1. No category

Big Local Plan 2015
Page 1
Contents
Introduction
3
The Journey
3
Communications
4
Star people
4
The Partnership
4
The Partners
4
The Priorities
5
The Plan and Projects
8
Appendices (available separately)
1
Initial engagement April 2013
2
Riverside Community Big Local Profile
3
Riverside Community Partnership
Page 2
Introduction
Big Local is a 10 year innovative programme that aims to achieve lasting change in 150 areas
in England. It provides a mixture of funding, finance and support to a specific geographic
area. It seeks to enable people who live in the area to identify the needs of their community
and build on local talents and aspirations so they can make their area a better place to live,
both now and in years to come.
It is the local residents in the communities who drive Big Local in their area. The programme
supports, challenges, trains and encourages people. There is a unique programme of activity
in each area based on local needs, although all must share the Big Local programme
outcomes.
• Communities are able to identify local needs and take action in response to them
• People will have increased skills and confidence
so that they can continue to identify and respond to need in the future
• The community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises
• People will feel that their area is an even better
place to live
We feel that our partnership has taken all of these ideals on board and that is reflected in
our plan
Our Big Local area is shown on the front cover. The Grays Riverside area, as it was originally
called was identified in the third wave of Big Local in December 2012 and was slightly
smaller than the current area. It was extended in 2014 at the request of the steering group.
The Journey
The initial engagement of the community was at the end of April 2013 and the findings of
that group match well to the wider findings of later surveys. The report of that event can be
found in appendix 1
From that point on those interested residents and volunteers who worked in the area met
as the steering group. All meetings were advertised and open to the residents of the area.
The positions of Chair, Secretary and Treasure were elected and a Local Trusted
Organisation was appointed to hold the funds and support the steering group. The name of
the area was also changed to Riverside Community Big Local.
The ethos of the steering group is to use the skills of local residents and volunteers to be the
driving force behind Riverside Community Big Local. It was felt that this would promote
ownership of the project and build engagement, rather than employing a worker which
could lead to a distance growing between the project and the local community. The
steering group met in a variety of local community venues to move the meeting around the
area
Page 3
Members of the steering group drafted a survey which was taken to a number of
community events in winter 2013 and spring 2014.House to house surveys were also carried
out to build a picture of the needs and aspirations of the community. The school council of
the local primary academy used a cut down version of the questionnaire to gain the views of
the entire school.
Having identified five themes from the first survey, those attending the steering group
under took a larger second survey in summer 2014 to gain feedback and a sense of the
priorities. A profile was then created to provide a picture of our area, its assets, its needs
and its future ambitions (see appendix 2)
Following this there was a partnership day to examine the priorities and current suggestions
to produce an in-depth list of possibilities.
The Vision and Priorities are shown on page 5 and the suggestions from the partnership day
on pages 6 to 8
Communications
At a very early stage the steering group set up a Riverside Community Big Local website,
Facebook page and Twitter account, all of this being achieved using the skills of members of
the steering group. Branding was seen as important so a logo was chosen via consultation
and designed by local people, and a vision statement created to summarise the intent of
Riverside Community Big Local. Next a series of promotional items were identified and
purchased to convey the message. All the graphic design work was done by members of the
community. At each stage a press release was drawn up, approved and sent out, with all
being carried by some of the local media. Throughout the process a database of contacts
was being maintained and growing.
Star People
Alongside the research and work to create the profile and raise awareness of Riverside
Community Big Local, the availability of the Star people awards from UnLtd was being
promoted. Prior to the forming of the partnership three people have been successful in
bidding for Do-It awards bringing over £10,000 into the community.
The Partnership
The principles adopted when forming the partnership followed the existing ethos, in that
the partnership was open to all and that there would be an attempt to be a body that
reflected the diversity of the community. The formation of the partnership was at an open
meeting held in the centre of the area in December 2014.
The structure of the partnership, constitution, values and operating principles are available
as a separate document which is appendix 3.
Page 4
Partners
The following are seen as partners with Riverside Community Big Local and there are
personal contacts between partnership members and the following:•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Thurrock Adult Community College
Thurrock Council
Job Centre plus
Thameside Academy
Orchard Forum
Seabrooke Rise Community House
Thurrock Asian Association
Thurrock CVS
Lightship Cafe
Bar-n-Bus
All Saints (John Street)
Thurrock African Group
TRUST Thurrock Racial Unity Support Taskgroup
Little Thurrock Forum
Ngage - Volunteer Centre Thurrock
And there is also a working relationship via personnel contacts with
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Thurrock Association of Forum
Thurrock Eastern European Community Group
Metal
Thurrock Art Trail
Kinetika
Thurrock Faith Forum
Transformation Thurrock
Tai Chi for Health (Essex)
The Priorities
The vision of “Together building our community for the future” forms the backdrop to the
priorities that emerged via the research and surveys. These priorities were evident in the
first engagement exercise where the public made their aspirations known, and have served
to reinforce the initial themes that have run through the entire project, through to the
outcomes of the research.
The final priorities, that form part of the profile, are:-
Page 5
1. Create and or enhance a sense of community across the area
2. Create opportunities for business start-ups especially social entrepreneurs in the
area
3. Provide a sense of identity through a range of activities
4. Provide activities for young people especially those that raise aspirations
5. Create ways in which Riverside Community will be sustainable beyond the 10 years
life of Big Local
These come from the output of the surveys, after those items that are outside of the Big
Local remit are removed, they are the items that the residents felt most strongly about.
Lists of Possibilities
The suggestions from the partnership day on how to address the priorities are shown below
The linkages are shown by the reference in italics after each point
Priority 1 - Create and/or enhance a sense of community across the area
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
p)
q)
r)
s)
t)
u)
v)
Develop a local based Time Bank 3f
Community markets (by local community)
Overall coordinator who knows all the local services and how to utilise them
Community ambassadors (weavers) 2h,2j,2k
Local website – different languages, involve cultures in production of the website and
involve residents 3a, 2j
Local radio – regular slot time (Steve Lonsdale)
“Say hello to your neighbour day”
Community recycling - £50 per ton for tin cans 2m
Grays carnival (currently defunct) 1v,1n,3b,3e,3g
pop-up shops (at different locations)
Use our marquee to spread our 'spirit'
Community cleaner
Big lunch 1v, 1n, 3b, 3e, 3i, 4k
Thurrock festival – whole of Thurrock? 1v,3b,3e,3g
Street festival in town – run TICC?
Street parties – local Big Lunches?
Community clean-up – happening in Orchard Forum
Encourage Forum attendance –( How?)
Involvement in school activities (fetes, open days etc)
Targeting specific groups (young parents, elderly.....)
Community Memories Boards with information (bid for funds) 1n
Thurrock 100 – be part of the 100 groups – Walking, Health & Wellbeing, Community
Cohesion 1i, 1n, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3g
Page 6
2. Create opportunities for business start-ups especially by social entrepreneurs in the
area
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
Resource centre (Business admin/accounts/legal etc) 2c
Mapping exercise 2f, 2i
Micro-business fund 2a, 2e, 3a,5e
Confidence/aspiration building
Mentor/buddy scheme (using local entrepreneurs) 2b
Ideas bank – resource centre – info pack 2g
Dream forum for spending the £1 million 2f
Start-up support Community weavers/group network (time bank) 1d
Community needs analysis
Community magazine to promote all of above 3a,1e,1f
Facilitate current services/training available- promotion/filling the gaps
Raise awareness – ambassadors to promote 1d,2h
Community recycling 1h
3. Provide a sense of identity through a range of activities
a) Magazine/website – sell advertising, delivery twillies (signpost, ask for input from
Grays memories – bid – employment – training, Output – sign on River front, in
parks, buildings Big Lunch – promote local, Big cohesion, Involve cultural groups e.g
Nepalese 1e,2j
b) Local festival – talk to Jan Cole. Involve schools and groups e.g dance schools
(because this brings people and different cultures together. 1n, 1v, 3e, 3g
c) Tour De Riverside – cycling, walking, running etc. 3e
d) Skills swops 1a, 3f
e) Thurrock 100 – be one of the 100 early adopter group 1n, 1v, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3g
f) Mini time bank for area 1a, 3d
g) Keep fit activities @ EROS – Sunday afternoon (talk to Trevor re-walking classes)
1v,3e
h) Dog training
i) Revive neighbourliness
j) Best window box, best from gardens, best planter competitions. Best indoor ? Best ?
k) Street reps
l) Winter lights competitions
4. Provide activities for young people, especially those that raise aspirations
a) Guest speaker (inspirational)
b) Workshops to develop / increase aspirations – opportunities for developing life-skills
(provide information / taster sessions)
c) Opportunities to take youngsters abroad to provide wider experiences of other
countries
d) Range of job opportunities and work experience
e) Ask the young people for their ideas
f) Provide volunteer opportunities
g) Link with the Prince's Trust
h) Involve 19/21 year olds to understand what works well for them 2c,2i
Page 7
i) Series of classes/workshops to develop skills e.g develop apps 2c,2h
j) Guest speakers from within the area to talk in schools/community forums
k) Linking up with other local organisations
5. Create ways in which Riverside Community will be sustainable beyond the 10 year life of
Big Local
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Create business to generate income
Brand must be acknowledged with all projects with good audit procedures
Build and rent homes
Sell Riverside as a concept
Thurrock Enterprise agency model
Peer lending
Open up Riverside for others to visit and see – (possible charge or funds bid)
Explore credit union best practice
The Plan and Projects
The principles that have been followed through the development of the Riverside
Community Big Local are
o
o
o
o
Act as change agents not just buy stuff
Where possible look for matched funding
Create linkages and build networks to be effective not isolationist
Support local and encourage the sticky / magnetic money principle
These principles have been enshrined in the Plan as we develop projects to address the
priorities. Not all projects in our Plan will need Big Local funding but may need support from
the Riverside Community.
Many of the start up projects for a Big Local have already been completed in the steering
group phase. These include such things as:- a website, social media presence and
awareness raising materials.
The projects that form the first two years of the Riverside Community Big Local are all
opportunities that have presents themselves and match with the priorities and the
expanded possibilities. They also are a very good match with the underlying the ethos of
Riverside Community.
Projects to be included in the Plan for 2015 and 2016 are:• Micro Enterprise Start-ups
• Grays Memories
• Grays Big Lunch
• Community Magazine / Website
• Thurrock 100
• Open Space Improvement Project
• Village Beach Festival
• Partnership Support
• Time Bank
These projects and their reason for inclusion in the plan are detailed on following pages
Page 8
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further
information
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Micro Enterprise Start up
2 , 3 and 5 especially 2c, 2e, 2a, 2l, 5a, 5d, 5g
Project to create a ring-fenced loan fund to support residents looking to start
up their own businesses. This project will provide opportunity for business
start-up for residents in the RCBL area and create a sense of community. We
would look to work locally to provide a start-up space and create a hub for
entrepreneurs. As the loans are paid back this will recycle the money to help
further start-ups and a lasting legacy in the area.
A pilot scheme run by HACT and CDFA enabling local funding to be almost
trebled.
30 or more micro enterprises receive funding, mentoring and training
Allow the possibility of setting up a new start up hub
A wellbeing value of £11,588 per individual
Based on wellbeing valuation techniques, the total social impact is forecast
to be £520,354 from an initial investment of up to £62,500 from RCBL
Some funding would go outside RCBL area
Loans paid back generate further income for other micro enterprises
Funding committed end of April 2015
Awareness and application May to August
Project running September 2015
Up to £62,500
HACT to be LTO for this project
Talk with Thurrock Adult Community College re hosting hub as in BL area
Timescale to make money available
http://www.hact.org.uk/start-micro-enterprise
Grays Big Lunch
1,3,4 and 5 via 1m, 1v, 1n, 3b, 3e, 3i, 4k
Currently this is a council run event which due to the cuts they are looking to
outsource completely in 2016. At present it is primarily an information
sharing event at which mainly council related services show cased. It will
provide an opportunity for the community to take ownership of the event
and show case what is happening in the community. RCBL have used this
event for the past two years for awareness raising. It is the intention to look
at how this can become self funding and so be a legacy event.
It provides a specific project for the Grays memories and community
magazine
It does not embrace the concept of Big Lunch as such, though people do
bring their lunch to eat.
Provides a platform for community ventures to be showcased
Provides a networking event
Raises awareness of RCBL
Becomes self sustaining as activities at future events generate income
Event this year is 29th of July 2015
Planning for July 2016 event will start in February 2016
Max expenditure of £3000 per annum
Chair to meet with Council Lead and evaluate the possibility, as suggested by
council of a handover year and running the event from 2016
Closeness of time to Village Beach Festival on 18th of July 2016, though
different focus, and targeted at whole of Thurrock
Page 9
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further
information
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further
Information
Thurrock 100
1 and 3 via 1i, 1n, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3g
This is a council funded initiative via Public Health, building on a walking
event in 2014. Ten walks, each 10 miles in length will be created across
Thurrock.
There is the possibility of RCBL becoming one of the pilot areas
It is seen as a health initiative to encourage outdoor exercise, building
towards a walking carnival in 2016-17
Has the potential for creating micro enterprise but later in the program
Create a route starting and finishing in RCBL
Walking group breaking social isolation and crossing cultures
Building community spirit
From now onwards
The first event is the walking of the main flags to the Village Beach Festival at
Grays Beach Park which is part of the BL area. This occurs on 18th July 2015
Time in meetings planning with sponsors
At present no financial commitment
Suggest allocate budget of up to £1000 for 2015
Joined planning group
Identify places of interest
Contact local school
https://www.facebook.com/Thurrock100
http://www.kinetikaonline.co.uk/
http://www.alipretty.com/ali-to-present-thurrock100-at-culture-change/
Village Beach Festival
1,3 and 4 via 1n, 1v,3b, 3e, 3g, 4f, 4i, 4k
This is a joint event organised by Metal and Thurrock Council replacing T-Fest
it is an event to raise awareness of creativity
It is being held at Grays Beach Park which is the middle the Big Local Area
It will have a number of stages and arenas
There are specific areas for young people and opportunities to encourage
residents of RCBL to showcase their talents
It provides a specific project for the Grays memories and community
magazine
Build community cohesion by involving diverse community groups
Raise awareness of Big Local
Run a community cafe
Planning already started
Event due 18th of July 2015
Time
Personnel
At present no financial; commitment
suggest allocate budget of up to £1000 for 2015 and 2016
Talk with organisers (completed)
Find out if there are pitch costs
Build support for community cafe
Steel the thunder of Big Lunch event
http://www.metalculture.com/event/village-green-2014/
Page 10
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further
Information
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further
Information
Time Bank
1,3, and 4 via 1a, 3d, 3d, 4f
Create a mini time bank for the Riverside Community Big Local
Which could create community cohesion and help cross cultural divides.
Provide opportunities for intergenerational interaction
Allowing for skill swaps,
Builds a sense of community
Promotion event 28th of Feb 2015
No financial resources needed
Suggest a budget of £500 for promotion for 2015
Attend meeting
Set up mini time bank
Register friends of RCBL
Promote
http://www.hourworld.org/bank/?hw=1442
Grays Memories
1, 3, 4 and 5 via 1t, 1u, 3a, 4f
To create a historical memory of the development of Grays
To create community spirit and celebrate what has happened
Provide opportunities for intergenerational interaction
To link in the memories and experiences of those who came to Grays from
another county
Sign posts to what has happened in the Area
Creates a sense of community
Brings the area to life
Bids need to be submitted March April 2015?
Links building April/May
Time
Personnel
Initial budget suggest £1000 for 2015 and 2016
Contact Annie O’Brian (booked)
Contact facebook admin for the closed group
Research possibility of bidding for funds
Build? links to colleges
Finding a partner organisation to bid for funds
Linking to Thurrock 100 and Village Beach festival
Page 11
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further Info
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further Info
Title
Priorities it meets
Summary
Outcomes
Timescale
Resources
Actions
Concerns
Further Info
Community Magazine / Website
1,3 and 4 via 3a, 1c, 1u, 4f,
To raise the awareness of the RCBL
To create a sense of community
To provide an outlet for creativity
To be a community voice
To be the ‘go to’ place for information on the area
To foster the sense of community
To bridge the cultural divides in the area
4 member of the partnership enrolled on the Community Journalism: Digital
and Social Media run by Cardiff University
No specifics at this point
Use of existing website
2016 upgrade website £2000
Set up an editorial team
Expand the access to Website and Facebook
Build on links with existing local media
Open Space Improvement Project
1h, 1q, 2m, 3g, 4f, 4g
To undertake an audit of open spaces in the area, assess their quality and
fitness for purpose and to suggest a programme of improvements. To train
residents to enable them to undertake the audits
To increase interest in open spaces
Enable residents to take control of local improvements
Create a sense of community
Provide open spaces that meet the needs of the local community
Start audit work autumn 2015
Budget for training, audit and creation of strategy £3000. Cost of
improvements unknown; provide £10,000 in year 2 to undertake
improvements
Get quotes April /May 2015 and appoint consultant
Recruit volunteers to help with open space audit summer 2015
Similar project to that completed by Slade Green BL
Partnership Support
Supports all priorities
To employ a support worker as deemed necessary by board
To raise awareness of RCBL
To increase the number of residents involved in local projects
To monitor impact of RCBL activities
Recruit summer 2015
Budget estimate £18000
Agree job description and number of hours support needed
Agree recruitment process with LTO
Page 12
Big Local Budget
April 2015 to March 2017
Project
Micro Enterprise Start up
Grays Big Lunch
Thurrock 100
Village Beach Festival
Time Bank
Grays Memories
Community Magazine / Website
Open Space Improvement Project
Partnership Support
Other project development
Total
Year 1
Year 2
Total
£62,500
£0 £62,500.00
£1,300
£3,000
£4,300.00
£1,000
£1,000
£2,000.00
£1,000
£0
£1,000.00
£500
£0
£500.00
£1,000
£1,000
£2,000.00
£0
£2,000
£2,000.00
£3000
£10000
£13000.00
£18,000
£18,500 £36,500.00
£10,000
£10,000 £20,000.00
£98,300.00 £45,500.00 £143,800.00
Page 13