Community engagement
How to..empower the community
Cleaner, Safer, Greener, ODPM, 2005
Case studies:
Young people
Biker crew
Parked
Video Voice Project
Vocational training
Young people's meeting point
Offenders
Albert Park and the Restorative Prison Project
Community consultation and involvement
Community engagement
Lambeth Parks and Green Space Strategic Plan
Park refurbishment programme
Ethnic minorities
Growing Together
Promoting equal access and opportunities
Learning about the culture of others
Involvement of schools
Kingsland New Primary School
Norton Primary School
Newham Community Project
Eco Club
Wandsworth school grounds biodiversity action plan
Young people
Biker crew
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
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Contact:
Site name:
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Contact:
Stockport MBC
Brabyns Park
Marple, Stockport
Young people in the area planned, developed and managed their own mountain bike and BMX track in a corner of the park as a result of concerns from local people about inappropriate bike use in the park. Staff from local mountain bike shops supported the young people as well as assisting in event delivery. Stockport Community Voluntary Service was closely involved. The young people gained in experience and confidence and received Millennium Volunteer Awards. As a result, perceptions of young people were greatly improved throughout the community. The council are now working in partnership on similar projects with the youth service, the corporate youth strategy team and other youth providers.
Fiona Mather (Development Officer) T: 0161 474 4418
Brabyns Park
Marple, Stockport
Young people in the area planned, developed and managed their own mountain bike and BMX track in a corner of the park as a result of concerns from local people about inappropriate bike use in the park. Staff from local mountain bike shops supported the young people as well as assisting in event delivery. Stockport Community Voluntary Service was closely involved. The young people gained in experience and confidence and received Millennium Volunteer Awards. As a result, perceptions of young people were greatly improved throughout the community. The council are now working in partnership on similar projects with the youth service, the corporate youth strategy team and other youth providers.
Fiona Mather (Development Officer) T: 0161 474 4418
Parked
Partners:
Site name:
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Cambridge City Council
Various
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Consultation carried out during 1999 for the parks and open spaces Best Value Service Review, identified parks as being unsociable and this was a key deterrent to usage. Young people in particular found parks unfriendly places with little to offer if you do not like sport and are not under ten years of age. The 'Parked' project was funded by the city councils priority development programme to help overcome these perceptions, and it consisted of art-based activity workshops culminating in a final exhibition and installation. This project facilitated participation in the arts and encouraged the use of parks for play and entertainment, as well as making the parks a safer and more enjoyable place to be. The project enabled free expression and artistic development, and ensured the arts lottery fund could be used to support and develop the scheme, whilst stimulating interest in parks and creating ownership towards local open spaces.
Alistair Wilson T: 01223 457546
Various
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Consultation carried out during 1999 for the parks and open spaces Best Value Service Review, identified parks as being unsociable and this was a key deterrent to usage. Young people in particular found parks unfriendly places with little to offer if you do not like sport and are not under ten years of age. The 'Parked' project was funded by the city councils priority development programme to help overcome these perceptions, and it consisted of art-based activity workshops culminating in a final exhibition and installation. This project facilitated participation in the arts and encouraged the use of parks for play and entertainment, as well as making the parks a safer and more enjoyable place to be. The project enabled free expression and artistic development, and ensured the arts lottery fund could be used to support and develop the scheme, whilst stimulating interest in parks and creating ownership towards local open spaces.
Alistair Wilson T: 01223 457546
Video Voice Project
Partners:
Site name:
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Site name:
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Contact:
London Borough of Islington
Gillespie Park
Islington, North London
Gillespie Park and an adjacent newly built residential estate experienced an increase in vandalism. In order to counteract this effect, the Video Voice outreach project was set up to encourage young people to consider what they and the local community wanted from the park. The project linked with the Youth & Play Service and the local Housing Association, and the video created highlighted messages from local young people about what they wanted and this included the creation of a youth club, improved safety in an adjacent garage site and redevelopment of the play area. The project had various results including a major reduction in localised arson and vandalism, a greater sense of ownership among users and creation of partnerships between the community and the Council.
Sarah Tibbatts T: 0207 354 5162
Gillespie Park
Islington, North London
Gillespie Park and an adjacent newly built residential estate experienced an increase in vandalism. In order to counteract this effect, the Video Voice outreach project was set up to encourage young people to consider what they and the local community wanted from the park. The project linked with the Youth & Play Service and the local Housing Association, and the video created highlighted messages from local young people about what they wanted and this included the creation of a youth club, improved safety in an adjacent garage site and redevelopment of the play area. The project had various results including a major reduction in localised arson and vandalism, a greater sense of ownership among users and creation of partnerships between the community and the Council.
Sarah Tibbatts T: 0207 354 5162
Vocational training
Partners:
Site name:
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Roots and Shoots
The Wildlife Garden
Lambeth, South London
Roots and Shoots is a charity based in Lambeth devoted to vocational training, environmental education and urban conservation. It provides this training and work experience placements for disadvantaged young people, often with learning difficulties, to give them skills and self-confidence to equip them for work. Alongside this training they aim to involve local schools and the wider community by establishing their site as an important environmental and social resource. The site has an extensive wildlife and community garden which regularly plays host to visits from local schools. Also home to various community buildings, the site’s two glasshouses provide opportunities for work placements and allow the growing of plants, the sale of which provides a valuable and significant income for the charity.
David Perkins T: 020 7587 1131
The Wildlife Garden
Lambeth, South London
Roots and Shoots is a charity based in Lambeth devoted to vocational training, environmental education and urban conservation. It provides this training and work experience placements for disadvantaged young people, often with learning difficulties, to give them skills and self-confidence to equip them for work. Alongside this training they aim to involve local schools and the wider community by establishing their site as an important environmental and social resource. The site has an extensive wildlife and community garden which regularly plays host to visits from local schools. Also home to various community buildings, the site’s two glasshouses provide opportunities for work placements and allow the growing of plants, the sale of which provides a valuable and significant income for the charity.
David Perkins T: 020 7587 1131
Young people's meeting point
Partners:
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Telford and Wrekin Council
Donnington Recreation Ground
Telford, Shropshire
An audit of local needs and a rise in the number of offences relating to anti-social behaviour by young people in the area prompted this initiative to consult young people about providing a place for them to meet to socialise. The project was managed by a young persons group and it involved young people consulting the community through questionnaires, raising funds and designing seating and shelters. The group was partnered by the Council's Youth and Landscape teams as well as Community Safety Partnership, and West Mercia Constabulary are monitoring the project to assess its effect on local crime rates and anti-social behaviour. The project provided a place for young people to meet and facilitated some skills learning; it has enhanced community relations and developed young peoples' ownership of the site; and has helped to ensure a reduction in vandalism, graffiti, crime and residents' fear of crime.
Derek Owen T: 0195 220 2408
Donnington Recreation Ground
Telford, Shropshire
An audit of local needs and a rise in the number of offences relating to anti-social behaviour by young people in the area prompted this initiative to consult young people about providing a place for them to meet to socialise. The project was managed by a young persons group and it involved young people consulting the community through questionnaires, raising funds and designing seating and shelters. The group was partnered by the Council's Youth and Landscape teams as well as Community Safety Partnership, and West Mercia Constabulary are monitoring the project to assess its effect on local crime rates and anti-social behaviour. The project provided a place for young people to meet and facilitated some skills learning; it has enhanced community relations and developed young peoples' ownership of the site; and has helped to ensure a reduction in vandalism, graffiti, crime and residents' fear of crime.
Derek Owen T: 0195 220 2408
Offenders
Albert Park and the Restorative Prison Project
Partners:
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Middlesbrough Council
Albert Park
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Middlesbrough Council is currently implementing a £4.5m project to restore Albert Park in central Middlesbrough, Teesside. As part of this regeneration, an innovative partnership with three local prisons has meant that offenders have been centrally involved in the process. This national pilot project is pioneering the concept of restorative justice, allowing the prisoners to contribute tangible benefits to the community. It is hoped that the Albert Park project will act as a model of good management for the development of relationships between prisons and the community, both in this country and abroad. The concept of RPP is receiving large amounts of interest, both nationally, and internationally.
Paul Rabbits (Neighbourhood Development Manager)
T: 01642 515 616
Albert Park
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Middlesbrough Council is currently implementing a £4.5m project to restore Albert Park in central Middlesbrough, Teesside. As part of this regeneration, an innovative partnership with three local prisons has meant that offenders have been centrally involved in the process. This national pilot project is pioneering the concept of restorative justice, allowing the prisoners to contribute tangible benefits to the community. It is hoped that the Albert Park project will act as a model of good management for the development of relationships between prisons and the community, both in this country and abroad. The concept of RPP is receiving large amounts of interest, both nationally, and internationally.
Paul Rabbits (Neighbourhood Development Manager)
T: 01642 515 616
Community consultation and involvement
Community engagement
Partners:
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Kent County Council
White Horse Wood Country Park
Detling, Kent
Kent County Council's new country park development took its first step by appointing Tim Owen as the Park Manager. Tim realised that for the park to be a success he must try to engage and give ownership to the local community. To do this, a number of community consultations were set up to initiate a partnership between the council and the communities involved. These meetings proved vital as they highlighted the possible conflicts in user groups and identified possible solutions. The development has tried to engage these groups at every point and as such Kent County Council have created a park that is greatly valued by all the local community.
Tim Owen (Park Manager) T: 01622 817623
White Horse Wood Country Park
Detling, Kent
Kent County Council's new country park development took its first step by appointing Tim Owen as the Park Manager. Tim realised that for the park to be a success he must try to engage and give ownership to the local community. To do this, a number of community consultations were set up to initiate a partnership between the council and the communities involved. These meetings proved vital as they highlighted the possible conflicts in user groups and identified possible solutions. The development has tried to engage these groups at every point and as such Kent County Council have created a park that is greatly valued by all the local community.
Tim Owen (Park Manager) T: 01622 817623
Lambeth Parks and Green Space Strategic Plan
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
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Contact:
Site name:
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Contact:
London Borough of Lambeth
Borough-wide
Lambeth, South London
The London Borough of Lambeth produced an innovative parks strategy, entitled the Lambeth Parks and Greenspace Strategic Plan, and it was tested through a comprehensive public consultation exercise. As stewards for landscape in the Borough of Lambeth, it was important for the Council to develop this strategy to ensure effective management and provision of resources for parks and green space, whilst incorporating the views of the local community.
Gideon Taylor (Landscape Manager) T: 0207 926 6216
Borough-wide
Lambeth, South London
The London Borough of Lambeth produced an innovative parks strategy, entitled the Lambeth Parks and Greenspace Strategic Plan, and it was tested through a comprehensive public consultation exercise. As stewards for landscape in the Borough of Lambeth, it was important for the Council to develop this strategy to ensure effective management and provision of resources for parks and green space, whilst incorporating the views of the local community.
Gideon Taylor (Landscape Manager) T: 0207 926 6216
Park refurbishment programme
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
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Site name:
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Oldham MBC
Various
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Oldham MBC developed a replacement for their 1995 parks strategy in 2001. As part of this, the Council has followed an innovative rolling programme of park regeneration, designed to create a comprehensive network of accessible, high quality and sustainable green space. They comprehensively refurbish a minimum of one park a year by focusing all capital monies on one park at a time. Twelve of their twenty-three parks across the ‘green estate’ have been completed, a direct result of the forming a single unit in the Council, the ‘Operational Services Unit’ which has responsibility for the development, improvement and maintenance of all open space under the authority’s control. It is a rare example of a parks service having a strategic planning role in an authority.
Steve Smith T: 0161 911 4642
Various
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Oldham MBC developed a replacement for their 1995 parks strategy in 2001. As part of this, the Council has followed an innovative rolling programme of park regeneration, designed to create a comprehensive network of accessible, high quality and sustainable green space. They comprehensively refurbish a minimum of one park a year by focusing all capital monies on one park at a time. Twelve of their twenty-three parks across the ‘green estate’ have been completed, a direct result of the forming a single unit in the Council, the ‘Operational Services Unit’ which has responsibility for the development, improvement and maintenance of all open space under the authority’s control. It is a rare example of a parks service having a strategic planning role in an authority.
Steve Smith T: 0161 911 4642
Ethnic minorities
Growing Together
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
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Contact:
Bristol City Council
Various
Bristol
This project targeted black and ethnic minority groups, who are under-represented in land-based trades. The project aimed to provide training and jobs for local people to create and maintain the green environment in the city, by providing horticultural training, establishing a community enterprise to take over inner city parks management services, and carry out environmental improvements. Funding of £380,000 of European Urban community initiative supported part of the project, and this was matched with Single Regeneration Budget, New Deal and Housing Renewal Fund. Initially, seventeen trainees joined the scheme and have completed a 12-month traineeship and obtained an NVQ 2 in amenity horticulture. Two trainees have established their own landscaping business, and further jobs will be created through the new community enterprise.
Peter Wilkinson (Head of Parks) T: 0117 922 3535
Various
Bristol
This project targeted black and ethnic minority groups, who are under-represented in land-based trades. The project aimed to provide training and jobs for local people to create and maintain the green environment in the city, by providing horticultural training, establishing a community enterprise to take over inner city parks management services, and carry out environmental improvements. Funding of £380,000 of European Urban community initiative supported part of the project, and this was matched with Single Regeneration Budget, New Deal and Housing Renewal Fund. Initially, seventeen trainees joined the scheme and have completed a 12-month traineeship and obtained an NVQ 2 in amenity horticulture. Two trainees have established their own landscaping business, and further jobs will be created through the new community enterprise.
Peter Wilkinson (Head of Parks) T: 0117 922 3535
Promoting equal access and opportunities
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Black Environment Network (BEN) , Northamptonshire County Council, Roots Environmental Network Northamptonshire (RENN)
Irchester Country Park
Wellingborough
The country park carried out a Mori poll which identified a lack of black and minority groups using the park. To address this situation the park staff underwent training carried out by BEN. This then lead to the creation of a ‘Think Day’ which encouraged staff to think about what they could do to encourage more ethnic groups to use the park. An open day was organised which invited selected individuals to attend. This then led to the formation of RENN, which continued to organise these events and encourage as many groups to visit the park as possible. They found that the park needed to become more welcoming, belonging and have something which each group could identify with. These events continue to be a great success and numbers of ethnic, disabled and young groups using the park continue to rise.
Freddie D’Souza (Countryside Officer) or 0160 423 7721
Irchester Country Park
Wellingborough
The country park carried out a Mori poll which identified a lack of black and minority groups using the park. To address this situation the park staff underwent training carried out by BEN. This then lead to the creation of a ‘Think Day’ which encouraged staff to think about what they could do to encourage more ethnic groups to use the park. An open day was organised which invited selected individuals to attend. This then led to the formation of RENN, which continued to organise these events and encourage as many groups to visit the park as possible. They found that the park needed to become more welcoming, belonging and have something which each group could identify with. These events continue to be a great success and numbers of ethnic, disabled and young groups using the park continue to rise.
Freddie D’Souza (Countryside Officer) or 0160 423 7721
Learning about the culture of others
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
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Contact:
Oakwell Hall Country Park, Cultural Services, Community Education Team
Oakwell Hall Country Park
Birstall, Batley
In order to address the wider issue of social inclusion, Oakwell Country Park adapted their annual ‘Apple Day’ to encompass a more ethnic theme. Two schools were chosen, one predominantly white, the other Asian. The objective of the project was to encourage local children to visit the park, to learn about both local and global harvests and to understand and appreciate each other’s culture. The event has, and continues to be a great success.
Eric Brown or 01924 326240
Oakwell Hall Country Park
Birstall, Batley
In order to address the wider issue of social inclusion, Oakwell Country Park adapted their annual ‘Apple Day’ to encompass a more ethnic theme. Two schools were chosen, one predominantly white, the other Asian. The objective of the project was to encourage local children to visit the park, to learn about both local and global harvests and to understand and appreciate each other’s culture. The event has, and continues to be a great success.
Eric Brown or 01924 326240
Involvement of schools
Kingsland New Primary School
Partners:
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PFI and Townsend Primary School
Kingsland Primary School
Stoke-on-Trent
Through Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, a new school is presently being built at Townsend Primary School that will accommodate the existing primary school, a nursery and a Surestart centre. The Environment team are helping the school to turn their ideas into exciting and practical solutions and are currently preparing sketch plans to inform the developers' architect. A naturalistic approach is preferred by the school including the provision of outdoor teaching areas, play features utilising natural materials such as trees and willow structures, seating areas for children accommodating steep slopes and the possibility of a play cave utilising an area of proposed retaining wall.
Annita Gibson, T: 01782 232556
Kingsland Primary School
Stoke-on-Trent
Through Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, a new school is presently being built at Townsend Primary School that will accommodate the existing primary school, a nursery and a Surestart centre. The Environment team are helping the school to turn their ideas into exciting and practical solutions and are currently preparing sketch plans to inform the developers' architect. A naturalistic approach is preferred by the school including the provision of outdoor teaching areas, play features utilising natural materials such as trees and willow structures, seating areas for children accommodating steep slopes and the possibility of a play cave utilising an area of proposed retaining wall.
Annita Gibson, T: 01782 232556
Norton Primary School
Partners:
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Contact:
Norton Primary School
Norton Primary School
Stoke-on-Trent
The Environment team assisted Norton Primary School in developing a memorial garden in a spare area of the school grounds early in 2004. Children and teaching staff were involved in suggesting ideas for the garden and detailed plans were developed to allow the scheme to be sent out to tender to potential contractors. The Environment team examined prices from three contractors, recommended a suitable choice to the school and administered work on site. The work is now complete providing pergolas, clematis covered archways, a bubbling water feature and seating areas to be used as a teaching resource and a peaceful garden area for relaxation and contemplation.
Annita Gibson, T: 01782 232556
Norton Primary School
Stoke-on-Trent
The Environment team assisted Norton Primary School in developing a memorial garden in a spare area of the school grounds early in 2004. Children and teaching staff were involved in suggesting ideas for the garden and detailed plans were developed to allow the scheme to be sent out to tender to potential contractors. The Environment team examined prices from three contractors, recommended a suitable choice to the school and administered work on site. The work is now complete providing pergolas, clematis covered archways, a bubbling water feature and seating areas to be used as a teaching resource and a peaceful garden area for relaxation and contemplation.
Annita Gibson, T: 01782 232556
Newham Community Project
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Newham Council, BTCV, Local community groups
Various
London Borough of Newham
The project linked with a range of groups including community centres, youth groups, residents’ associations, religious groups, schools, day-care centres and residential homes. The project found that a lot could be achieved when working with groups whose primary aim is not environmental. Most projects involve garden creation of some sort, and planting schemes are designed with wildlife in mind. The projects are carried out by the people who will benefit from them and ownership from the beginning helps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. To further ensure projects are sustained, garden club involving children and parents were set up. Arts projects such as tree dressing, dance and drama all help draw people in who might otherwise not get involved.
London Borough of Newham 020 8430 2000, BTCV Newham
020 8519 8275
Various
London Borough of Newham
The project linked with a range of groups including community centres, youth groups, residents’ associations, religious groups, schools, day-care centres and residential homes. The project found that a lot could be achieved when working with groups whose primary aim is not environmental. Most projects involve garden creation of some sort, and planting schemes are designed with wildlife in mind. The projects are carried out by the people who will benefit from them and ownership from the beginning helps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. To further ensure projects are sustained, garden club involving children and parents were set up. Arts projects such as tree dressing, dance and drama all help draw people in who might otherwise not get involved.
London Borough of Newham 020 8430 2000, BTCV Newham
020 8519 8275
Eco Club
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Local comprehensive school
Jews Wood
Plymouth
An informal partnership between a local comprehensive school, residents and the council was initiated in 1996 in response to a serious litter problem. BTCV acts as the facilitator, and co-ordinates work-days to undertake management of the woods. The school’s ‘Eco-club’ organises work and litter-picks for the pupils. This project successfully engages people to improve the site for wildlife opportunities as well as encouraging children to participate in caring for the local environment.
Eric Brown or 01924 326240
Jews Wood
Plymouth
An informal partnership between a local comprehensive school, residents and the council was initiated in 1996 in response to a serious litter problem. BTCV acts as the facilitator, and co-ordinates work-days to undertake management of the woods. The school’s ‘Eco-club’ organises work and litter-picks for the pupils. This project successfully engages people to improve the site for wildlife opportunities as well as encouraging children to participate in caring for the local environment.
Eric Brown or 01924 326240
Wandsworth school grounds biodiversity action plan
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London Borough of Wandsworth
Borough-wide location: Wandsworth, South London
London Borough of Newham
The Council held children’s fora to help feed into the biodiversity action planning process. Children from two primary schools decided upon their favourite animals in the borough (robins and hedgehogs) and with the help of the Nature Study Centre, they are looking at ways to encourage these species and monitor their numbers. Subsequently they have become flagship species for a school grounds’ habitat action plan for the borough, which is the first step towards implementing biodiversity action in schools across he borough.
Jenny Ullman (Chief Parks Officer) T: 020 8871 7530
Borough-wide location: Wandsworth, South London
London Borough of Newham
The Council held children’s fora to help feed into the biodiversity action planning process. Children from two primary schools decided upon their favourite animals in the borough (robins and hedgehogs) and with the help of the Nature Study Centre, they are looking at ways to encourage these species and monitor their numbers. Subsequently they have become flagship species for a school grounds’ habitat action plan for the borough, which is the first step towards implementing biodiversity action in schools across he borough.
Jenny Ullman (Chief Parks Officer) T: 020 8871 7530