Need
There is a need for the provision of a variety of local community services and activities, and to encourage more community engagement.
The community needs better facilities in which to access these services. The existing hall is in a very bad state of repair and has poor access for those with mobility issues. Due to its run-down state, many current and potential users are being turned away. It is also too small for the current demand with no more than one activity being able to take place at the same time.
Evidence
The information provided below is an example. When referring to consultation or research, you should include dates to show when it took place (ideally within the last two years to ensure it is up to date) and clarify the source of the evidence.
- In 2010, the XYZ Community Association conducted a consultation exercise in the village and surrounding area about the kind of services and activities people would like to have access to, and their priorities for the type of facility needed. Every residential property in the village was given a questionnaire with a 60% response rate received, with 95% of respondents in favour of a refurbished and extended hall. Many residents were concerned that older people in the village were isolated and did not have any appropriate social opportunities locally.
- A variety of multi-generational activities were identified through the 2010 consultation, including yoga, keep fit, parents and toddlers groups, adult education, and various musical and dancing groups. The existing hall does not have the capacity or facilities to cater for many of these.
- Information on patterns of community hall usage collected by XYZ Community Association throughout 2011 reveal that the hall is currently used by many groups and is completely booked up for at least one month in advance. Only one group are able to use the hall at a time due to its poor design and layout. This also revealed that some groups were under-represented.
- Feedback obtained by XYZ Community Association during 2011 from 70% of existing users identified the need for better facilities. The building is often out of use due to poor ventilation and heating systems.
- Research conducted in the surrounding area by Top Survey UK Ltd, in the six months leading up to our application, revealed that five out of seven neighbouring villages have either no hall or have had to close theirs. The nearest hall is 20 miles away and fully booked.
- South Hams local authority data on deprivation in 2011 shows significant levels of rural deprivation and isolation, and poor access to public services and transport (with appropriate reference e.g. website).
- The XYZ Community Association has supplemented this data with appropriate information from existing service providers in South Hams in order to identify gaps in provision.
- An options appraisal has been conducted by XYZ Community Association in February 2012, looking at a range of alternative solutions, including using other local facilities or building a new hall. The appraisal concludes that refurbishment and extension of the existing hall is the best solution.
The overall aim for the project
To provide a community facility that will offer a range of services and community events to increase active citizenship and reduce isolation for local residents
Outcome(s) for the project
- Improved access to a range of existing and new community services, activities and events by local residents, leading to clear improvements in wellbeing
- Residents will report an increased sense of community through having greater involvement in meetings, activities and local projects
- Older and more vulnerable residents feel less isolated through engagement in new community activities.
Tracking progress
| Outcome |
Indicator |
Indicator level |
Timescale |
| Improved access to a range of existing and new community services, activities and events by local residents, leading to clear improvements in wellbeing |
Number of people benefiting from local youth, training, healthcare and leisure services from building |
100 new people accessing services, activities and events |
By the end of year one |
| |
|
200 new users will be engaged in services, activities and events annually |
By the end of years two and three |
| |
|
550 people report improvements to well being as a result of accessing services, activities and events |
By the end of the project |
| |
Number of new services/activities |
One new activity aimed at older people will be developed and delivered |
By the end of year one |
| |
|
One new activity aimed at disabled people will be developed and delivered |
By the end of year two |
| |
|
There will be a total of 10 new activities aimed at currently under-represented groups (e.g. older people, disabled people) developed and delivered |
By the end of the project
|
| Residents will report an increased sense of community through having greater involvement in meetings, activities and local projects |
Number and range of people taking part in public meetings and feeling more involved in decision making |
25 new people in year one and 35 in year two taking part in public meetings |
By the end of years one and two |
| |
|
70 % (77 people) of people taking part in public meetings will report feeling more involved in local decision making |
 By the end of the project |
| |
|
The number of people taking part in public meetings will increase by a total of 110 and will include younger and older people and those with disabilities |
By the end of the project |
| Older and more vulnerable residents feel less isolated through engagement in new community activities |
Number of people reporting positive changes in their social lives |
20 older and more vulnerable people report that they are getting out of the house more often |
Annually |
| |
|
30 older and more vulnerable people report that they have made new friends |
Annually |
| |
|
100 older and more vulnerable people report that they feel less isolated |
By the end of the project |
Activities
- Launch a refurbished, expanded, energy efficient building.
- Promote and market the hall within the village and surrounding villages
- Provide 12 new adult education and training courses and a social activity group for older people.
- Feedback obtained from 100 new and existing users on the new hall and the services being provided.
- At least 20 local volunteers and beneficiaries to be directly involved in the management and running of the building and project through a new steering group.
- Representation on the management committee from local people and groups that use the building.
- Continuous consultation and community engagement to take place in the local village and surrounding area.
Learning
The project learned that some groups were still not using the building - so another survey was done to find out why and inform the services on offer. The project revealed some interesting learning about barriers to local participation in decision-making that was shared with the local authority as part of its consultation on its community engagement strategy.