Stories, reflection and learning from the NTW partnership

The programme was delivered by a team of 'connectors' based in 3 geographical patches plus a wider connector network.

Neighbourhood Team: Neighbourhood Manager, Community Development Worker, Community Connectors, Life Connector, Skills Connector

The wider connector network: Volunteer Co-ordinator, Service Connectors, Multi-Disciplinary Workers, Training Connector, Business Transformation Manager / Lead

Roles:

• Community Connectors: Building relationships with local people by proactively engaging in natural locations (e.g. school gates, corner shop, parks). They find out what matters to people and connect them to other local residents, activities and support services, if needed
• Community Development Workers: Working with residents to develop events, activities, projects, and community groups to benefit their neighbourhood: the approach focuses on growing strengths and capabilities, collective action and social justice
• Life Connectors: Providing one to one support to people who need a bit of help to enable them to overcome complex life challenges and build personal resilience
• Multi-Disciplinary Workers: Providing dedicated, specialist advice and guidance on debt, benefits, housing and wider support needs. Support is provided on a one to one level, and links people to community-based groups
• Service Connectors: A transformational role, exploring new and better ways to ensure that local people with complex life challenges are able to gain supported access to the right services at the right time
• Volunteer Coordinator: Recruiting, supporting and training volunteers across the project, matching interests with skills and developing new opportunities
• Training Connector: Developing tailored and innovative training and learning opportunities, by matching the interests of individuals with the development of skills highlighted by local employers as entry-level requirements into local jobs
• Skills Connectors: Working with people to identify skills, talents and ambitions, and matching these with opportunities that will improve their work readiness and employment chances e.g. soft skills workshops, volunteering, work placements, training courses

• Business Transformation Lead: Supporting communities and businesses to work together, creating work placement opportunities for long term unemployed residents and recruiting Business connectors to pool their skills within neighbourhood teams