Hartlepool Action Lab: Where are we now?
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The document outlines the Hartlepool Action Lab initiative aimed at addressing community issues through participatory research and multi-agency collaboration to empower residents, particularly youth. Key goals include reducing empty properties, enhancing neighborhood engagement, and combatting child poverty, with plans for communal events and actionable strategies. The emphasis lies on sustainable community development and fostering connections among residents to inspire collective action.
Hartlepool Action Lab: Where are we now?
- 1. Welcome! The event will start at 12:15 Tweet us at #HartActionLab and @HartActionLab
- 2. The Hartlepool Action Lab
- 3. The approach: 1. Community based participatory research 2. Four day facilitated workshop 3. Multi-agency projects 4. Evaluation
- 4. PTE
- 11. Stronger Neighbourhoods Vision The Stronger Neighbourhoods vision is to create neighbourhoods where: Neighbours know and look out for each other Residents have the confidence and skills to take actions on issues important to them in their communities Those who feel isolated are helped to feel less lonely and are able to connect to activities and services in their communities Values and neighbourliness are embedded in all generations
- 12. 100 Day Sprint – Launch of Brighter Brus • During the 100 day sprint our first task was to produce an evidence base on neighbourhoods that would benefit – this was completed in July and the Brus area was chosen as the pilot • In August we conducted a small piece of research in the Brus and broader West View area – we talked to over 200 residents who told us about their experience of living in the area • Common themes that came out of the research included; more activities to bring the community together; improving the local environment, safety, and transport 100 Day Goal Engage with 100 residents Hold a community event
- 14. Action Lab Revisited …….. from a Sprint to a Marathon New Short Term Goal To have a cohesive empowered group with a clear idea of what it wants to do and the beginnings of a project idea By March 2017 New Short Term Goal ‘To have a cohesive empowered group with a clear idea of what it wants to do and the beginnings of a project idea By March 2017’ Primary Drivers To keep the conversation going with residents in the area Inspire people to get involved in taking collective action on issues important to them Identify sustainability beyond The 100 days New Short Term Goal ‘To have a cohesive empowered group with a clear idea of what it wants to do and the beginnings of a project idea By March 2017’ Primary Drivers To keep the conversation going with residents in the area Inspire people to get involved in taking collective action on issues important to them Identify sustainability beyond The 100 days
- 15. ‘Keeping the Conversations going’ • At the beginning of December we produced and delivered a Christmas card to households across the area, informing of progress so far and inviting people to get in touch • In December we held a ‘Turkey Bun and Stuffing’ event to offer support to local residents who were interested in joining the journey to create a ‘Brighter Brus’ • In January a meeting took place with Ward Councillors who pledged their support and provided further feedback to the community on the Brighter Brus project through their regular Councillors newsletter • Since December regular meetings have been held with a small group of residents interested in improving their local area
- 16. Inspiring residents to take collective action • Regular meetings have resulted in the development of a ‘Brighter Brus Action Group’ • A short term action plan has been produced and the group have recently met with some local agencies to discuss local issues • Through these contacts residents have already inspired others to take action in the area - working with residents agencies held an Operation Pledge in the local area last week and resident activists also participated in the ‘Great British Spring Clean’ • The group is interested in developing a number of activities such as community walks and history events but is starting to plan a ‘Big Lunch’ event to bring the community together which will hopefully take place in June
- 17. Taking Action
- 18. What is the link between Stronger Neighbourhoods and the impact of poverty in Hartlepool? Neighbourhood Areas 1. King Oswy 2. Brus 3. Central Estate 4. Headland & Harbour 5. Dyke House 6. Victoria 7. Burbank 8. Stranton 9. Burn Valley 10. Belle Vue 11. Rift House 12. Manor House 13. Jutland Road
- 20. Sustainability – what next? Enlist the support of key organisations In the Stronger Neighbourhoods Partnership – meeting 13 March Thirteen Group Hartlepool Churches Together HBC Public Health Police Changing Futures North East Asylum Seekers and Refugee Group Belle Vue Centre West View Advice and Resource Centre HBC Community Engagement Wharton Trust Age UK Joseph Rowntree Foundation Identify a lead organisation(s) that will help us..... To drive forward the vision To bid for funds To employ staff/hold funds To co-ordinate involvement of Stakeholders To administer the Stronger Neighbourhoods Partnership
- 25. Steven “Everyone deserves a chance no matter where you’re from.”
- 31. What do we know? • 31% of our children and young people live in poverty compared to 21% nationally - 5,590 children and young people • More than half of children living in poverty are in a family where at least one adult works (55%) • 69% of families have no savings and are unable to cope in a crisis • Hartlepool is £42 million worse off through reforms such as The Benefit Cap, Council Tax Benefit, changes in Housing Allowances and the Under Occupation Charge (ANEC, 2013).
- 32. What are we seeing? • Impact of welfare reform is taking hold • Universal Credit claimants struggling to manage the 6 week waiting period • Rising demand for Foodbank vouchers and food support • Daily requests for council crisis fund – food, gas, electricity, clothing • Repetitive requests for DHP – help with rent • Significant levels of debt (lots of ‘small’ amounts) and illegal money lending • Significant eviction referrals with rent arrears totalling in excess of £1500 - £4000 per family • Increased pressure of Children’s Social Care.
- 33. What are our priorities? • Mitigate the impact of poverty on children and families • Build pathways out of poverty for children and young people • Create new opportunities for adults to reduce child and family poverty.
- 34. What could we do to see some immediate impact? • Know how and where to get help early before crisis point; build stronger (family/ community) relationships to increase resilience • Maximise entitlements; make good use of money; teach our children and young people practical money skills including saving • Challenge public perception – ‘there are no jobs’; ‘poor people need to get a job’; ‘benefit scroungers’; ‘foreigners taking our jobs’ • Food poverty – lets get organised and make use of what’s available and already out there!
- 35. What are we good at? • Strong, established network or people, agencies and organisations across the town who are passionate about making a difference • Excellent educators who are making a difference to the lives of our most disadvantaged children and young people • Being creative and resourceful – flexing to meet need • Working together.
- 37. The Hartlepool Action Lab: Learning & moving forward
- 38. Over to you! From your professional – or where appropriate, personal – perspective, what are the main issues around poverty in Hartlepool? Think about: where can we have an impact? • Take five minutes to write your individual answer on the Discussion form • Then discuss as a group
- 39. Thank you for your participation!