poor standard of cleanliness. The number of litter bins in the streets are very few so people throw their litter in the streets. The back alleys are not kept clean and as a result too many rats and mice are breeding. Survey respondent

We just need to be a little bit more creative, when it comes to places for young people to go and things for them to do. Not just fields and swings, something that is different but doesn’t cost loads of money or is impossible to get to. Survey respondent (Young person)

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

More things to help children that don’t behave well and the parents of them such as family councillors. Also have a lower tolerance on behaviour and regular police patrols for anti-social behaviour. Survey respondent (Young person)

More sports activities for families that are free would be beneficial. This would break down cultural barriers and increase community cohesion. Survey respondent (living in TS1)

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Question 3 What could your role in that be?

Volunteer 318 Voice our opinions/ share ideas 212 Continue to attend or support a community group/VCS activity 196 Litter pick/ not litter / alley clean-up/ garden 183 Be supportive of civic but challenge where needed/ speak to councillors 168 Organise cross-cultural events/ raise awareness of my culture 136 Care about my street and how I can contribute/ be a good neighbour 117 Take responsibility (for self and or children) 113 Help promote activities we value / signpost/ speak well of town externally 109 Report crime 106 Engage more in community life 103 Be a good role-model 94 Be receptive to positive change or try new things 92 Shop locally 86 Treat people right / help people 80 Share skills / working together 72 Integrate more/ mix with people different from me 59 Walk more / paddle to school 50 Give a voice to the voiceless 49 Not my responsibility/ nothing / I'm too old / I'm too busy / I'm disabled 45 Be more confident in own skills and aspirations 43 Petition Barry Coppinger/ support PCC to act 42 Organise activities or events 40 Not sure / don't know 39 Form new collectives and inspire change/ generate new ideas 38 Listen better / be a good listener 35 Donate money to good causes / fundraise 33 Go to community council meetings 32 Network: be a bridge not a wall builder 31 Focus on doing well in training/ school 31 Go to Boro Soup 28 Start a social enterprise 28 Share food 28 Count blessings 24 Start own business 24 Value local assets / use existing facilities more 24 Organise women only activities 21 Get a job 19 Lobby MP 16 Meet with young people explain older generation values 12 Vote 10 Use public transport / walk more / car share 9 Neighbourhood watch schemes / getting to know local police 9 Tell council about environmental issues/ struggles 9 No point talking, no-one listens/ feel abandoned 7

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Work hard 6 Learn English / improve language skills 6 Parent well 6 Use social media positively 5 Pray 4 Should report crime but too scared too 4 Complain to taxi licencing / report bad parking 4 Become a councillor/ as a councillor 4 Not allowed to use my skills - Home Office restrictions 3 Recycle 3 Pay council tax 3 Get a degree 2 Teach 2 School councils / young MP 2 Ask other people to clean the street / report littering 2 Go out in groups (don't be vulnerable on your own) avoid eye contact 2 School governors 2 Be a change agent/ community activist 2 Go to church / share my faith 2 Go to local attractions more/ staycation 2 Drive safely 1 Stand by own convictions 1 Encourage bosses to employ local people 1 Encourage graduates to stay 1 Install CCTV in my business 1 Get insurance 1 Support planning of brown belt housing 1 Work to reduce stigma attached to addiction 1 Use community hubs 1 Not to offend 1 Be positive 1 Happy to be 'disability' consultant/ share my experience 1 I am already involved, why do you assume I am not! 1 Write books/ poetry 1 Host 'alley' parties 1 Leave the area 1

Quotes

With groups of young people, some residents (especially older) always think they’re dangerous or are being naughty. But if they just speak to young people, they will be okay. But at the same time, I think young people need to be aware of how they look to other members of the community and should maybe start those conversations first. E.g. If an older person is going to a shop where lots of young people are and they looked worried, we should teach kids to recognise that and how to make sure they know they are not horrible people. They could ask them if they’re okay, or smile, or offer to carry their bags. Survey respondent (Young person)

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

School holidays can be an issue with children on the streets. They need more parental guidance and it’s maybe that the parents need help and support to do this, to do more family things, access more entertainment. Help them to learn skills in the holidays not just hang around. Survey respondent (Lady aged between 50-65)

A good proportion of the refugee community want to set up their own businesses (having done so in their country of origin) instead of working for people, but currently most are in mundane jobs (if fortunate enough to find one) earning minimum wages. People find solace within community organisations. Investing in people and Culture

I want to get qualifications and support people like me not to lose hope. Help people to be physically and mentally fit. Survey respondent (BAME)

Due to various cultural reasons, refugee women find it difficult to go out, learn, socialise outside of their own families and close-knit communities, find jobs and have bigger aspirations. Investing in people and Culture

I am an asylum seeker not allowed to work. I am good at building and making furniture as my father was a carpenter, I’d like to open a workshop and support people to learn the trade. Survey respondent (BAME)

It’s not my responsibility – you need to bring more to the area to help the young ones explore their talent, talk to them, don’t pass them over - put money into their needs as most come from deprived backgrounds through no fault of their own – we need to get their potential out before it’s too late. Survey respondent (living in TS3)

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Question 4 What would help you to do this?

Cash for grassroots / more community grants for new ideas 206 Listen better (show you hear and care) ¹ 190 Support asylum seekers into volunteering/ social entrepreneurship/ apprenticeships 172 Resource community activity 159 Support community networks / provide platform for networking ² 144 Make it clear how to get help / who to contact 144 Marketing (letting people know what things they can engage with) 136 Resource safe community space / open youth or family centres 134 Fund community cohesion work/ projects/ help people understand each other 133 Make it easier for those with children/ work commitments to engage 122 More police on the streets 107 Provide free transport/ support access to community activity 102 Better recognition of those things already making a difference 74 Language classes/ support to integrate into British culture/ translate your docs 59 Provide new models for community living/ skill sharing/ campaigning ³ 53 Demolish abandoned streets for parkland until other plans happen 50 More bins / clean streets more frequently 48 Be receptive to positive change, open to learn from others 47 More shared purpose /collaboration / more like-minds 44 Provide ways for people to make friends/ connect 43 Give away unused buildings to communities (and support them) / don't build new ones 34 More local councillor home visits/ calls / public place 'drop-ins' 28 Provide mentors / people who inspire 26 More recycling areas / more effort to promote environmental issues/ actions 26 Incentivise volunteering/community action/ walking over driving 24 Be open/ transparent in decision making 23 Provide training in leadership and confidence 18 Better housing / ensure housing quality 17 Encourage discipline in schools and families 17 People in influence meeting with more young people 17 Promote healthy lifestyles / cheap or free veg and fruit / cycle schemes 15 Champion young voices 14 Provide more free activities and events for families 13 Equal access to good education 10 Promote Middlesbrough externally (MP lobby on behalf) / be proud 10 Act! 10 Protect those that report crime better / encourage relationships with police 10 Befrienders / advocacy 9 Enforce littering fines/ dog-fouling fines 8 Provide apprenticeships and work experience 8 Safer roads / better parking 8 Teach young people dangers of drugs and alcohol / new ways to break cycle 8 Better internet access/ free wi-fi 7

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Provide training and access to adult education 6 Reduce Council tax or use it better 6 Encourage schools to provide more out of hours activity/ use of facilities 6 Raise awareness of local peoples’ circumstances ⁴ 5 Lower rents encourage new businesses 5 Encourage private sector corporate responsibility/ philanthropy 5 Provide places for young people to be creative 4 Support business start-ups 3 Build a by-pass / build better roads 3 Only build on brownfield sites/ stay central/ tell us what you're planning 3 Better teachers 3 Support alternative therapies approaches to recovery (consider whole families) 3 Support kinship carers better, with resources and financially 3 Help local children get into local schools 2 Targeted support for start-ups 2 Care less about party politics and more about constituents 2 Help local schools recruit good governors 2 Focus on graduate retention 2 Provide borrowable litter picking equipment 2 Be future focused / visionary 2 Education on how to be responsible pet owner/ bring back dog wardens 2 Promote the manufacturing reputation more widely/ shout praises 1 Stop dwelling on past industry and focus on new 1 Support university research into inequalities/ impact of U. Credit 1 Provide free swimming lessons 1 Sort potholes in roads 1 Support the fire service better 1 Double yellows for exit onto Stokesley road from Laurel Avenue 1 Support elderly to volunteer 1 Make more of the waterfront/ Tees for tourism, beauty spot 1 Linking more with university assets 1 Discourage begging 1 Improve application forms (different sexual/gender identification options) 1 Incentivise young people accessing facilities 1 Job clubs/ better support to work 1 Take better advantage of migrants’ skills new to the area 1 Free large rubbish collection 1 Do a 'key fund' project 1 Focus on residential areas not just town centre 1 Better public transport 1 Don't charge for public toilets 1 Make sure street lighting works 1 Don’t support unethical, zero-hour contract employers 1

Notes 1. A lot of praise for this Community Conversation process, having an opportunity to be asked so openly. The attitude of some is 'make sure you ask'.

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

2. Providing opportunities to gather communities together, a modern or alternative to community councils 3. References to being 'under-confident' so needing a safe space to share thoughts and connect like-minds 4. Comments around some BAME communities not understanding mental health (or labelling symptoms/ issues as that). Also, to recognise it takes time for asylum seekers to understand the systems, so people need to have a compassionate attitude.

Quotes

A lot of people caught in poverty traps are faced with very little help to improve their wellbeing. Except for a few voluntary sector services, which unfortunately have very stretched funding pots, there is little state intervention to tackle poverty, homelessness and unemployment. The local Council needs to focus on investing in these issues rather than gentrification. Survey respondent

The ladies said they never knew what depression and anxiety were before coming to the UK – they thought being depressed and stressed was part of living in the UK. They didn’t know about all the mental health services and were very grateful to learn about them through a ‘Creating awareness of mental health for communities’ course ran by NUR Fitness. Group of ladies originally from Bangladesh and Pakistan

A creative response to homelessness/ street begging. Actively engaging young men in skill development, practical work experience, something to give them a reason to get up in the morning. Survey respondent

Great responses to the problems we face are going on across the town already – often hidden gems are being overlooked. Better recognition of these by bigger charities and local government. Nexus

Socially, I think Middlesbrough needs to offer hope and optimism to its residents from more disadvantaged areas. Development of local entrepreneurs with start- up ideas helps residents invest in their town and other people see how success can be attainable to anyone willing to try and work hard. Survey respondent

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Question 5 How would we know things were improving for people in Middlesbrough?

Economy Increased: Sustainable social enterprises 29 Tourism 21 New businesses / investment from outside the area 19 People moving back here 18 Use of car parks in town/ people shopping in town 13 Local businesses flourishing 11 Disposable income 4 Income for local families (families valued) 4 People able to save money (financial resilience) 1 Government money coming here 1 House prices 1 Reduced: Businesses failing/ shops empty 39 Money worries/ debt 16 Pound-shops/ more affluent shops and people in them 1 Better: Economy / new industries 17 Collective promotion of tourism 15 Airport 4 Other: Port status/ city status 3

Employment Increased: Jobs available 171 Professional families; parents and grown-children living here (in employment) 1 Reduced: Unemployment 157 People on benefits 12 Generational benefit claiming and poverty/ break cycle 1 Better: Wages for local people/ ethical employers 6 Pay gap (equality between staff levels) 1 Access to volunteer opportunities/ work experience 3 Other: Bring back conscription / national service 1

Education Increased: Aspiration/ dreaming bigger / self-esteem 91 Access to education /apprenticeships 18

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

University expansion 4 Positivity in schools 1 Reduced: Free school meals/ the need 12 Better: Grades (educational achievement) 34 Other: Older people given free laptops/ digital inclusion 1 Education meeting needs of all children (those with special needs etc) 1

Health and Wellbeing Increased: Mental health 34 Active/fit people 28 Wellbeing 6 Life expectancy 5 NHS staff/ support for healthcare 2 Reduced: Inequality 31 Suicide 29 Loneliness 11 Use of foodbanks 11 Child poverty 9 Hospital admissions 5 Stigma around recovery 4 Times in waiting rooms for public/ health services 3 People failing to identify and access support they're entitled to 2 Teen pregnancies 1 Smoking 1 Doctors/ appointment waiting times 1 Better: Deprivation stats locally/ reduced poverty 33 Children's health / not going hungry 10 Lifestyles health in men 3 Use of local health services 1 Care for the elderly 1

Physical Environment Increased: Green spaces/ parks / allotments / wooded areas 67 Use of public transport 19 Council housing / lower rents for families 3 Recycling 1 Reduced: Potholes 26 Marton road traffic ' the crawl!!' 13 Dog fouling 3

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Sofas on the streets/ people sat out in the street 1 Betting shops 1 Houses being built on greenbelt 1 Shutters on windows 1 Private landlords 1 Better: Looking environment/ cleaner streets 194 Infrastructure/ roads 136 Housing 125 Public transport 21 Access to larger council houses/ improved process 2 Looking 2 Pavements 2 Student accommodation 1 Value for money (council tax) 1 Recycling facilities 1 Other: Derelict buildings and land brought back to life 6 shops re-instated 1

Community Life Increased: Culturally appropriate events and services 169 Happiness / smiles 160 Opportunities for young people 109 Spaces for dialogue / opportunities for listening 103 Positive feedback 64 Use of community facilities 62 Capacity within refugee-led community groups/ action 51 Voluntary hours 46 Money spent on and in the community 46 Community pride/ spirit 35 Engagement in political processes 31 Celebratory community events (recognition of 'good') 23 Understanding, meeting community need 19 Attendance at Orange Pip and more things like it 17 Cross-sector and cross-community working 16 Direct democracy (participatory spaces) 16 Respect for each other / understanding 15 Influence of 'experience' in commissioning 11 Role-models from different backgrounds in influence 10 Intergenerational activity 6 Graduate retention/ campus and community cohesion 5 Equal access to opportunity, services etc 5 Children enjoying themselves 3 Islamic conversion 2 Support for disabled people to engage in community 2 Number of famous people from here/ living here 1

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

People going to church 1 Generosity 1 Support for fire service 1 Grassroot community activity 1 Reduced: Homelessness 57 Judgement of others 12 Moaning 6 Votes for labour 2 Complaints to council 2 Divorce rate / families 'at war' 2 Disrespectful children 2 Children in care 1 People shopping in their pyjamas 1 Evictions 1 Big issue sellers 1 Negative press 1 Better: Community cohesion/ unity 219 Reports in national and local media 111 Parenting 18 Atmosphere / mood 4 Night life/ leisure facilities 3 Care for those on the edges of town (centric focused provision at the moment) 3 Resourced charities 2 Sense of identity 1 Support for people with learning disabilities 1 Other: We'll become a role-model / recognised nationally 3 Never hear the word 'smog' 3 More documents available in other languages 1

Crime / Safety Increased: Feeling safer 123 Police on streets 42 Criminals locked up 25 Prosecution of bad landlords 1 Reduced: Crime 264 Drugs on streets /drug and alcohol related deaths and crimes 102 Racism 101 Young people gangs on streets/ dissatisfaction 85 Anti-social behaviour 68 Begging 8 Speeding 5 Police response times 2 Dangerous driving 2

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Hidden violence 1 Hearing sirens 1 Mobile phone drivers 1 LGBT hate crime 1 Better: Reporting of hate crime 3 Other: Permanent behaviour change 6

Quotes

Improvement in the areas that need desperate care and attention, targeting litter, pollution, poor housing, road traffic accidents and unemployment rates. Inevitably improving specific areas would have a knock-on effect on neighbouring areas which would, hopefully, improve the whole town. Survey respondent (living in TS7)

We want to see more initiatives and projects that embrace community cohesion, celebrating and showcasing different cultures and traditions. For example, not just talk about poverty in Africa but talk about Africa’s rich dance culture, resources and historical inventions of things that started in Africa. Survey respondent (Young person)

Better job opportunities for ‘twenty-somethings’ who face leaving the area to pursue a career. Greater control of open spaces which become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. Creation of more amenities and facilities to meet their needs and to get them more involved in communities (generations mixing). Survey respondent

The system is making it continuously harder for students to succeed in school, we need to make school more relevant to real life as enjoying school will lead to listening in lessons, getting good grades and success in employment. Survey respondent

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Community Conversations March - July 2018

Next steps for MVDA

It is our intention to organise an event with all the hosts who took part, sharing with them the collated responses and finding out how they found the experience of hosting.

We will also produce a more visual representation of the results, that came out of the 42 VCO hosted community conversations, that highlights what the ‘community voice’ revealed and the challenges and successes for us, as local organisations.

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