Combining Asset Based and Grassroots Techniques to develop a Mixed Method Approach to Cultural Planning

for the Barrhead Foundry

Christine Browne, Economic Development Officer & Sarah Angus, Arts Services Manager

East Renfrewshire Council

£3.4m capital project...

Location...

Located within the Levern Valley area of East Renfrewshire, Barrhead is one of the most deprived communities in Scotland (SIMD, 2012) and has been identified as a Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) area by the European Union (2004). It is a community well known for its social and economic deprivation; unemployment, addiction (alcohol and drugs) and crime are prevalent along with poor physical and mental health.

The DNA of Barrhead

Tangible Assets

• Library• Sports Centre• Museum• Schools• Government buildings• Churches• Parks• War memorial• Shops and cafes• Public spaces• Growing local economy• Inward investment

IntangibleAssets

• Active Citizens• Community pride• Community spirit• Heritage• Connected communities• Strong identity• Strong sense of place• Strong relationships• Diversity

Photo credit: http://www.drookitagain.co.uk

What already exists in Barrhead?

Partnerships

Community

Health and Well-Being

Culture

Resources

Arts Development

Libraries

CHCP

Sports Clubs

Ethnicity

Social Issues

Accessibility Mental Health

Skills for life

Heritage

Place

Identity

Jobs

Early Years

Regeneration

Local economy

Pride / Values

Local Art Groups

Sports Development

Nurseries

Shared beliefs

Customs/rituals People

Diversity

Inclusion

Ideas

Shops and cafes

Buildings

Learning Schools

Parks

Public Spaces

Investment

Expression Definition

Improved health outcomes

Economic Development

Societal Improvement

Break poverty cycle

Prevention

Employability

Museum

Council Buildings and Health Centre

ASDA

Local Businesse

s

Barrhead Foundry

Local Library

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Active Citizens

Community Spirit

Space?

Local Radio

Youth Diversion

Local Paper

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Barrhead Foundry

Tubal Foundry Barrhead Foundry

Skills for Employment

Skills for Leisure

Health and Wellbeing

Local plumber, John Shanks, established the Tubal Foundry in

1866. This was a centre of industry in

the area and an employer of many

local people.

Stories

CHALLENGES

Community resentment, suspicion, negative experiences, bad press / negative messages on

social media, wasting tax payers money

Temporary relocation of sports users

Local businesses loss of income due to parking constraints during build and new “better”

facilities in new building Arriving at community engagement too late, no

community consultation for internal layout Locals residents feel too intimidated – “not for

the likes of us”, failure to connect, empowerment and ownership

Attempting to implement a new model for public services in the future (prototype)

Risk averse, self preservation, resistant to change, staff capacity and buy-in

Policies and procedures (tendering, can’t negotiate, data protection)

Limited budget and resources, Having to do more with less, accountability, “that’s not the way we

do stuff here”

Trying to get council services to collaborate

OPPORTUNITIES

Increase opportunities to learn and get involved /

Positive contribution to urban development & stimulate local economy

Investment in arts development and cultural facilities

Partnership working with established agencies (The ARC)

Improved accessibility and inclusion

Communication and cooperation between council and community leading to improved perception

Respond to community needs

Attract additional funding (Creative Scotland, Sport Scotland), previously unexplored routes

Putting Barrhead on a national platform, announcing “we’re open for business”

Contribute to the Early Years Collaborative And Youth Diversion Strategies through targeted

programmingSupport the Preventative Spending Agenda and

contribute to the SOA and ODPBreak the poverty cycle & change a generation

The journey?

How?

Learning

Identity

Partnerships

ProactivePR

CommunityEngagement

StorytellingBrand

Champions

Empowerment & Ownership

Social Enterprises

Digital

Common Vision