Involving Local People, Sustaining Involvement & Building Community ‘Buy-In’

1. Involving Local People, Sustaining Involvement & Building Community ‘Buy-In’ Pauline Smith, Manager & Lynette McKechnie, Peoples Gateway Co-ordinator

2. What does involvement mean to Connect CT? • Local people delivering, taking part and leading in local services • Local people learning new skills or using existing skills to benefit them and others in the community • Local people supporting each other • Local people understanding the power that they and the community have in shaping their own future

3. How do we involve local people? • 4 facilities based in the heart of the community; each one different but compliment each other • From day 1 of opening each of the facilities local volunteers were in charge of services; Each activity has at least 1 volunteer some are fully volunteer run • Paid staff came eventually with many of the volunteers becoming paid • We operate over 80 different services per weekwith over 3000 people participating each week.

4. Just some of the types of volunteering Young helpers

5. BUT it’s not just about volunteering…. Community ‘Buy In’ is through taking part • KEY ELEMENTS OF COMMUNITY BUY IN: • We work throughout the generations; people need to see what’s in it for them • There is no eligibility criteria for any services; open door • We host showcase events; wider impact and attracts new clients • Delivered by local people; reduces the ‘not for the likes of me’ attitude that sometimes exists • Something for everyone; designed by and for the people that live in the area • We talk to people! All staff and volunteers understand how all services are linked together and nobody has just one job

6. Taking part…..over 3000 per week Dance Group; for young people but parents involved in costume making, attending showcase events • Services for people with disabilities • Incl. social groups, sports • Adult Services • Incl. Job Club, café, sports, • social nights • Elderly Services • Incl.Lunch Club, Walking • Youth Services; • Incl. clubs, sports, training • We utilise the power of the current participation • to encourage others to join. Lunch Club; for elderly residents but we market the youth and adult service throughout so they encourage their children/grandchildren Job Club; for the whole community and we promote all activities and opps through it.

7. The Peoples Gateway is aimed at, working with and for the benefit of local people and their community; offering a combined support service that will help people make positive steps for themselves, their family and the community – whatever their needs. Providing a first point of contact to CONNECT local people to opportunities

8. Job Clubs First point of contact…. Advice Guidance I.T Support Access to Training CV Writing Networking Volunteering opportunities Link to the wider Connect services available

9. Communications & Beliefs I.T Classes with John Wheatley College Heart Start Food Hygiene Emergency First Aid NPA Volunteering Child Care MIDAS Training Photography Breast Feeding Awareness Child Protection

10. Help & Support

11. Stats • Number of referrals from DWP – 453 • Number of self referrals – 259 • Number of job club members – 703 • Number of members that have secured volunteer work – 64 • Number of members that have secured employment – 102 • Number of members took part in training - 83 • Number of CV’s Completed -300+ Since starting, the job club has been a resounding success, with over 700 people now registered. The project is proving that demand is there! 

12. Constant evolution and reinventing of services • Embracing new people; what are your ideas • An understanding that there isn’t one person that has all the ideas • Open communication • Friendly environment that people can get involved easily in

13. Encouragement The trust has always encouraged volunteers to realise their potential and share new ideas for new services that can really make a difference to the community

14. Always Moving Forward • Relevant training and even some training that might not seem relevant at the time. Always try new things! • Monitoring of progress. Showing people how they have progressed. • Providing tools & resources – but not lots of plans or form filling. It’s an organic process. • Preparation for work. Never stand still….don’t get complacent • Continuous personal development & support – a person-centered approach • Positive Psychology; Futures toolkit

15. Straight to the point…. You want something done? Do it yourself….. Make it happen! • Don’t just complain, help change things • Connect CT is the support mechanism for local people to make things happen

16. Progression; we don’t want people volunteering indefinitely – creating paid employment or helping people move into employment elsewhere • Friendly and approachable; diverse range of support staff • Not frighten of change; we take chances on people and on new services • We invest in people; support and development • We don’t do everything for people; we help people do things for themselves. Empowerment of people • Never stand still; services are constant evolving • WE DON’T COMPLICATE THINGS…..WE MAKE IT FUN!!