Why Re-focus?

•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

VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

in EAST AYRSHIRE

Dot Grieve & Suzanne Brodie

Why Re-focus?

•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

Overview of Vibrant Communities in East Ayrshire & context for change

Highlight Community Led Action Plans

Small projects big impact

Why Re-focus?

•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

Transforming Our Relationship

With Communities

Listening to our Communities & StakeholdersReduce the bureaucracy/red tapeSolution focussedEasier access to people & information Help make connections

Why Re-focus?

•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

Why Re-focus?

•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

A TIME FOR CHANGE

“This is not solely a matter of fiscal necessity but a once in a generation opportunity to implement radical reforms that will provide improved public services that are better focused on the needs of the people it seeks to support”

Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services (2011)

Why Re-focus?

•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

A redesigned service bringing together the talents,

experience and skills of over 100 front facing employees from…

Active Schools Community Learning & Development Service Democratic Services (support to Community Council’s) Leisure Development Services (early intervention and

prevention 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 Corporate Infrastructure and Legal

Why Re-focus?

•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

Vibrant CommunitiesKey Service Areas

Why Re-focus?

•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

An increased focus on Recognising people as assets Discovering local skills and talents Connect these assets Create opportunities for these assets to be

productive

Doing things with rather than for people Valuing work differently Promoting volunteering and giving back to the

community Building social networks

AN ASSET BASED APPROACH

East Ayrshire Community Led Action Plans

The Story So Far….

Community Led Action Plans

Background•5 year plans led by the community for the community•Transforming our relationship with communities•Ayrshire LEADER 21 Programme•Rollout to all 35 communities across East Ayrshire

THE ROAD MAP

THE RESEARCH

ROAD

Expression of InterestSteering Group

Community Survey

Stakeholder Interviews

Community Profile

Community Event

Community Action Plan & Launch

Community Led Action Plans Key Outcomes

• Increased membership of existing groups• More people involved in shaping the future of their

community• Creation of new community organisations• Increased local capacity to develop and manage projects• Communities shifting from being reactive to proactive• Communities becoming partners in their own development• Greater ability for communities to partner with public

agencies to deliver services

Impact and Benefits on the Community

“The process has really helped us to get to

know our community and what’s in it”

"It has been the community that has

decided what we want for our community, we have

ownership“

"We have found the strengths of the community and the challenges and we

are moving forward to make this plan happen"

Brought back a “sense of

community”

“It’s revived the community”

“Really pleased to be part of the steering

group, makes me feel more involved and

developing Community Spirit”

"It has been a lot of hard work. We have networked, shared

skills and knowledge within the community

and it has all been great“

“Bringing areas of the community

together that have never worked

together in the past”

“Getting things done over the lifespan of the plan will really improve the area”

“Extremely encouraging meeting

other people and sharing ideas”

Community Led Action Plans

Small projects big impact • Litter picking/hanging baskets• Community Asset Transfer• Crowd Funding (Islay Dog Rescue)• Galston Youth Forum ( Diversionary Youth Work ) • Darvel Music Company (Engaging Young People )• Community WW1 Projects ( Crosshouse &

Mauchline

Why Re-focus?

•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

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead, US anthropologist

Small pots of money can help change a community.

AN ASSET BASED APPROACH