Community Projects in Allerdale

The Allerdale Area Support team recently organised a sports development weekend for the South Workington Neighbourhood Management area. Residents of all ages including children and young people took part in a fun weekend filled with exercise opportunities of all kinds. There were taster sessions in the fitness suite, as well as aerobic activity in the sports hall and the trampolines were out for coaching sessions. Boxing for all featured strongly and even one of our community involvement workers, Sally Scales, got stuck in… having to be cooled down in the corner by Lynn Singleton - Workington’s neighbourhood development officer.

In order to offer rurally isolated residents in North Allerdale improved access to council services, a number of drop-in sessions have been set-up to improve community engagement.  The sessions, arranged in collaboration with other agencies and organisations, provide funding folders, grants information along with information on the Neighbourhood Forums, Community Boards and  other CCC services. Feedback postcards are left in each venue, when unattended, to give people the chance to have their say. 

Following speeding issues raised at the Bowness, Thursby & Caldbeck Neighbourhood Forum, and partnership working with parish councils and the police, three speed indication devices (SIDs) were purchased.   The SIDs are maintained by the police with local volunteers taking the machines in and out and charging the batteries every day.

As part of Allerdale's Community Travel planning process, the local school council were invited to run and chair a Neighbourhood Forum. The meeting was very successful - older residents appreciated the involvement of young people, who in turn gained experience in how a Forum works, chairing and facilitating, as well as public speaking. We are continuing to develop the partnership with the school, and reaching others through the Extended Schools Programme.

Following comments raised through a neighbourhood forum, the county council's Local Committee for Allerdale have funded a major scheme to improve the appearance of a busy Workington roundabout. Northside roundabout is now capped off by a ship's anchor atop a limestone-faced plinth. The roundabout is the main gateway into Workington from the North on the A596. The anchor reflects Workington’s important nautical heritage. The use of limestone also has connections to the town's industrial heritage through its use as an ingredient in the steel making process.

Following a few incidences of youth disorder in the village of Seaton, and to directly engage with young people, a group of 13 – 16 year olds were given disposable cameras to record what they did and didn't like about their community. Their films were developed and then discussed at a later meeting. The young people really enjoyed taking part in the project and having a direct say. An action plan highlighting the issues raised has been passed to relevant partners: parish, district and county councils and the police.

St Michael’s Day Centre in Workington is currently undergoing major repairs and refurbishment thanks to grants from Allerdale Local Committee, Workington Townscape Heritage Initiative, and Age Concern Northwest Cumbria. The Centre will provide a local head-quarters for Age Concern where they will provide an information resource centre, drop in advice sessions and various activities and training. 

In order to market Neighbourhood Management in a fun, but informative way, ‘recipe’ leaflets were produced by Allerdale Area Support team. The ‘recipes’ were presented to a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership(CDRP) event, and a West Cumbria Strategic Partnership event. Pictured is Jamie Reed, MP for Copeland receiving his ‘recipe’ from Sally Scales, Allerdale Team.