Monwara and Daniel gave introductions

Monwara and Daniel gave introductions.

Monwara proposed Forum meetings every 2 months, explained that the Partnership’s role was to make decisions.

Explained that Partnership had decided to make youth and intergenerational working a priority.

She outlined the deadline for applications for initial funding of £3,000 and made clear the deadline of 25 April.

Daniel explained that completed forms could be sent by email or left with Gulsun at Priory Court. Gulsun was happy to accept forms there.

Meeting was informed that Daniel’s involvement in Big Local would end in May.

Questions from the audience:

Had consideration been put into practicalities of hiring a new Big Local worker?

Monwara explained that recruitment was being organised and would begin soon, and asked those listening to spread the word.

Why was only £3k being offered out of £100,000?

It was made clear that with the resources currently available, that’s all the Partnership can currently administer. More projects will be funded soon.

Why did the notes seem to suggest that only projects for 16-24 year olds were eligible?

It was thought that the issue was around the minimum age that people could fill in evaluation forms. However, it was accepted that the money could go to projects for people younger than that.

Members of Partnership were invited to attend a session of the youth club at Priory Court.

Should successful candidates be allowed to charge for admission?

The answer was they could, but that only not-for-profit organisations would be eligible.

The Partnership were congratulated by one member of the audience.

Meeting broke into workshops, each looking at one of the priority areas. (Afterwards, the meeting was asked if they’d prefer future meetings to be “open forum” style. Approximately 50 per cent said they would)

Intergenerational working – led by Frankie (see Monwara’s notes below):

Elizabeth Tucker fed back, saying Priory Court youth club should receive funding.

The idea was suggested that Priory Court and William Morris Community Centres should join together to run joint events.

The hope was expressed that the successful applicants for the £3k funding would attend the next forum and share their experiences.

Green Spaces – Sarah – see her notes below. Feedback focused on the idea of running a best-looking street competition.

Local Economy – Joe – focused on mentoring and training people to attend job interviews

People should also be given help to switch utility companies.

Green spaces notes from Sarah:

Our workshop group thought our aim should be to move from being the least green to the greenest ward in the borough. The following are ideas of how we can achieve this:

• 
  Improving the look of individual streets by:
  
  • 
    Planting edible flowers and herbs below trees
    
  • 
    Getting external organisations to plant new trees/bushes
    
  • 
    Tending to existing trees/bushes to ensure safety of street users
    
  • 
    People using their front gardens as plant nurseries, plants from which could go on to be sold
    
  • 
    Offering to share your wheelie bins to prevent littering- advertising that they can be used by members of the public
    

It was felt that this could best be achieved by residents getting together and deciding how best to improve the look of their own street and then going on to work towards achieving it.

• 
  The Big Local could encourage this by offering money to individual streets to work towards improving their street and running a competition for the greenest street in the ward. This competition could also be sponsored by local estate agents.
  
• 
  This money and competition could be offered alongside the offer of advice about what best to plant where from either local gardening clubs or individuals.
  

• 
  Tool sharing was thought to be a good first step before getting together a tool bank. This could be a database system or a sell or swap style website specifically for tool sharing or using the existing sell or swap website.
  
• 
  In the medium term we could start to map unused and potential new green spaces with a view to working towards using and improving these.
  

Monwara’s notes on intergenerational working:

Intergenerational Working

• 
  Groups joining forces will achieve more, engender sustainability
  

• 
  Partnership work : combining different youth projects/up skilling people to run projects and develop volunteers towards sustainable relationships and resources
  

• 
  Worth Unlimited – is a charity – drama work – counselling. They have an area in Birmingham which is a Big Local area, which organised a Community Panto performance.
  

• 
  Pritty Rana works for Mind, representing “R-Squared” in Haringey - a resilience programme using e.g. sporting activities
  

• 
  A Youth Club in Priory Court Community Centre run by “Augdze”, a charitable organisation running similar activities as W/Unltd as well as cultural activities such as dance/drumming/cooking, etc
  

• 
  We need to increase the number and frequency of activities
  

• 
  More activities that help challenge negative perceptions/labelling of young people
  

• 
  Activities/provision needs to be developed for young people (11+ yrs)
  

• 
  Emotional health rules undertaking mentoring training literacy in Hackney
  
  • 
    Making links with experts
    
  • 
    Pass on skills e.g. mentoring
    
  • 
    May be transferable?
    

• 
  One off event or ongoing projects - or both? Partnership members clarified they are open to both ideas at present
  

• 
  “E17 kitchen” model could be useful to inform this process – to help encourage the development of intergenerational working in ways that bring both generations together.
  

• 
  Next steps for future Forum Meeting: Share funding outcomes/present to Forum/see how partnerships might be formed.