Big LocalGood Practice in Action…

Walkie Talkies™

GROUNDWORK KENT & MEDWAY

Walkie Talkies™

“Walkie Talkies™

Began in 2005 in Swanscombe Kent.

A simple idea that works!

Local people walking and talking to residents about things that matter to them.

Why we think it works

• It’s truly local• People trust their Walkie Talkies™

• It is independent and seen to be independent

• It has good mechanisms to let information flow in both directions

• Sustainable• Provides good value for money• Inclusive

Who is a Walkie Talkie™

Local people

Local networks

Swanscombe and Greenhithe

From this….

To this….

How to do it…

• Community development work

• Local networks

• Local people

• Local partnerships

• Training

• Links to other Walkie Talkies™ to share best practice and learning

What makes it work• The Quality of the project is only

as good as our Contacts and the People we employ

• Walkie Talkies are recruited directly from the local community

• Have good local knowledge and social networks

• Are passionate about making a positive difference in their town

At Windmill Community Allotments

How we connect• Word of mouth• Via social hubs used by ordinary

people• In school playgrounds, cafes,

allotments, hairdressers, community centres, sheltered housing, coffee mornings, shopping centres, major local events, on the streets… anywhere people go

• Providing accurate, useful and impartial information

The Tivoli Centre

The group were delighted to be asked their opinions

about their town

Working closely with the Seafront Design Team

What a Walkie Talkie™ does..• Training to empower individuals to act

as community advocates / get factual information from briefing sessions

• Working day – the team go where and when they are needed (regular routes)

• Feedback – via local steering groups / community forums

• Uniform – wear a distinctive uniform with logo, easily identified, builds trust

Walkie Talkies and Big Local

• Walkie Talkies were already working on Tree Estate when Big Local was announced.

• Relationship with local people and agencies already established.

• Trust was already there

What we have been doing..

• Garden Party for Older Residents• Community Fun Days• Allotment Open days• Coffee mornings at the Community

Centre• Regular visits to local groups,

schools, children's centre, shops• Face to face conversations• Attended summer fetes at local

school and park.

Cont…

• Working with our Youth Officer to engage the Young People.

• Looking at recruiting Young people to be Walkie Talkies.

• Regular meetings with Princes Community Forum.

• Door to door consultations on Big Local

• Always ready to listen

What we found…From 270 direct responses through face to

face consultation and questionnairesPriorities identified by the community:• Youth; community activities; activities to

engage young children and teenagers.• Community Safety; more police on the beat;

cctv; tackle ASB; speeding cars/motorcycles; youths loitering.

• Health and Wellbeing; exercise classes; job advice; life skills training

• Environment; More planting to brighten area; better maintenance of alleyways/green areas; tidy up gardens /properties; better / more frequent bus service

• Community “Hubs”; renovate Tree CC and develop a community centre for Phoenix

CONTACT DETAILS

Groundwork Kent & Medway

48 Canterbury Street

Gillingham ME7 5UN

01634 855166gkm@groundwork.org.uk

www.groundwork-km.org.uk