Calling
all Community Groups……
Earlier this year Cambridgeshire ACRE
received funding from the National Lotteries Charities Board to deliver
a unique and important programme entitled “Our Communities Our
Future”. The programme will survey Cambridgeshire’s rural-based
voluntary organisations and community groups (see below), develop a
series of training programmes and provide a range of advice and support
mechanisms for Cambridgeshire’s voluntary sector.
The initial phase of the project is being
launched in January 2001. This
involves a questionnaire will be sent to each voluntary organisation and
community group situated within rural Cambridgeshire.
Given the survey is just the start of this exciting project,
Cambridgeshire ACRE is keen to ensure all voluntary organisations and
community groups ‘have their say’ and are able to benefit from the
project’s longer-term objectives.
For clarification, voluntary
organisations and community groups are:
·
Not for profit organisations (e.g.
Playgroups)
·
Run by volunteers (e.g. Meals on wheels,
Women’s Institute)
·
Registered charities
·
Working for local communities (e.g.
Village Hall Committees, Village Appraisal Groups)
·
Dedicated to particular issues (e.g.
Sports / Hobby Clubs)
East Cambridgeshire District will be the
first area to be surveyed, therefore, if you represent a voluntary
organisation or community group within that area, please contact me as
soon as possible and I will ensure you receive a copy of our
questionnaire.
I look forward to hearing from you
Teresa Jones
Community Outreach Worker
Cambridgeshire ACRE, Old School House, Green End Comberton CB3 7DY
Tel / Fax – 01223 264997. Email
– teresa.jones@cambsacre.org.uk
Bottisham ‘Focus for Action Event’
Over 30
members of Bottisham community came together on Saturday 14th
October 2000 to formulate an action plan for the future of their
village.
Focus
groups on the environment, housing, village amenities and transport
provoked much lively discussion and ideas.
With everyone’s input, decisions were made as to the best ways
to address community issues. Suggestions
such as a Village Directory for community groups and facilities,
footpath improvements, a village entrance and a long term housing plan
were amongst the many ideas generated.
Event
organisers Deborah Willis and Teresa Jones said:
“We were very encouraged both by the number of
people who attended and the levels of energy and motivation within the
focus groups. The community
has gained a new focus to get involved with a united vision.”
A copy
of the write-up report from the afternoon is available from
Cambridgeshire ACRE. As part of ongoing support to community groups
provided by Cambridgeshire ACRE, Teresa Jones, Community Outreach
Worker, will now be able to assist and advise the community of Bottisham
in implementing the action ideas.
For
further details about the event in Bottisham or doing a Community Action
Plan in your village, call Deborah Willis at Cambridgeshire ACRE on
(01353) 860850
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