Reading Community Development Forum Conference 27 November 2007- Workshop Notes
16 January 2008
Workshop Questions
1. Why might people want (or need) to be involved?
2. What might people want (or need) to be involved in?
3. Who would you want to involve?
4. What barriers/ challenges might there be to getting people involved?
Young people workshop
Local profile
needs of community
find out local agencies
find out what has happened in the past
census / mapping
Short / medium / long term goals
1. Why?
Empowering, acquiring new skills, giving roles, being useful.
Build up a picture of young people in area.
Build relationships
Young people are visible, take the 'flack' – could be minority
Build up self-esteem
Keep expectations realistic and sustainable
2. What?
Work experience
Inter-generational activities – education/ skills/ IT
Sport and coaching
Sponsorship from businesses
Gardening/ allotments
Using video and making/ editing for DVD
Fun day
Books/ library/ music
Politics
Food co-ops
Princes Trust
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Achievement Awards
Citizenship projects
Student councils
Millenium volunteers
Practical skills – building, motor mechanics
Internet cafe
After schools clubs
3. Who?
Libraries (including mobile libraries)
Connexions
Youth services – art/ music agencies e.g, Chant etc.
Health – diet, exercise...
Schools and extended schools
Families
Positive Futures
Police
Sport Reading
Media
Councillors?
Local churches
4. Barriers/ Challenges
Same old people
Cultural barriers
Mobility issues
Historical baggage
Fear
Disengagement
Conflict of demand and interest
ASB
Lack of resources/ funding
Perceptions/ expectations
Elderly people workshop
1. Why?
Community is working well
Isolation
Practical help
Elderly have more free time
Older people are not given the chance to pass on knowledge to young people
Interest in the community
Lack of communication
Sometimes angry
Lots of things happening and failing
Improve the quality of life
Something to gain
Lack of information about the area
Sharing concerns
Identifying problems
2. What?
ASK
Community agenda
Gathering stats
Health initiatives
Elderly and young working together
Dispel fears
Things to do with peers
Things to do with young people
Safety initiatives/ fire
Lunch clubs and 50+ clubs – range of speakers
Volunteering
Elderly visiting schools
Find out who is involved in running the centre
Engage with other people in the community
Why is the bingo not well attended?
Youth Forum – purpose of it?
Someone has to co-ordinate
Development workers in their own roles
Highlighting the existing services
3. Who?
Local committee
Elderly
Schools/ teachers/ Governors
Churches and other faiths
Shops
Police
Youth clubs
Councillors
Statutory bodies
Residential homes
Parents
Media
Funders
4. Barriers/ Challenges
Cost attached
Mobility
Cultural differences
Communication/ languages
Lack of confidence
Fear of others
How do we reach the elderly?
Resistance to what people are telling them to do
Apathy
Lack of youth provision
Timing of meetings
Centre barriers – e.g, not people friendly
Mot engaging properly
Lack of leadership
Transient nature of population
Perception of elderly
Who is on the committee? - arguments, barriers
Community – no continuity
Residential homes have their own activities
How the information is distributed
Fear of change
Is committee representative of community? - what is their expertise?
Skills audit
Councillors have knowledge of community
Teachers/ Governors
Use of modern technology
Families workshop
1. Why?
Anti-social behaviour (perception of)
Community Champions
Personal gain
Because they are angry
Meeting people
Better quality of life
Graffiti
Sense of community
Integration
Parking
Provision for Children
Activities for young people
Activities for parents
Festival – bringing people together
Families coming together
Ownership of the community
2. What?
Support groups
Sporting events – street games/football
Yoga
Ante-natal classes
Healthy eating
Weight watchers
Debt advice
Counselling
Training
Toddler groups
Mother and baby mornings
Festivals/open days
Brownies/guides/cubs/scouts
Political discussions
Graffiti wall
Police engagement e.g. drugs talk
3. Who?
Local Families
Not just the “usual” people – try and engage those that don’t usually engage
Different ethnic groups or any isolated groups
People who are new to the area
Realistic people
Truancy officers
Young people who are involved in anti social behaviour (how?)
People who can advocate for young people
Housing officers
Local faith and charity groups
Shops
Primary schools
Relevant services:
Citizen’s advice bureau
Health Activists
Health workers
Police
TVU
Local colleges
Sure Start
Sport Reading
Local Clubs
Church Groups
Youth offending team
4. Barriers/Challenges?
Times of meetings: What groups at what times? Clashes. Getting it wrong.
Engaging young people who are involved in anti-social behaviour
Teachers from schools don’t always know the issues
People being ASKED to go to stuff such as parenting classes
Relevance
Money
Too many consultations – puts people off
Age
Race
Language
Culture
Religion
Childcare
Rented accommodation and owned accommodation divide
Cynicism – due to bad experiences in the past
Ticking boxes rather than about people
People’s perceptions
High expectations
Lack of confidence
The building (e.g. tatty or intimidating)
Duplication of services
5. Solutions to barriers
Building trust
Doing things that people can relate to
Cultural awareness
Info and leaflets
Carrot – engage them in something they want and then add the bit they don’t want into this
6. How to find out what people want?
Consultation
Ask them – 1:1
Ask groups already working in the community
Suggestion boxes
Talk to the young people in schools
Questionnaires with a prize draw
Listen
Central database?
We are good at asking but are we good at responding to what they want?
