Active Betteshanger Community Project (ActivMobs)A Reconnected Community

ActivMobs Activmobs is a scheme for everyone. The scheme helps people to include physical activity as part of their everyday life.

Anyone can get together a group of friends, family or colleagues and start and 'activmob’

Activmobs don't have to do things that would traditionally be called 'sport'.

Activmob aims to build on what people already do or would like to do.

Builds on the assumption that activity is most effective when driven and sustained by individual motivations.

Social MarketingIs Person centred Is about behaviour and behavioural goalsUses a mix of different interventions and shared knowledge to influence a positive changeUnderstands what is expected of people and considers the real cost or benefit to the individual. Discovers and appreciates the factors that have an effect on people and that vie for their attention

Betteshanger Issues

Low levels of activityUnderused and negatively viewed Social ClubFractured Community, lack of social cohesion Land ownershipRelationship with District Council and other stakeholders

Betteshanger and ActivMobs

Door to door surveysQuestionnairesChildren's ForumYoung Peoples’ ForumOpen and honest meeting with Community Centre Committee and frank discussion on the perception of the centreYoung Peoples’ Film ‘Welcome to Betteshanger it’s a ghost town’Open Forum and community film viewing

ActivMobs Outcome

Promotion of physical activity can be viewed as a way into thespirit of a community. ActivMobs came to Betteshanger as anon threatening concept; and it not only encouraged people to become more active it also helped unlock some barriersimpeding the community from moving forward.

Betteshanger OutcomesIncreased physical activity and new activities

Over a hundred members involved in new activities.

Reconnection of club to community

Positive response of Community Centre committee to community criticism.Membership up by 50% shows a change of attitude to the Community Centre ‘Mob Motivators’ prepared to work for the good of the wider community and stand on the Community Centre committee

Betteshanger OutcomesSocial and Community Capital

Community spirit and the social cohesion. Intergenerational dialogue is now possible. Young people are now involved in decision making.A change of attitude regarding resourcesIncreased confidence in the club and community has seen a 375% success rate of grant application.

Active Citizenship

Empowered and active community able to identify issues. Preparedness to re-engage with the District Council and other stakeholders

Future Challenges

Land ownership disputes.The setting up of positive activities for the youth of the area and dealing with the issues of anti-social behaviour by youth from outside Betteshanger.Fishing area accessibility.

Active Betteshanger Community Project (ActivMobs)

“Gives us the opportunity to be involved and motivate others...” General Overview The activity project in Betteshanger began with a request from a local county councillor to the Kent Public Health Department at the later end of 2007 to promote and encourage more healthy living in the village of Betteshanger. The main goals were to increase overall physical activity in the community and grow the use of the Community Centre and its reach into the community. A social marketing approach was taken. Social Marketing combines marketing techniques from the private sector with research and knowledge from the public sector and uses a person centred approach to appeal to the target audience with the aim of instigating and maintaining changes in behaviour. ActivMobs became the way into the community and the project locally titled ABC (Active Betteshanger Community) was born. “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say ‘we have done this ourselves’.” Chinese Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu (600 – 531BC).

Bettershanger

Although the Parish of Betteshanger has existed since the Doomsday Book it was the opening of the Betteshanger Colliery the really put Betteshanger on the Kent map.

The colliery opened in the late 1920s and was the largest of the Kent collieries. The lure of well paid jobs encouraged miners from Yorkshire to leave home and come to work at Betteshanger Colliery.

Betteshanger Miners c.1955. Picture from Coalfields Heritage Kent

These miners came from a proud tradition of history, comradeship and union solidarity. Betteshanger miners were involved in many bitter disputes over the years and despite their efforts to keep their jobs, and the Kent mines open, the Betteshanger pit closed down four years after the Miners’ Strike. It was the last working mine in Kent and its closure left many of the community feeling betrayed and without employment.

Betteshanger only really consists of three streets, Circular Road, Northway, and Broad Lane. Circular Road, often known simply as 'the Circle' is an oval shaped one way street. Houses have even numbers on inside of the circle, and odd on the outside. It has been said that ‘The Circle’ is the same size as a greyhound track and was used by the residents to race greyhounds and whippets.

Arial view of Betteshanger showing ‘the Circle’. Picture from BBC Kent. website With the closure of the mine the community lost its sense of identity. People moved away looking for work, new people moved in who had no real idea of the history of the area and the village became fractured between ex miners and non miners, young people and the older generation. The village had no shop, no school and the only community facility was the old miners’ social club building which was only used by some of the community

Time Line April 08 Community engagement - leaflets, one to one questionnaires and mini forums. June 08

Community Centre committee receive feedback from community about Community Centre.

‘Walking into the club – it feels private Community Centre open only at certain times Is the Community Centre only for ex miners? Community Centre feels old fashioned and outdated Tea dances sometimes cancelled maybe due to private bookings Perception that residents in the circle cannot hire the hall Difficulties in having access to the Community Centre keys’

The Community Centre responds positively and write letter to community. Aug 08 Youth film made, facilitated by Social Innovation Labs for Kent (SILK). This film was made in response to issues that were highlighted by young people; it gave young people the opportunity to show on camera what a young person’s life in Betteshanger was like. It also provided them the opportunity to speak to other members of their community, learn about their lives and to make connections to and with their community. The film and its aftermath created a new, much needed, dialogue between the older and younger generations of the village and a valuable channel of communication was opened.

‘Conversations wouldn’t have happened without the film’ The film became part of the open forum and received lots of accolades. The open forum was also considered a success with many ideas coming out of it. The importance of the Community Centre was recognised as well as including young people in decisions which affected them. For further information see appendix 1 ‘Betteshanger a different approach to community engagement’

Evaluation Activities During the evaluation process the following areas were identified to have had significant developments.

• Increased amount and participation of activities • Community Centre and surrounding developments • Improved social cohesion of the area

With the assistance of ActivMobs members of the community were able to take an idea and turn it into an activity that others could share.

Tea Dances

Gardening Club Coffee Mornings

Kickboxing ClubKarate Club

Dog Walking

Cooking ClubCooking Club

Dog Agility

AerobicsSlimming Club

Many of the activities involved the Community Centre which helped with the revenue of the centre. In a community so small the fact there are eleven activities still running is a great achievement. A toddler group was started at the Community Centre which has developed into a weekly coffee morning, a chance for all members of the community to meet and chat. The centre is also used by the local PCSO to hold open meetings and discuss any issues. This type of meeting shows that people living in Betteshanger are willingly becoming active citizens and want to be more involved in all aspects of their community. Activities continue to be developed and it is planned that a not for profit slimming club and aerobics class is started in the Community Centre which continues to build on the active community theme. More recently a pre and after school club is being set up which will have a focus on exercise and healthy eating. By creating activities that appeal to everyone, different members of the community were/are able to come together and increase the social cohesion of the area. For some of the community it was the first time they have been inside the Community Centre and their experience there overcame some of their preconceived notions. The club has also benefited with income from hiring of room and new members.

Approximate membership and help received

Coffee Mornings: 15 members

Dog Agility : 10 Members,

Dog Walking : 13 Members

Cooking Club: 5 MembersCooking Club: 5 Members

Gardening Club : 3 Members

Kickboxing Club : £1119 equipment for training

Tea Dances : 60+ members, £1155 new PA system

Community Centre The concerns raised by the community about the Community Centre during the consultation period in June 08 have successfully been addressed. This has been shown by the increase in activities happening at the Community Centre and the increase in new members. The Community Centre has undergone a dramatic and much needed renovation. Although this is not due to the project itself, it is worth noting that the momentum and ‘can do’ spirit produced by ActivMobs was a significant catalyst in both speeding up the process and encouraging new members of the community to give up free time to help with their project. ‘There is an improvement in community relationships…an increase in voluntary help to maintain what we have…’

‘…it’s somewhere that looks open and used’…………‘people who we haven’t seen in here for years are stopping for a drink and a chat…’

It is not just the Betteshanger community that views the Community Centre differently now. Private functions from outside Betteshanger have increased and a wedding has been booked for the summer of 2009. The Community Centre now opens longer hours and has gone from opening for only four days to opening for seven days a week. Membership has also increased by approximately 50% with many ‘non miners’ joining. Social Cohesion The increase in activities and social endeavours has given members of the community a sense of empowerment which in turn has led to the social cohesion in the community to grow immensely.

‘.. See the whole of the community new and old

gathering together to help it be a better

community’

‘ The community spirit around here has

improved’

‘….. Didn’t have confidence in

the club, now a confident body’

‘there has been a dramatic change of

attitude’

‘The community wasfragmented between retired miners and

new families’

‘We are now out and active, it has given us the opportunity-there was nothing

before’

We must be fitter, we have to jump

with the dogs while they learn what they are doing!’

‘we feel apart of something now’

‘we hear about things that need to be done and

just do it’

Thoughts from the community

‘…. People are wiling to help, pull together and give up their free time…’ There are two ladies who embody the new sense of community in Betteshanger. As active members of the community their involvement and accomplishments are highly respected and both of the ladies have become influential in Betteshanger. One lady had only lived in Betteshanger for nine years and was considered a ‘newcomer’ and being a ‘non miner’ she had only been to the Community Centre a couple of times, and knew very few people in the community. The other lady had lived in the area for over thirty years but due to some past social issues had not been into the Community Centre, except on the odd occasion, for ten years. From barely visiting the Community Centre they are now committee members organising and helping run some of the clubs. ‘….. they are regularly up at 5 in the morning baking cakes and sausage rolls for the weekly coffee mornings’. It is not just the Community Centre that has gained from the enthusiasm of these ladies, other members of the community have become motivated by them and older residents are offered help with gardening and shopping. ‘The project ‘has given us the opportunity to be involved and motivate others, there is a community spirit’

With the new strengths of a confident and socially cohesive community the grant success rate has improved immensely. In 2007 14 grants were applied for and only 4 awarded which gave a success rate of 29%. According to the last AGM treasurers report successful grants amounted to 15 totalling £51,000 plus the area has also recently won a £6,200 award from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust. This award is hugely symbolic to the community of Betteshanger as for many years the area and club have been turned down for not meeting the criteria and through conflicting advice in the past. The Future In comparison to the start of the project in 2008, the community are now ‘dreaming’ of the future of their area and are empowered and able to voice their opinions and aspirations.

‘‘Hold regular dinners Hold regular dinners for the members of for the members of

the community the community particularly the particularly the

elderly, house bound elderly, house bound or single occupantsor single occupants’’

‘‘ A large hut for the A large hut for the community to use in community to use in the winter, including the winter, including

the youth to have the youth to have somewhere to go. somewhere to go. The dog club could The dog club could hold shows therehold shows there…’…’

‘‘make sure the make sure the friendship and friendship and

community community comradeship that comradeship that

has been developed has been developed continuescontinues’’

An outdoor gym An outdoor gym for all members for all members

of the community of the community to useto use

‘‘Work with the Work with the council to develop council to develop the potential land the potential land adjacent to the adjacent to the

clubclub……. Hold 5 aside . Hold 5 aside football or rugby football or rugby

matches to increase matches to increase revenuerevenue’’

‘‘All weather All weather court to play court to play games ongames on’’

People are no longer unwilling to discuss their ideas and as a community are prepared to connect with various bodies to make these ideas a reality. The fraught relationships are a thing of the past. Through the ActivMobs intervention the community are at a stage where they are able to work together as a trusted organisation, they can recognise their own issues, try and resolve them and now have the impetus to engage other partners like the District Council and other stakeholders. Prior to this change it was usual for conversations to reach stalemate and the three significant issues listed below were left undetermined.

• The ongoing ownership dispute around the land adjacent to the Community Centre. This has been going on for years without any resolution.

• The setting up of positive activities for the youth of the area and dealing with the issues of anti-social behaviour by youth from outside Betteshanger.

• Fishing area accessibility, the community own 33% of the pond but cannot access the area without trespassing on adjoining land.

Conclusion Some of the key outcomes of the project are:

• Increased physical activity and new activities Activities and activity levels have increased. Over a hundred members involved in new activities. The community has increased confidence and people are no longer afraid to suggest new activities and are even prepared to trial them. • Reconnection of club to community Community Centre committee listened to the views of the community and responded positively. Is more welcoming and opens for longer hours. Change of community attitude towards the Community Centre shown by increase use and membership up by 50%. The evolution of ‘Mob Motivators’ prepared to work for the good of the wider community and stand on the Community Centre committee. • Social and Community Capital The area once again has a community spirit and the social cohesion of the area has increased. Intergenerational dialogue is now possible. Young people are now involved in decision making. A change of attitude regarding resources has been seen, the old way of thinking was that it was always the other mining areas that benefited. This new outlook and raised aspirations has helped overcome the negativity and apathy. Increased confidence in the club and community has seen a 375% success rate of grant application. • Active Citizenship People are now prepared to take an active part in their community. They fell empowered and want to involve themselves in the decisions that affect the community as a whole. They understand the importance and welcome re-engaging with the District Council and other stakeholders to address their outstanding issues and they now view these relationships in a more positive light.

Promotion of physical activity can be viewed as a way into the spirit of a community. ActivMobs came to Betteshanger as a non threatening concept; and it not only encouraged people to become more active it also helped unlock some barriers impeding the community from moving forward. A once disconnected and disillusioned set of people have now reconciled and produced a stronger and motivated community able to tackle their own issues and productively engage with other stakeholders. ActivMobs facilitated at the Community Centre and helped the committee recognise the reason the club was not being used. New members have helped to drive the club forward and re-establish it as a vital part of the community open to everyone. ‘…the Betteshanger Social Club has changed from a venue for miners to meet after their long shifts, to a place that offers something for all members of the community....’ ActivMobs, and the work in Betteshanger, was awarded a Certificate of Best Practice by the National Social Marketing Centre and the Kings Fund. This was as part of their showcase of the best 20 social marketing projects in the UK. Interest in the approach from a number of different sources has followed.

BetteshangerA different approach to community engagement

IntroductionThe activmobs project in Betteshanger, locally titled ABC (Active Betteshanger Community), began with a request from a local county councillor to the Kent Public Health Department about encouraging more healthy living in the village of Betteshanger (a former mining area of Kent). An organisation associated with activ.mobs, Dynamic Therapy, was commissioned to survey the local community and establish what activities they would like to take part in and identify any obstacles to their involvement.

The main community asset, the local community centre, was also underused and not viewed positively by parts of the local community. One of the objectives of the programme was to establish whether the community centre could become a better facility for the surrounding area.

Your Community – Your VoiceLiz and Jo from Dynamic Therapy spent time with the residents of Betteshanger to see what activities were already on offer and identify any opportunities for the future. They carried out a door to door survey with all the houses in the Betteshanger Circle (See Appendix A for The Community Survey questions and Appendix B for the Survey results).

They held two youth forums with children under 10 years and their parents and another with 10 - 18 year olds. They had interactive discussions about ideas and opportunities for things to do in the area that were not currently available.

They used a P.O.I.N.T.S (problems, opportunities, insights, needs, themes and system challenges) exercise to organise some of the insights and information they learned from conversations with people of all ages around Betteshanger. The exercise can be found in Appendix C.

Survey outcomesThe exercises carried out in the community identified many opportunities, notably the need to rebuild the connection between younger and older people in the community. One example was the idea for a Youth video to build the case for young people to be more involved in the community centre and social club committee.

So…a Participatory Film project was set up to give Betteshanger’s younger population an opportunity to get their views about their community heard at a Community Forum.

About the filmThe film was an opportunity for the young people involved to plan, direct, shoot and edit their own film - ‘Welcome to Betteshanger - it’s a ghost town’.

As well as filming their own places of interest, they wanted to get the perspective of others in the area. Talking to people who lived nearby, they realised there used to be a mine in Betteshanger, but they knew very little about it.

They decided to ask Peter Holden, the current chair of the social club, and an ex miner himself, about his experiences to include in their film.

They also decided to take footage of a number of people doing different activities in and around Betteshanger.

Who took part? Billy, Heidi, Jack and Luke from Betteshanger, the film crew, worked for two days on the film.

Plus a big thanks to Peter, Alisha, Candice, Jo, Liz, Megan and the ballroom dancers for taking part in the film!

Hannah Parathian from Insight (www.insightshare.org), Emma Barrett from the Social Innovation Lab for Kent (www.kent.gov.uk/silk) and Geoff Maile from the Kent Graduate Programme, facilitated activities over 2 days which enabled the young people to learn how to use the equipment and make a film.

Insight is a UK/France based organisation which is pioneering the use of Participatory Video as a tool for empowering individuals and communities around the world.

Making the film - Day one

Planning for the day - Getting to know each other and the community

Getting to grips with the camera - Hannah showing Billy how to adjust the zoom

Going on a tour of the local area - getting some ideas for where and what we are going to shoot...

Making a start - Luke and Heidi filming in the football field

Making the film - Day two

More outdoor shots - interviewing other people from the area to get their perspective

Thinking creatively - using Playmobil figures for the final shot

Going through the footage so far and planning the paper edit together

The film was taken to the Insight editing suite to add the finishing touches to the final cut

Forum agendaBetteshanger Community Forum Wednesday 27th August 2008

Arrival and Welcome• The A.B.C. Project• Viewing the film• Group Activity – key points / surprises / what we didn’t find out• Idea generation• Prioritising ideas• What happens next?•

Reactions at the community forum“There were more young people than I have ever seen in the centre.”

“The DVD was amazing honestly, it couldn’t have been more perfect!”

“The film really did capture what they wanted at Betteshanger”

“Some of the other children wished they’d got more involved”

“Conversations wouldn’t have happened with out the film”

“It helped everyone to open up and talk honestly”

“How wonderfully well did the open forum go, was anyone else as surprised as me?”

Forum outcomesThe process of the community survey, the film and then the forum started many conversations between the older and younger generations. The community centre was seen as the key focus for the community and there was an enthusiasm to try a whole range of different activities alongside the existing programme.

It was suggested that more volunteers were needed to support those already running the centre or perhaps, that it could be left open all the time.

It was apparent that some of the ideas would be easy to achieve and some would be longer term. Some of the ideas that received most support were:

A covered shelter with a light and bin• A kickabout area• A graffiti wall•

There was an emphasis that the young people should partici-pate in decisions that affected them. They should be involved in the design and building of any project for them, to increase their commit to the end product.

What’s happening now?The biggest impact is the positive change on the types of activity that are starting to take place. There are still further changes that need to be made, about the communication between younger and older people, but the committee are looking at ways of encouraging regular feedback from young people, and a mechanism to broker that relationship.

There is a new community noticeboard which is due to be put up in December 2008, which will tell people what is happening in the club and surrounding area; there is an evolving programme of clubs including dog training, gardening, aerobics and mother and toddler groups.

There are developments to make the area more attractive and make better use of the land around the club through discussion with the Parish Council and work with GroundWork, an environmental regeneration charity. They are looking at plans for a kick around area or an outdoor gym and a graffiti wall which the young people will be involved in building themselves.

There are also a number of new income channels which of course keeps the momentum going. Most recently, the community received £10,000 from the Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust and a Kent County Council elected member grant.

For further information aaboutthis project, please contact Mark.Lemon@kent.gov.uk, Head of Policy, Department of Public Health, Kent County Council - 01622 694835

For further information about participatory filming or SILK, please contact Emma.Barrett@kent.gov.uk or 07825 506 606

Appendix A

Community survey questionnaire

A.B.C project - Community Questionnaire

Please read through the form before answering the questions

We need your input to assist us in helping you to create the community you want to be part of a place that you can enjoy, have fun and really feel that you have an active roll to play in helping and supporting the way forward in Betteshanger and the surrounding villages. We are working with full support of the Betteshanger Social Club and Community Centre, and partnership with both the centre and the community as a whole. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this please do not hesitate to contact Candice Kemp from the community centre who will be happy to answer them for you.

Please tell us about your interests and hobbies ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What do you like most about your community? .....................................................................................................................................................………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Your local amenities

E.G. Fowlmead Country Park, Betteshanger Social Club and Community Centre, Betteshanger Sports Club, Local Gym Facilities.

Are you aware of the local amenities in the area? …………. Y / N Do you use these local amenities? …………. Y / NIf Yes, for what activities and when?..............................................................................……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Are you aware of the full timetable of activities they have to offer? ……………. Y / NWould you know how or who to contact to join an activity? ................ Y / NWhat types of activities would you like to do at these amenities? …………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Your Community Centre

Do you use the local community centre? Y / NAre you aware of what activities are available at the community centre? Y / NWhat do you do at the community centre? …………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………….………………What would you like to have at the community centre; can you suggest something that would interest you?Social groups / activities / clubs, please put forward any ideas you may have! ...........................………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Would you be able and willing to travel to a neighbouring village for an activity or hobby i.e. football / netball / modern dance Y / N

Do you have any skills, hobbies or interests, that you would like to share with your community? ……………………………………………………………………………………………….....................………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What would you like in your community that’s not already available? ..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Are you? Creative / sporty / outdoors type / practical / sedentary.

What are your personal barriers (things that would put you off) to becoming more involved in the community and its activities?Time MoneyHealthPhysical disabilityTransportFear of the unknownLack of motivationLack of interestPeer pressureLack of activities

Would you be prepared to support an activity or hobby, if it was created within your community? Y / N

Would you be interested in helping to set up and sustain an activity within your community? Y / N

If one of the activities that you have recommended became available in your community, would you attend it regularly? Y / N

Please add any other information that you feel would be helpful to us in our quest to find out what the community really want……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Personal Information (Voluntary)

What town or village do you live in?..............................................................................................

(Please circle one)What age bracket are you?

Under 18 18 – 30 30 – 40 40 - 50 50 – 60 60 – 70 Over 70Do you have any dependants? 1/2/3Gender M/F

We would really like to keep you informed of the wonderful developments that will be happening with regards to physical activity within the area. It may be to let you know of an activity that is starting that you have signalled an interest in, or to simply update you with any up and coming events. Can we have your permission to come back to you on this exciting matter? Y/N

If Yes;Name ……………………………………………Preferred method of contact is? (Please give full details)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this questionnaire.This questionnaire will be kept confidential, and will only be seen by Dynamic Therapy.

Appendix B

Community survey questionnaire results

Do you use the Community Centre?

Do you use the community centre? YES

Do you use the community centre? NO

Convenience to travel?

Would it be convenient if theprogramme was held outsideBetteshanger? YES

Would it be convenient if theprogramme was held outsideBetteshanger? NO

Personal barriers to becoming more active

0

5

10

15

20

25

Tim

e

Mon

ey

Health

Physic

al Disa

bility

Tran

spor

t

Fear o

f the

Unk

nown

Lack

of m

otiva

tion

lack o

f inte

rest

Peer p

ress

ure

Lack

of a

ctivit

ies age

Interest in Activity

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Sin

ging

Coo

kery Wii

Rea

ding

Boo

k C

lub

gard

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owls

Fis

hing

Wal

king

Run

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Pus

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hair

Wal

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ngua

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Edu

catio

nS

top

Sm

okin

gA

mat

eur

Yog

aP

ilate

sA

erob

ics

Text

iles

Circ

uits

Nor

dic

Wal

king

Foo

tbal

lB

aske

tbal

lR

ugby

tenn

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tbal

lca

rds

Mus

icda

ncin

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yclin

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Scr

abbl

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men

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llotm

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Chi

ldre

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ites

Mot

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and

Bab

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orni

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Tea

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Sew

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Pot

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Flo

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es

Activity

No

of

peo

ple

Are you aware of the full timetable of activities the local amenities have to offer?

Are you aware of the full timetableof activities at them? YES

Are you aware of the full timetableof activities at them? NO

Appendix C

P.O.I.N.T.S. results

Problems

Walking into the club – it feels private• Social club open only at certain times• Is the social club only for ex miners ?• Social club feels old fashioned and outdated• Tea dances sometimes cancelled maybe due to private bookings• Perception that residents in the circle cannot hire the hall• Difficulties in having access to the social club keys• Poor response from the doctors surgery• Perception that use of the football pitch will be only for the girls • football team – and not for locals

Opportunities

For using the clubA number of local groups started – gardening, local history, mothers • and toddlers, cyclingResidents WANT to use the social club• Residents would like to improve the front of the club – gardening • clubThere are dog training facilities and spaces that could be made • availableTable tennis tournaments• Film nights with the right films• Ideas for outdoor activities• Quiz nites (successful)• History – sharing between the ages• Coffee mornings • As a small shop (used to be one)• Library•

PeopleThere are a number of “motivators” within the community• Carls “family barbeque”•

Candice• Jerry the youth worker• PCSO – Hayden• Lots of local connections and networks (family networks)•

In how to engage peopleKnocking on doors• Personal touch – getting under the skin of the circle• Leaflets to schools• Parish mag•

Young peopleSet up a young persons committee to run a youth club • Heidi and Dan to run it• Youth video to build the case for building a room / conservatory onto • the side of the social club with card entry system, run and organised by the young people who should sit on the social club committee

Insights

Betteshanger no longer has a community spirit – but people want it • backNo one can make a difference because no one can be bothered• People have their own chairs in the social club• Split community – miners and non miners• 94% feel their environment is safe and peaceful• 85% engaged in this project•

System Challenges

• Social club itself – what changes is it prepared to make?• Fowlmead cycle track and charges for usage• Long term sustainability – keeping things going.

Themes emerging

Residents want to use the social club (lots of ideas of use)• There is a community spirit in Betteshanger and people who want to • support itYoung people have capacity to develop things in Betteshanger• Some money will be needed to keep things moving in the short • term – there is a need for maybe a “community co-ordinator” on the social club committeeThe social club will need to adapt if it wishes to achieve its potential•

Over the summer

Run a “Weekend Family Taster” (;this could be combined with • Carl’s barbeque, and DT with a small group of residents and the social club could provide opportunities for residents to try different activities)

Ask the young people if they would like to make a participatory • video. This could be around their lives, maybe the mining stuff, social club and something around their aspirations etc. SILK would be able to purchase equipment and provide training to do this

Work with the social club committee? – maybe outline some more • specific proposals around changes they feel they wish to make to open the club more.