Basilson FST community worker making an impact
Posted on Fri 05 August 2011
Case study: Wickford CVS Awarded £209,000 over 3 years
The Community Development Manager (CDM) has been working within the Fair Share Trust area since 2006. The aim of the project is to empower the local community by supporting their successful development and involvement in local activities. The CDM has made real progress and from the start the panel have recognised that the legacy of the project will be how the community take the lead after the CDM project ends in December 2011. Below are just two examples of how attitudes are changing and people are becoming more involved as a result of the CDM.
Resident survey
The CDM recently conducted a successful resident survey (40% response rate) to understand local need - this follows on from a Planning for Real exercise which took place in 2005. A Prize Draw was used as an incentive to encourage local residents to participate. The prize was won by a local resident, who then promptly donated the funds to British Heart Foundation. A panel member who knew the winner personally said this generosity of spirit was extraordinary as 5 years ago the winner would have spent the money in the pub; he believed the donation was a testament to the work of the CDM and how local attitudes have changed.
Community events
The CDM regularly organises community events which take a lot of planning time and resources, and so has been concerned how residents may take on this challenge. After the successful Family Fun Day in September 2010 two residents M & H approached the CDM to propose another event in Dec 2010, a Queen’s Park Christmas Family Fun Day. After months of planning the event took place on the 18th December 2010, at Hannakins Farm Community Centre.
Community giving
M is very good with computers and designed the fliers and posters for the event, which were used for promotion. The expenses were paid by the Fair Share Trust Programme in Billericay, from the events budget. M & H volunteered during the Family Fun Day in September and ran a free tea and coffee station, the CDM proposed they could organise it again for the Christmas event. It was only after the event that the CDM realised the residents had paid £300 of expenses from their own pockets to cover coffees, teas, cups etc. in order to provide free drinks for the visitors. When asked why they didn’t ask for expenses, M & H replied that they were happy to contribute to the event for all the community and to give support in any way they could. M & H currently live outside Queens Park; they have a child and plan on moving to Queens Park as soon as possible to be even more involved into the community. This is a real testament to increasing community spirit and potential volunteers to follow on from the CDM’s achievements.