Communit ies & Equ ality Community Development 2011 – 2012 Index: Community Development in Brighton & Hove …… 3 Bevendean .…………………………………………. 5 The Bristol Estate …………………………………… 7 Brunswick & Regency ……………………………… 9 Coldean ……………………………………………… 10 Hangleton …………………………………………… 12 The Knoll ……………………………………………. 14 Hollingbury ………………………………………….. 16 Hollingdean …………………………………………. 18 Moulsecoomb ………………………………………. 20 New Larchwood, Coldean …………………………. 22 Portland Road & Clarenden ……………………….. 24 Portslade …………………………………………….. 26 Queen’s Park & Craven Vale ……………………… 28 Tarner ………………………………………………... 30 Whitehawk …………………………………………... 31 Woodingdean ……………………………………….. 33 Recommendations …………………………………. 35 Appendix One: Combined numbers for the whole Community Development Commission…………… 36 Community Development in Brighton & Hove Brighton & Hove City Council’s community development commissioning programme for 2011-12 provided £400,000 for a flexible programme of community development activity to underpin community engagement in the city and enhance the lives of residents and communities in Brighton & Hove. Community development work responds to local community priorities; it helps people to identify their needs and strengthen neighbourhood activity. There is a particular emphasis on supporting equality and diversity and working towards building cohesive communities. The council aimed to commission a programme of community development activities that would enable communities to organise and respond to the problems and needs that they share. These activities: • Celebrate diversity, improve inclusion and encompass positive action on equality issues • Support the development of strong community organisations and grass root community groups that are led by local needs and reflect the diversity of local cultures • Support the development of trust within and between different communities • Support the development of skills and confidence in communities • Enable neighbourhoods, community groups and infrastructure organisations to better share resources, work together and support each other Photo: New Larchwood Allotment Open Day The main aim of this work is that the lives of people and their communities are enhanced. There are two key outcomes: Outcome 1: Ensure increased opportunities for individuals and communities to take control over the issues that affect their lives in order to: a) meet their needs b) contribute to their economic and social opportunities c) build active and inclusive communities based on mutual respect Outcome 2: Support individuals and communities, including the seldom heard sections of the community to ensure they are provided with the information, advice and support needed to develop their confidence, skills, knowledge and ability to: a) participate in community life b) engage with services c) engage in local decision-making d) understand and engage with democratic processes e) come together to take action for themselves Each neighbourhood received different amounts of funding and therefore had varying levels of community development (CD) support. The CD providers were The Hangleton & Knoll Project (HKP), Serendipity Enterprising Solutions (SES) and The Trust for Developing Communities (TDC). Photo: The Whitehawk Red Tarts Community Development was commissioned for the following areas in 2011/12: Bevendean (TDC) Moulsecoomb (TDC) The Bristol Estate (SES) New Larchwood (TDC) Brunswick & Regency (SES) Portland Road & Clarenden (TDC) Coldean (TDC) Portslade (TDC) Hangleton (HKP) Queens Park & Craven Vale (TDC) The Knoll (HKP) Tarner (TDC) Hollingbury (TDC) Whitehawk (SES) Hollingdean (TDC) Woodingdean (TDC) Communities & Equality 4 Bevendean: Action: Number of people involved in community To help different community groups get groups: together in a less formal way the CD worker supported the Action for Bevendean Community (ABC) organise a, ‘Community 600 Get Together’, a social gathering that promoted networking between the groups. The worker has also supported existing Numbers of groups such as the Bevendean Local Action 500 people Team (BLAT) and the Bevendean Garden managing and Group to increase their membership and attending local supported new volunteers to take on the 400 community roles needed in the groups, such as a new groups secretary for the ABC . Numbers of In order to try to engage with a wide cross new people 300 section of residents the worker has been recruited doing outreach in the streets, parks and to/involved playgrounds and attending public events. w ith groups Outcomes: 200 The worker has built trusting relationships with key local residents and has a good Numbers of understanding of local priorities. The community/publ ‘Community Get Together’ provided an 100 ic involved in or informal, social gathering that promoted attended ‘open’ networking between the groups. Public community awareness around potential future activities 0 events was raised, people’s views were gathered 1 and 6 new committee members were found Action: To help different community groups get together in a less formal way the CD worker supported the Action for Bevendean Community (ABC) organise a, ‘Community Get Together’, a social gathering that promoted networking between the groups. The worker has also supported existing groups such as the Bevendean Local Action Team (BLAT) and the Bevendean Garden Group to increase their membership and supported new volunteers to take on the roles needed in the groups, such as a new secretary for the ABC . In order to try to engage with a wide cross section of residents the worker has been doing outreach in the streets, parks and playgrounds and attending public events. Outcomes: The worker has built trusting relationships with key local residents and has a good understanding of local priorities. The ‘Community Get Together’ provided an informal, social gathering that promoted networking between the groups. Public awareness around potential future activities was raised, people’s views were gathered and 6 new committee members were found. Communities & Equality 5 Photo: Bevendean’s ‘BevFest’ Action: The worker has supported existing groups such as the BLAT, and supported new groups to get up and running, advertise, formalise and access funding and resources, including a Women’s Institute group and a community festival group called the ‘Bev Fest’. The worker has also been asked to support a new group called ‘Super Dads’. The worker is supporting members of the revived Family Outings group to become the new signatories for the group’s bank account, to apply for funding, and to run activities at a local community event to raise money for the group. Outcomes: Having nearly folded, the worker’s enthusiasm alongside the involvement of fresh residents have re-invigorated the Family Outings group, funding is coming in and the future is looking more positive. Key Fact: Key Fact: Successful funding Number of applications: 6 community groups worked with Total: £2,663 12 Action: With worker support to advertise and raise awareness about the new group and its activities, the Bevendean Community Garden has increased resident involvement in its weekly Work Sessions and Family Day. The group has been supported to access local support services and attend community events such as the Fun Day to promote its activities and increase resident awareness and involvement. Outcomes: The negative sentiment that existed in the community around the project, stemming from the lack of initial consultation last year, has shifted and residents are now positively involved. Communities & Equality 6 The Bristol Estate: Action: The Bristol Estate Community Association Community Interest Company (BECA CIC) committee and the CD worker have put some effort into sorting out key roles and responsibilities. The new Secretary and Treasurer now understand their roles and are taking over responsibility in the group. Outcomes: Members of the community are now working in an organised and supportive way which has resulted in more effective working on behalf of local residents’ groups. Action: The 'Greening the Estate’ project has brought together previously unconnected groups. Sharing ideas and skills, they have come up with a plan for the outdoor spaces on the estate, working in partnership with city council housing officers, City Parks, and the Community Payback Team. Outcomes: This has had a positive effect on the estate, especially by bringing people together to meet their shared priorities and overcoming previous tensions. Action: A successful children and young people’s event took place which brought new organisations and services to the Bristol Estate for the first time, putting on fun and entertaining activities for children and young people. Outcomes: The event created a space where residents of different cultures and nationalities could come together, with BME residents and families with English as a second language taking part in the event. Following resident concern that there was not enough to do on the estate for children and young people, the event also gave an opportunity for these groups to promote their services and Photo: Podcast training get to know local young people. Communities & Equality 7 Project funding: BHCC Commission £14,677 value Value of £6,000 successful funding bids brought in Value of 'in £50,000 kind' support brought in Action: An especially strong and close relationship with the city council and major contractor Mears has been nurtured. This has given residents the chance to suggest ways of minimising the major