Vibrant Communities Angie Bennett Service Manager Early Intervention

Vibrant Communities Angie Bennett Service Manager – Early Intervention & Prevention Vibrant Communities A quick word on Vibrancy. . . Vibrancy is so universally desirable, so totemic in its powers, that even though we aren't sure what the word means, we know the quality it designates must be cultivated. The vibrant, we believe, is what makes certain cities (places) flourish. Thomas Frank

Why? • Drop in funding available to public sector • Changes in demography • Increase in demand • Listening to our communities and stakeholders • Widening inequalities gap • Welfare Reform • National Drivers for change

Our solutions are often not fit for purpose

Vibrant Communities Bringing together the talents, skills and experience of: – Active Schools – Community Learning & Development Services – Democratic Services (support to Community Council’s) – Leisure Development Services – Planning and Economic Development -External Funding and Sustainability and Local Project Posts – Social Work Community Care - Local Area Coordinators and Care Coordinators – Social Work Children and Families- Befriending

Key Service Areas (a vibrant diagram) Prevention and Early Intervention Sustainable Communities -Young People, Sport and Diversion -Communities -Active Schools -Play and Early Intervention -Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Learning -Lifestyle Development, Older People and Wellbeing -Sustainability

Early Intervention & Prevention Outcomes • More vulnerable families and young people supported to fully participate and engage within their local communities and reach their full potential • Increase in physical activity, social connections and community participation of older people • More vulnerable adults recovering from addictions engaging and participating within their communities • More people with additional support needs and disabilities participating within their communities and reaching their full potential • More young people involved in positive community activities, local democracy and leadership • Stronger Sports Clubs and organisations to improve Sporting Performance and bring about increased Physical Activity.

Sustainable Communities -Outcomes • Communities of place and interest having a voice and role in decision making • Up to 35 community led action plans phased over 3 years- linked to Locality Planning and Regeneration • Increase in number of active volunteers and volunteering opportunities • Increase in communities and voluntary sector managing, leasing or owning assets and delivering services • Adult literacy and numeracy programmes supported • Sustainable adult learning opportunities delivered by communities

More than a service. . . (another vibrant diagram) Public Service Reform Partners and ALEOS All Council Services Vibrant Communities Leading the Transformation

A new policy anyone? Present Policy Why not also have approaches that… Focus on Deficiencies Focus on Assets Problem Response Opportunity Identification Charity Orientation Investment Orientation Grants to Agencies Grants, Loans, Investments, Leverage More Services Fewer Services High Emphasis on Agencies Emphasis on Associations Focus on Individuals Focus on communities/neighbourhoods Maintenance Development See People as Clients See People as Citizens & Co-producers ‘Fix People’ Develop Potential Programmes are the Answer People are the Answer

Co productive and Asset based Approach Co-production makes strengthening the ‘core economy’ of communities, neighbourhoods and families the central task of public services. There is a focus on • Recognising people as assets • Doing things with rather than for people • Valuing work differently • Promoting reciprocity • Building social networks

Community Driven Development (moving to co-production) This is the process of changing the relationship between state and citizen, from one where the citizen is passive, begging for resources from a supposedly all-powerful and beneficent state, to a more realistic and empowering relationship, where the state provides a supportive environment, people act on their development, and the state listens to people’s views and supports where possible. Sam Chimbuya

Identification of talents and gifts Gifts of the - Head (knowledge/information) - Hand (practical skills) - Heart (what are you passionate about? ) “Your gift is the key that unlocks the door to your community. ” Working Gifts (Presently offered and valued) Waiting Gifts (yet to be offered and valued) Damon Lynch Sharing gifts and talents = Social Connectedness!

Social Connectedness Characteristics experienced by people who are not members of a community Characteristics arising from involvement in local community Separateness from the real world Belong to and being part of communities Constant boredom Adventure and challenge Loneliness Companionship increased social networks, new and stronger friendships Dependence or total isolation Interdependence Restricted freedom Freedom Limited growth and new challenges Improved self image through achievement No sense of a future Hope and enthusiasm for future Feelings of failure Achievement

Social connectedness • 148 studies comprising 308, 849 participants, high levels of social integration conferred a 50% increased likelihood of survival. • Complex patterns of social integration conferred a 90% increase in survival. • Simple indicators such as living alone versus living with others conferred a survival benefit of only 19%. Harry Burns- Chief Medical Officer

End the Poverty of Loneliness “Each time a person moves from isolation to connection our neighbourhoods become safer, our communities more vibrant and our society more cohesive. Given the enormity of the challenges we face in these infant years of the 21 st century, building relationships, strengthening human bonds, expanding our capacity to care for one another are crucial acts. Our collective task is to end the poverty of loneliness. It is to learn to care for each other. ” Vicki Cammack

Compassion

The story so far…………. . • Buy in from Chief Exec, Corporate Management Team, Chief Officers and Community Planning Partners • Cascade of asset based presentations and workshops to all management teams and staff groups as part of organizational development process • Challenging practice, strengthening leadership, identifying gifts of the head, the hand the heart and Identifying change champions at all levels • Establishing neighbourhood networks with employees and partners • Planning on the ground with partners including police, health etc. linking to the development of locally led action plans

Angie Bennett Tel: 01563 576722 Email: angie. bennett@eastayrshire. gov. uk