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And welcome to the first update magazine about Neighbourhood Challenge in Newark! Our aim is to bring you all the news and projects as they happen in your community. You may have met Alex, Nick, Stephen or Alexa on your doorstep! We have been listening to you talk about the • things you really love about where you live, the things that concern you, and what your vision is for the future of Newark and Holy Trinity Parish. Residents and parishioners have then been working with their friends and neighbours to make that change happen! Our team has been supporting residents with big ideas on a number of exciting projects (some of which you can find in this issue!)
So enjoy, we hope you get informed, inspired and, (more importantly we think) involved!
1 What’s been
Happening in Newark? 2 In the Pipeline Classes in HT School *ICT *Extreme Workshops *Community Café *Football at the Pavilion
3 Holy Trinity and RE:generate Partnership 4 National Developments 5 Get Involved! “It has been a great privilege to be involved, albeit on the periphery, in the neighbourhood challenge project. One particular success that I would like to highlight… Many say ‘Don’t forget the youth they are our future’ -‐ what a load of twaddle! They are our present, the here and now and seeing so many young people really enjoying themselves at Family Night in the centre is fantastic – a night put together for them by them.
This success should not be too surprising to any of us, all the team did was ask a simple question ‘What do you want to do?’ listened to the answer and made it happen!! I suggest we keep asking them and many more groups and individuals to enable us to build an even stronger community for us all to live in.”
Patrick Fisher, Managing Director Beaumond House
Holy Trinity parishioners, both parents and young people voiced the need for somewhere for families to meet and catch up!
In June a group of 17 people both adults and young people met to discuss what they wanted for their families and friends. There were few options for the young people and their families. Younger members present made it clear that “youth group” had negative connotations. From this first meeting the idea of FAMILY Fridays was born! Overall it was decided that people wanted to be able to meet with family and both their friends, and go somewhere which they could call their own. Family Fridays has become a place where their opinions matter.
P ROJECT IN B RIEF : - Every Friday Night at Holy Trinity Community and Partnership centre. - 7.30pm – 10.30pm - Bar, tuck shop, snacks, pool, table tennis, bingo and other activities!
Since the first evening these events have increased in with new attendees each week, including some of the less active members of the Parish Community. In addition to this, 4 new people have been trained as bar staff, and 4 others people have volunteered their time collecting glasses.
We also have a resident bingo caller and a quiz master. Attendees and volunteers take it in turns to make or bring food and then there are several people produce quizzes or wordsearches to be used each week. Numbers have ranged from 35-‐80 and the age ranges from 18 months to 70+ years! Everyone is welcome to attend, a family or children are not necessary. There are people from all sorts of backgrounds and there are always a variety of activities on offer, suitable for anyone and everyone! Open every Friday from 7.30pm until 10.30pm Everyone welcome. Come down and join in the fun, meet new friends!
During Masses in the summer the Parish listening team were Commissioned by Father Michael. Since then the team have had several meetings and have moved forwards with sessions of Listening after Mass. They listen in a variety of different ways; 1-‐2-‐1 sessions, couples or families chatting together or larger groups of people discussing what matters to them about the Parish and the wider community of Newark. Also during these sessions after Masses people can leave their details with either parish listening team or one of the community animators so that they can follow up with them at a time which is more convenient.
P ROJECT IN B RIEF : - P EOPLE FROM H OLY T RINITY P ARISH HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO FOLLOW THE ROOT SOLUTION LISTENING MATTERS
- P ARISHIONERS ARE ENGAGING WITH THIS PROJECT AND COMING FORWARD TO START TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE COMMUNITY
Project in Brief: - contact points for people in the parish who feel isolated alone
Several members of an existing Parish group had mentioned a lack of provision for people who are suffering loss. This could include the loss of a job, a change in circumstances, bereavement or feeling of isolation from the Parish or wider community. These parishioners decided to extend a helping hand and a listening ear to those individuals. Sometimes it is the most basic and simple contact that people value the most. The members go to people’s houses if they are unable/find it difficult to leave the house. They will also simply meet people for coffee and a chat.
At an introductory meeting between RE:generate and Parishioners, there were a couple of enthusiastic individuals that were interested in the project but said, “I’m sorry we don’t meet your criteria, we are NG23!” And so the project spread!
On 17th September residents of Carlton organised a luncheon club/history meeting. Village residents from different parts and varied backgrounds brought photographs and memorabilia to share with others. People were able to share their histories in small groups whilst enjoying beautiful homemade soup and sandwiches. Over 35 Carlton-‐on-‐Trent Residents attended and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. During conversations between village residents other ideas developed for future projects such as the development of outside play facilities for children. Ideas for more projects in The Carlton Conversation has Carlton: not only brought parishioners * Run a similar meeting in the together with the wider evening for people who can’t community taken the attend during the day. Neighbourhood Challenge * Have a visit to “the big house” project to new areas of possibly with a tea party and period Newark. fancy dress.
Community Cafe A group of like-‐minded people have come together to set up a community café for those who don’t want to go out to a pub or bar but want somewhere to meet up and socialise with friends. The coffee culture is active in larger towns and cities in the UK and they think Newark is ready for it! ICT Classes
Volunteers have come forward to start classes for older people or for those who require more involved teaching time. Holy Trinity Primary School has generously offered the use of their facilities for the group. If you are interested in either taking part in this programme or helping to run it please contact us.
Are you aged between 10 an Have you got a project
EXTREME
Whiteway - IDEAS FACTORY
Have you got a project idea that will change you, your street, Newark or even the world? If so get in touch and take part in the Newark Extreme, and get the tools to do it! Time and date TBC. Social Entrepreneurs can and do change the world. As a Newark resident, have you got what it takes?
Want to find out more, or get involved in the project? Well, get in touch..! All details can be found on the ‘get involved’ page.
Social Entrepreneurs DO change
Beginning in March 2011, the partnership was formed to win funding from NESTA and BIG Lottery for a pilot Neighbourhood challenge scheme…. National Interest and Movements with Neighbourhood Challenge
Nationally the Neighbourhood Challenge project in Newark is seen as both a success and an exemplar of innovation.
RE:generate are currently leading with partners on the National Community Organiser programme, a commitment by Government to train 5000 people to do exactly what Alex, Alexa, Caroline and the Parish listening team are already doing! This brings great opportunity to Newark as all eyes are eagerly on this project to see what the outcomes are of listening, building trust and supporting people to take action in their communities.
A lot has been expected in a year, and a national level people are learning from this programme. They are recognising the important fact that relationships which are deep, meaningful and which lead to transformation take a long time build. They are also recognising that limited time frames make long lasting sustainable outcomes more of a challenge. However this a challenge which people on the ground are clearly stepping up to. Holy Trinity are working with RE:generate to empower people and local groups both in the parish and the community. We are also working with Newark and Sherwood Town and District Council looking for resources to create and sustain community projects to the area.
Newark is your town... so make your voice heard! You can complete our listening matters form online at www.welovenewark.org.uk Or contact one of the team, their details are at the back of the magazine.
Contact Alex, Alexa or Nick with any new project ideas, and they will give you all the help and advice needed to get started! You can also contact them if you are interested in finding out more, or getting involved in any existing projects that have been featured in this Neighbourhood Challenge Update!
CO N TACTS TO CUT-O UT-AN D-KEEP NICK GARDHAM: Nick is the Project Director for Newark. T: 07738 428 521 Nicholas.gardham@regeneratetrust.org
ALEX BROMPTON: Alex is our resident Community Animator for Newark. 07774 005 444 alex.brompton@regeneratetrust.org
ALEXA BELLINGHAM: Alexa is a visiting Community Animator from Bath working closely with Nick and Alex in Newark. 07771 778 196 alexa @regeneratetrust.org
www.welovenewark.org.uk
We welcome you to contact us. -‐ Give us feedback on this magazine (what’s good? What’s not so good? What needs including?) -‐ Send us your community photos, reviews, artwork and pictures. -‐ Write an article to be published in the magazine. Drop by Holy Trinity Presbytery, Boundary Road (Tue-‐Thu 1 -‐ 4pm Fri 11 -‐ 2pm) OR contact us using the contact details provided. If you are interested in our work as a charity and with the Community Organiser Programme, then check out details at: www.regeneratetrust.org