Year 2 Study Visit Brochure 2017

The strengths and asset-based approach to community development work has been the key framework for our delivery on employment and skills. We know that the resilience of communities, the quality of support services and the growth potential of the local economy are fundamentally interconnected. We also know that economic models which assume natural redistribution to reduce inequalities, often end up leaving people behind, resulting in them feeling disconnected from the economy.

In Neighbourhoods that Work we have focused on skills and talents, nurturing these and supporting confidence around them so that people can use them towards gaining meaningful occupation. This could include polishing up a CV and taking that first step in returning to work after a long period of absence or volunteering in a community project for the first time. For some it might mean the development of fledgling community enterprises with local people creating, shaping and undertaking the work.

To move towards an inclusive growth model in Great Yarmouth, we need to ensure that we create the conditions to allow everyone to contribute to the broader local economy. Although it is important for us to connect people to new and emerging higher value jobs, we also need to focus our attention on creating sustainable jobs for people who are most marginalised from the mainstream labour market. To do this, Neighbourhoods That Work is committed to going further, by providing support to micro and small community enterprises that are started and run by local people. This commitment will enable us to strengthen the resilience of the local economy, so that it can withstand the pressures imposed by unpredictable and global markets. In helping us to realise this ambition, we are inviting our communities and partners to join us in articulating what inclusive growth needs to look like here in Great Yarmouth. Critically, we want to make sure that inclusive growth doesn't get lost or diluted as a separate theme, having to jostle for position and status amongst many other priorities. For us, it is the theme that needs to run through all of our practice, planning and investment.

Practice insights: Liam

My wellbeing is transformed. I can't wait to see what the future brings!

Liam has lived locally all his life but after leaving education, with diagnoses of depression and anxiety, he wasn't able to get out much during his 20s and at times found it difficult to feel positive about the future. Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind supported him to attend a local art group at Community Roots, a community gardening and conservation project. Liam began to attend outdoor gardening sessions there too, and met Training Connector Tim, Volunteer Coordinator Jo and 'Make it Happen' Community Connectors. Liam, enjoyed being outdoors and his confidence began to grow. Liam began to help prepare lunch for those working in the Community Roots garden and took on an active role in evaluating one of its projects. Jo suggested that Liam try volunteering at other places and he soon became a committee member of befriending group Claydon Friends and worked with Make it Happen Neighbourhood Manager Louise and Community Development Worker Lauren to negotiate pool table use and storage space on behalf of the group.

Liam is now in paid employment as a member of the Community Roots staff team. On a personal level, the Skills Connector is working with Liam to reflect his skills and experience in his CV and apply for further paid work.

Most importantly for Liam, his health and wellbeing have been transformed. He is physically more active and he now manages his mental health without medication using the Five Ways to Wellbeing that he learned through Mind. Liam feels optimistic about the future and remains active in his community work.

Behind the scenes; Volunteer Coordinator Jo's perspective

I have really enjoyed seeing Liam grow from a very quiet and isolated man into a very confident and sociable individual.

Behind the scenes; Make it Happen Neighbourhood Manager Louise's perspective

We have watched Liam grow into a real community leader; our teams are regularly at Community Roots, which has helped them to create meaningful relationships with Liam and with other people there.

Last month, Liam called by specifically to tell us that he has had a new job offer through another local charity!

Practice insights: Amina

I only enquired about an English course, but that was only the start- now I have a job!

It was at her children's school that Amina saw information about the free English courses taking place at the MESH office. English isn't Amina's first language, and although she already had a good understanding of the language she hoped that the course would help her listening skills, particularly understanding people who spoke English with the local accent. She also realised that learning more about the ways people use language within her local community would enable her to support her children's learning at school.

Through attending the course, Amina's confidence grew, and with regular visits to MESH she got to know Community Connector Julie. Julie suggested that she might enjoy some of the other courses on offer. She went on to learn about all sorts of subjects, including money management, photography and gardening and found that the courses were an enjoyable way for her to spend time whilst the children were at school, whilst assertiveness and wellbeing courses offered practical ideas she could apply to her day to day life. All the time she was also practicing conversational English, which had been her original intention.

One year on, not only is Amina able to keep up with her children's English language development, she has developed friends and connections in her local community, has new skills and experience, and following the support offered by MESH she has entered into paid employment, working for the local hospital.

Practice insights: connecting employers and community groups

Seeing is believing

Transformation Manager Leanne worked with local employer Tesco to organise a community convoy; a minibus trip around various projects in Great Yarmouth. These included Mind's Community Roots, Age Concern's Acorn Centre and Great Yarmouth Foodbank. Various local employers were invited to attend the event to learn more about local community activities and initiatives.

Employer Advisor Nita and Disability Employment Advisor Penny, both from Great Yarmouth Job Centre Plus (JCP), were on the convoy. Following their visit, all of the projects have now been added to JCP's Great Yarmouth electronic fact file, available to their staff, and JCP has since made referrals to all the places visited, linking local people to community projects that might benefit them.

JCP advisors now make a point of knowing about community projects in Great Yarmouth, meaning they can tell their customers about the different support options available to them. JCP workers are now much more familiar with the range of NTW Connector roles. Work Coaches know that they can introduce people to Life Connectors who can help people overcome complicated life challenges, and will then introduce them to Skills Connectors to help people move towards work readiness and make the transition into employment. JCP recognise that because NTW is able to spend much more time with customers than they are able to, it is of huge benefit to Yarmouth residents.