Communities in United Kingdom
MSHA serving the Dallow Ward Community
GOOD PRACTICE TITLE: MSHA serving the Dallow Ward Community
KIND OF PRACTICE:
DOCUMENT AUTHOR (ORGANIZATION AND AUTHOR NAME):
Mary Seacole Housing Association, Lennox Adams
PLACE: Luton
CONTEXT, FIELD OF INTERVENTION:
Community Building
PERIOD:
2014 - present
POPULATION, PARTICIPANTS:
People of Dallow Ward, Luton
MSHA clients and staff from Dallow Ward and elsewhere in Luton
Sector organisations in Dallow Ward who wish to promote their work
Stall operators
COORDINATORS:
MSHA
METHODOLOGY (HOW THE PRACTICE WORKS):
The methodology is simple:
• Imparting a message to people in a society: using public service providers to show how they interact with people
• Collecting information on a topics of local interest: using a set of roving reporters to gather opinions on 6 key local issues
• An opportunities for the different ethnicities in Dallow Ward to participate in a number of common activities
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS:
The Brantwood Park annual event is used by MSHA to encourage its clients to engage with society in an open but safe environment. The annual event is also used as a promotional vehicle for MSHA as a way of giving something to the community in Dallow Ward. As a Family Fun Day for the community everyone is invited. The activities held in Brantwood Park are functional, primarily to counteract the unpleasant activities taking place in Dallow Ward, such as: drug use, alcohol abuse, prostitution and other anti-social behaviour. Such behaviour deter families using the park – a brief survey indicated that residents of Brantwood Road want to reclaim the space. Others will benefit as a result.
The annual Family Fun Day operates on the principle that Dallow Ward families will not be charged an entry fee for the event. The Fun Day has activities include: inflatables, reptile experience, face painting, sweet trolley, fire truck experience, raffles and competitions, music stage that is used to host a talent contest to be judged by Heart FM Radio.
MSHA would also like to encourage the wider community to attend the event and experience the diversity of talent and services present in Dallow Ward.
The Fun Day also showcases the services available in Dallow Ward including: Luton Police, National Health Service, Luton Fire Service, Jam Rock, Heart FM, Tesco Stores, Active Luton Fitnes-For-All-Programme, A-Plan Insurance, Pictons Solicitors, Luton Borough Council, Luton Fire Brigade and any local businesses in the Ward who want to hire a pitch and advertise their businesses.
The annual event is advertised on radio, television, newspapers and magazines.
• Collecting information on a topics of local interest: using a set of roving reporters to gather opinions on 6 key local issues
• An opportunities for the different ethnicities in Dallow Ward to participate in a number of common activities
TIME TO BE SUCCESFUL (HOW MANY TIME THE PRACTICE TAKE TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES):
Each visitor is expected to participate in at least one activity approved by MSHA event committee
VALIDITY (IF THE PARTICIPANTS THINK THAT THE PRACTICE RESOLVED THE PROBLEMATIC):
The annual event is valid because it targets a social priority that is affecting Dallow Ward. The priorities are determined by Luton Borough Council based on local research. In the period 2014 – present, the key issues investigated annually are:
• Anti-social behavior in Dallow Ward
• Developing a stronger community in Dallow Ward
• Tell me something about Dallow Ward
• What is good about Dallow Ward
• What needs improving in Dallow Ward
People do not think that the annual events will solve all these problems but they are looking for recognition of the problems and some alleviation of the problem. Since the first event, people have seen a cleaner and greener Brantwood Park, refurbishment of the children play area and an increase in the number of community activities such as sports and school activities.
There are occasional serious issues such as knife crimes, drug selling and drug use and prostitution in the park. The annual event invites people to offer solution. The main solution is for a greater Police presence in the area. People have commented on the increase Police presence around the park, which has made it a much safer place for families.
IMPACT:
The annual vent is now established in the Luton calendar of events. The first event was held in late Spring. Since then, the event has been held in mid-Summer, when warm weather is guaranteed and school children are on holiday. The size of the event is limited to 26 stalls/activities and a central stage, see photograph. In addition to the local companies and organizations, the event has attracted many important visitors, including:
• MP for Luton North
• MP for Luton South
• Mayor of Luton (see photograph)
• Town Councillors
• Luton Carnival Centre
• Young Entrepreneurs
The scope of the event has spread beyond Dallow Ward. People from other parts of Luton attend the event. As a result, MSHA is careful not to let the number of visitors in the park exceed 1500. This means that the gates must be manned throughout the event
INNOVATION:
Each year, MSHA conducts a survey to find out the best ways to attract participants to the event. These have included:
• Your Say Your Way Initiative, in conjunction with Luton Borough Council
• MSHA Tea Room in conjunction with Near Neighbour Church Urban Fund
• Crime prevention measures in conjunction with Bedfordshire Police
• Home safety in conjunction with Bedfordshire Fire Brigade
• Drugs and alcohol awareness in conjunction with SAFE
• Environment awareness in conjunction with Groundwork
RESOURCES OR CONDITIONS NEEDED FOR THE PRACTICE:
This annual event is one of Luton’s large-scale events. Brantwood Park, approx 3 hectares, is Luton’s oldest park and is maintained by Luton Borough Council. All activities in the park must be approved by the Council. Various licences are issued depending on the type and scale of the planned activities. Each stall holder must have the appropriate licence for the activity provided at the stall. MSHA must make an annual application for each planned event. There is a limit on the number of events that can be held in the park so that local families do not feel excluded.
The park gates must be manned at all times so that the licensed number of visitors to the park is not exceeded.
LIMITATIONS:
The event is limited to 1500 visitors in Brantwood Park at any one time, otherwise, the through flow of visitors can result in as many as 3000 visitors in one day.
LEARNED LESSONS: :
It is very difficult, and expensive for MSHA to plan for every possible eventuality and so MSHA works in partnership with local organisations who can share the burden of managing such a large event. It is becoming very difficult to afford the cost of the event without some form of local funding.
SUSTAINABILITY:
MSHA sees the importance of an annual event. There is an annual charity ball, which is counterbalanced by an open event for the people of Dallow Ward. The event is made sustainable by applications for local funding.
REPLICABILITY:
The event can be repeated in any large, managed open space
CONCLUSION:
MSHA is happy with its social responsibility with respect to the Dallow Ward Community. The annual event gives the ethnic group in Dallow the chance to interact in a positive way. The event also solidifies MSHA’s work in the Ward.