“Battersea Together” follow up

Battersea Together – Big Local Community Network Event
(25th February 2016, York Garden’s Library, attended by 45 people from 31 organisations.)
Thank you so much for taking time to attend this event, which provided all of us with an opportunity to get to know much more about what we are doing to address some of the key issues in SW11.
Feedback from the session has been very positive and we are keen to build on the outcomes to further explore where we may be able to work together.
The results of the voting on key themes/issues were:
(Top issues/solutions etc marked in red)
Safety & wellbeing
Concerns

  • Mental health  (5*)
  • Lack of free amenities
  • Isolation (2*)
  • Negative perceptions – distrust and suspicion (2*)
  • People don’t take responsibility for themselves or their community – ‘them lot’ attitude, no thought to get involved and change things (1*)
  • Pollution and access to green spaces is poor
  • Dog mess a problem (1*)
  • Reputation is a concern for wellbeing
  • People feel excluded (1*)
  • Housing stability poor (1*)
  • Lack of trust in authorities (1*)

What can be done?

  • More free groups and facilities (6*)
  • Sharing positive news to change perceptions (5*)
  • Community workers/volunteers for home visits (2*)
  • Early intervention – preventative measures (2*)
  • Inspire people to take responsibility (4*)
  • Creating opportunities for people to come together/get to know each other – bond over common interests that bring people together – e.g. dogs, babies) (4*)
  • Connections between business, community groups and individuals (4*)

Community & Belonging
Ways to combat negative effects of the regeneration

  • Listen to local people – community voice – confidence they will be heard (10*)
  • Make housing affordable – need a strategy for regeneration across Battersea – community land trusts like tower hamlets (7*)
  • Multicultural days to celebrate diversity (5*)
  • Build community (3*)
  • Lack of trust in council (1*)
  • Houses for life (5*)
  • Tunnel – lobby for change (5*)

Where is there a strong sense of community? Within the organisations present today.
Positives of the area

  • Location
  • Cultural connections
  • Battersea Power station

Influence and citizenship
What is to be done?

  • Listening – making sure each voice counts (6*)
  • Consultation not presentation (6*)
  • Inclusion – appropriate venues for young and old – language/communication (5*)
  • Who are the decision makers?
  • Making meetings more accessible
  • Speed dating with councillors (4*)
  • Easy in access to decision makers (4*)
  • Coffee mornings (1*)
  • Deputation to council (2*)
  • Citizenship classes in schools
  • Share information
  • Listening to community (4*)
  • Opportunities for interaction (2*)
  • Networking – skills and expertise (2*)
  • Support low risk takers: inspiring speakers etc (2*)

Achieving & Potential
Barriers

  • Confidence (4*)
  • Funding (4*)
  • Education (1*)
  • Connections
  • Problem of perception
  • Low self esteem (3*)
  • Mindset (2*)

What is to be done?

  • Mentoring – role models – local people – create community and belonging (7*)
  • Business supporting community (5*)
  • Personal development plans  (1*)
  • Education – broader (3*)
  • Listening – expand experience (1*)
  • Build relationships (2*)

Who needs support?

  • People with mental health conditions (2*)
  • Excluded young people
  • Older people (1*)

The Next Steps

These results are being sent to all the organisations that attended the Battersea Together event.

They will also be presented to the Big Local SW11 Partnership Executive Committee (PEC) on the 17th of March 2016.

We are hoping that we will be able to work with you to bring solutions to some of the issues identified.If there are areas/themes you would be interested to work with us on please respond to this email directly or visit the Survey Monkey and completing the online questions at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QFGWR62

Yours

Helen Taylor (Lead on Building Futures)

Robert Musgrave (Chair Big Local SW11)

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Big Local SW11 and Battersea Alliance are all about strengthening our community by local residents and organisations working together to decide and create what we want for Battersea.