Community Involvement
Update on achievements and impact of Community Involvement Officer
Business Plan Priorities
• Developing links with community groups and individuals
• Promoting community involvement in local events
• Breaking down barriers and building trust among community members
Developing links – Community Litter Picking
• 3 community volunteers/ co-ordinators recruited from Chalk, Chalky Bank,
• Chalk Litter Pick on 5 June – 52 participants of all ages
• Community Litter Picks arranged throughout August
• Support pack for local co-ordinators – maps, risk-assessment and register
Chalk Community Litter Pick
Developing Links - Churches
• North Kent Community Church• The Redeemed Christian Church of God• Gravesham Churches Together
Important and valuable link to our minority communities and also provide committed volunteers and help for council events
North Kent Community Church helping clear Lord Street Car Park
Community Involvement in Local Events
• Gravesham in Bloom – Schools, community groups• Windmill Tavern – Gravesham In Bloom, Christmas
on the Hill• Big Lunch – 7 Avenues Residents Association
practical support on road closures, risk assessments
• Black History Month – Gravesham African & Caribbean Group
• Christmas – Windmill Gardens, Advent,
Building trust between communities
• Black History Month – African and Caribbean Forum
• Local Churches• Cohesion + • Sahayak, Red Cross – new migrant
communities • Working with Kent Police Prevent Officer
Impact Gravesham in Bloom • Community competition entrants - 21 Scarecrows, 6 Painted
Boards, 17 Front Garden entrants, • 30 community volunteers from North Kent Community
Church to help with Lord Street Car Park clear up• School involvement – Cecil Road Primary pupils, staff, family
and friends planted, knitted and decorated the school grounds, St John’s Secondary School 7 year 12 students for 1 week helped with weeding, painting and planting
• Knitters – Urban knitters supported plus new recruits from 2 local groups
• Schools in Bloom, Its Your Neighbourhood - plans for entrance in 2016
Cecil Road Primary SchoolChildren, families and staff planted, knitted and decorated school grounds using the Gravesham In Bloom seaside theme. Keen to entre Schools in Bloom in 2016.
Weeding – St John’s Catholic ComprehensiveYear 12 Volunteers. Piloting community volunteering for all year 12 students look to expand next year
Knitting for Gravesham in Bloom
Impact
• Community litter picking – 56 participated in Chalk community litter pick, 3 local co-ordinators recruited, following up 4 new enquiries from local volunteers, 3 summer litter picking events planned
Current Activity
• Ebbsfleet United – community art project, community football officer, community day
• Community Engagement Strategy• Gravesend Clock Tower – community
engagement support • Woodland’s Park• African Caribbean Forum – Black History month
and heritage lottery fund application• Christmas on the Hill
Challenges
• Recruiting volunteers • Recruiting community champions/ lead
volunteer – taking on responsibilities• Public liability insurance, health and safety –
needs someone to be in charge take responsibility
• Reducing officer reliance – building capacity