the story of the better communities fund

Positive impactThe story of the Better Communities Fund

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When the Trust was established in 2007 we were clear that our work would go much further than improving the bricks and mortar – it’s why our vision is better homes, friendlier communities – together.

The £9 million Better Communities Fund was created to help bring that vision to life. We have invested this funding into a huge variety of projects, from estate transformations and adventure playgrounds to parking bays and dropped kerbs. One thing these projects have in common is that they are making a difference to our residents’ quality of life – whether they are brightening up a neighbourhood, making it easier for someone to access their home or giving residents opportunities to develop skills to get back to work.

This report tells you about some of the key projects that the Better Communities Fund has delivered. It includes large, ambitious schemes such as the visual transformation of Foxhill, and smaller projects such as the new play facilities at Watford Mencap Children’s Centre. Big or small, the intention for a good Better Communities Fund project is to

INTRODUCTION

contribute to a healthier, wealthier, greener, cleaner and friendlier neighbourhood. They are all having a positive impact to the communities of Watford and Three Rivers.

Although the Better Communities Fund is now fully committed we have set aside £500,000 for a new programme, the Community Development Fund, which will invest smaller grants in projects that improve our local neighbourhoods – you can read more about this on page 12.

Tina BarnardChief Executive

Needs identified: Under-used space, poor local facilities, anti-social behaviour

Partners involved: Holywell Action Group, West Herts College, Hertfordshire Police Safer Neighbourhoods team, Groundwork Hertfordshire

BCF investment: £110,000

Outputs: Remodelled landscaping, meadow planting, public art, improved accessibility

Impact: Healthier, greener, safer, friendlier community

The green area at Croxley View was under-used and inaccessible to people with mobility problems. There was a lack of local pride in the space and it was becoming a magnet for anti-social behaviour.Using the Better Communities Fund, the Trust worked closely with the Holywell Action Group and the Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team to make the area safer, more accessible and more attractive.

We commissioned Groundwork Hertfordshire to remodel the landscaping, creating new pathways across the green to improve accessibility – this was important with a large sheltered housing scheme for older people, Cussans and Colborne House,

nearby. We also planted wild meadows and installed new play facilities for children and young people.

We then worked with West Herts College to create an eye-catching piece of public art for the area. The Trust ran a competition for students on the 3D Design Diploma course, and the winning design, ‘Nesting’, was brought to life by metal craftsman Richard Heron.

Kathy Green Chairperson, Holywell Action Group, said:

This project has benefitted the whole community. The children’s play area and paths are used every day. The wildflower areas are attracting birds and butterflies, making the area much more pleasant. Without the BCF the area would have remained very little used… The BCF has far exceeded our expectations and we think it’s the best money the Trust has ever spent! Since this project was completed in August 2011 it is still being used daily.

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CROXLEY VIEW OPEN SPACE

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Needs identified: Opportunity to combine new build development with improvement of neighbouring environment

Partners involved: Consultation with local residents


Outputs: Re-cladding of external elevation to flats, renewing integral garage doors, new block entrance doors with canopies and enhanced lighting, new playground

Impact: Safer, cleaner community

The Trust was building twelve new affordable family homes on the former site of Yeatman House in Foxhill. These would be modern homes featuring attractive timber cladding, but residents of the neighbouring flats were concerned that their blocks, which were built in the sixties, would look ‘tired’ in comparison.So the Trust invested the Better Communities Fund in a facelift for these blocks. We fitted modern timber cladding to the flats, replaced the garage doors, and took the opportunity to fit new block entrance doors with a canopy to provide shelter from the rain which also had better lighting for security.

The Trust also replaced the playground, working with children from nearby Cherry Tree School to ensure that it met their needs. The BCF team also asked

Cherry Tree pupils to decorate the site hoardings for the new homes, to brighten up the area while the building work was taking place.

The project had a real galvanising effect in offering existing residents external improvements and giving the whole area a lift.

Dorothy Thornhill Watford’s Elected Mayor, said:

I’m really proud to celebrate the new look Foxhill. I can’t think of a better illustration of the Trust’s vision for its neighbourhoods than what I have seen today.

FOXHILL AND BRUSHRISE

Before.

After.


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Needs identified: Part of the Trust’s strategy to create community hubs in 80% of local areas

Partners involved: Local residents, Watford Borough Council, Watford Deaf Club, The Dan Tien performing arts school


Outputs: Refurbishment of the centre for community use

Impact: Healthier, wealthier, greener, friendlier community

The Harebreaks Community Centre, built in 1967, was in urgent need of refurbishment. In 2012 the Trust successfully competed for a 20 year lease on the building and refurbished it to offer a community facility to the local area.

Since re-opening in January 2013 the centre, renamed Harebreaks Community Hub, has been a real success. The Dan Tien performing arts school has relocated to the ground floor and runs excellent services for local children.

HAREBREAKS COMMUNITY HUB

The Deaf Club has continued its long involvement at Harebreaks and the Hub is also being used for a local pre-school, a Pop-Up Business School event, and various social groups.

Amy Lazzerini Co-Principal at The Dan Tien, said:

The BCF has enabled us to develop our not-for-profit business and give us the security of having a permanent base from which to run our school. It has meant that we were able to invest our resources into installing specialist dance equipment, which we wouldn’t have been able to do if the BCF hadn’t funded the majority of the improvements to Harebreaks Community Hub.

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Needs identified: Part of the Trust’s strategy to create community hubs in 80% of our local community areas

Partners involved: Local residents and user groups, Watford Borough Council


Outputs: Refurbishment of the centre for community use


After successfully securing a 99 year lease on Leavesden Green Community Centre from Watford Borough Council in 2011, we started an ambitious £900,000 refurbishment programme to transform the 1950s building into a multi-purpose ‘Community Hub’.

Although we have maintained the ‘footprint’ of the centre, the Hub is barely recognisable from the previous building that stood on the site. We have extended it, creating a brand new state-of-the-art space, available for a wide range of community needs.

While the new Hub retains two halls for hire, it also boasts a number of smaller meeting rooms, increasing the number of activities it can be used for. It has also been connected with high-speed Wi-Fi.

LEAVESDEN GREEN COMMUNITY HUB

Needs identified: Part of the Trust’s strategy to create community hubs in 80% of our communities

Partners involved: Hillside Residents Association


Output: Internal improvements to the office

Impact: Healthier, friendlier community, increased use by members of the community.

Hillside Estate Office is a focal point for the community – a place for local meetings held by the Hillside Residents’ Association and other groups.

When the Residents’ Association applied to the Trust for BCF funding to refurbish the office, we used the opportunity to give valuable experience to apprentices on our Gateway Repairs Team.

REFURBISHMENT OF HILLSIDE ESTATE OFFICE

As a result, the entire refurbishment was undertaken by the apprentices as part of their practical training and experience within the building and maintenance trades.

The revamped estate office is now being used more than ever.

Peter Scott Chair of Hillside Residents’ Association, said:

The refurbishment is excellent and we are running a number of community events and services from the estate office. This would not have been possible without the BCF.


Needs identified: Better quality play and exercise at the Meriden

Partners involved: Watford Borough Council, Berrygrove School


Outputs: Development of a sports facility for all ages.

Impact: Healthier, safer, friendlier community. Continues to be popular with all age groups and is in constant use.

The Meriden Sports Legacy Zone, designed with input from the Olympic medallists Steve Backley and Roger Black, is an extensive play and recreation area on Meriden Park. It features 23 pieces of equipment across six ‘zones’, plus a fitness trail which runs half the length of the park.

The scheme is a joint project between Watford Community Housing Trust and Watford Borough Council. It has been specially designed by Proludic, one of the UK’s leading providers of outdoor play and sports equipment, as well as the two British Olympians. It was the first Sports Legacy Zone to open in the UK.

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The Trust also worked with children from Berrygrove School, ensuring that they had a say in the final layout of the scheme.

Today it is in almost constant use by all age groups and there has been no vandalism – an indication that young people have taken ownership of the equipment.

Dorothy Thornhill Watford’s Elected Mayor, said:

It’s great that Watford is leading the way nationally with this innovative sports zone. For me this is best explained as a kind of super adventure playground for all ages, which focuses on fitness and sport. It will offer residents of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get fit, socialise and have fun.

SPORTS LEGACY ZONE

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Needs identified: Improved play facilities

Partners involved: Watford Mencap


Output: Refurbishment of soft play area for recreational/therapeutic activities for children with learning disabilities

Impact: Healthier, safer community; better quality of play for children visiting the Lemarie Centre

The Trust awarded £3,500 from the BCF to refurbish a soft play area at Watford Mencap Children’s Centre, which is used by children with learning disabilities.

The play area takes up a whole room at the Children’s Centre in St Albans Road, providing a safe environment for children to engage in the ‘rough and tumble’ of active play while also learning how to interact with each other. It is a key part of after-school activities at the centre.

Sarah Fishwick Manager of Children’s Services at Watford Mencap said:

We really appreciate Watford Community Housing Trust’s support. The children love the soft play area. It’s an all-time favourite and it’s great to have it refurbished – thank you.

Needs identified: Better quality local sports facilities, space for young people

Partners involved: Watford Borough Council, Radlett Road Residents’ Association


Output: Sports and games area

Impact: Healthier, friendlier community; in regular use by local residents

The BCF provided funding for this MUGA, which was delivered by Watford Borough Council.

Our involvement in providing funding came as a direct result of our consultation with local residents. They told us there was an urgent need for more facilities for young people in the area so we were delighted that, working in partnership with Watford Borough Council and the residents themselves, we helped to make it happen.

The space is very well used and we hope it will be a focal point for young people to unite around sport and develop their full potential.

Needs identified: Better quality local play provision

Partners involved: Three Rivers District Council, Hillside Residents Association, Abbots Langley Parish Council

BCF investment: £40,000 contribution

Output: A new natural play area, developed in consultation with local people

Impact: Healthier, friendlier community; in regular use by local families.

The Trust was delighted to contribute towards the creation of this state of the art play area in South Way, which was installed by Three Rivers District Council in August 2012.

Hillside Residents’ Association and Abbots Langley Parish Council were also involved in this highly successful project.

The wide range of play equipment includes slides, see-saws and a zip wire. Plus there is even something for the adults to do thanks to the inclusion of an outdoor gym, including a ski machine, rowing apparatus and exercise bike.

SOUTH WAY NATURAL PLAY AREA

SOFT PLAY AREA FOR WATFORD MENCAP CHILDREN’S CENTRE

RADLETT ROAD MULTI-USE GAMES AREA (MUGA)


Needs identified: Education and training opportunities for local residents on low incomes

Partner involved: West Herts College


Outputs: Small bursaries enabling people to study at West Herts College

Impact: Healthier, wealthier communities

The fund provided grants to students who were struggling to pay for expenses such as childcare, travel, course fees and materials and who would otherwise have been unlikely to undertake their studies.

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Needs identified: Community broadcasting service for local young people

Partners involved: Vibe 107.6


Outputs: Investment in the establishment of Vibe 107.6 at Gateway House

Impact: Healthier, friendlier community

Vibe 107.6 is a community radio station for the under 30s in the Watford area. It broadcasts from a studio based at the Trust’s offices, Gateway House.

The BCF provided start-up funding which helped to pay for essential broadcasting equipment.

We provided this investment because we support Vibe’s work to provide training and opportunities to the young people of Watford, giving them new skills and experience in a media surrounding.

The station provides an excellent service in promoting local events, engaging young people and providing the Trust with a platform to promote opportunities for local residents.

Matt Cadman of Vibe 107.6 said:

The BCF funding helped to get the station off the ground. The key beneficiaries have been the young people we have been able to train on the equipment which the BCF meant we could buy.

EDUCATION ACCESS FUND VIBE 107.6

Of the £50,000, over £32,000 was allocated to Trust tenants, with a further £4,800 going to people who live in our community areas.

A fifth of the students who received a grant were disabled or had a learning disability.

Emma Doree Director of Admissions at West Herts College said:

The students, through the funding provided by Watford Community Housing Trust, have been able to access education and training that would otherwise have presented significant financial barriers.

Needs identified: Diversionary youth activity to address anti-social behaviour within Trust communities

Partners involved: Woodside Motor Cycle Club; Hertfordshire Constabulary; Youth Connexions; Francis Coombe School


Outputs: Additional motorcycles and safety equipment, electrical infrastructure to club house and storage facilities.

Impact: Safer community

The Woodside Community Motorcycle Project (WCMP) provides diversionary activity for young people in the area and an alternative to crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

The project is based in one of the Trust’s heartland areas and many of its participants are drawn from our community areas.

All the members sign a contract to stay free of crime and anti-social behaviour or be expelled from the club. This is monitored by contact with local police links.

The Trust was delighted to support the project by providing funding for new motorcycles and safety equipment, allowing more young people to participate.

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Needs identified: New equipment to allow community music group to continue

Partners involved: Herts Mind Network


Outputs: Purchase of musical equipment

Impact: Friendlier communities

The community music group, which began at the Wellbeing Centre and is now based at Holywell Community Centre, is run by John Brighton.

He began the drop-in sessions for service users of Herts Mind Network, helping them to build up their confidence and improve their socialising skills.

However, they were using second hand instruments which were in a poor state of repair – which is where the BCF came in.

Using the grant, John was able to buy a new electro-acoustic guitar, a Yamaha keyboard, a banjo, some microphones and some recording equipment so that the group can now make their own CDs.

John Brighton said:

The BCF has continued to benefit our community group because we can now provide three sessions a week. Players and non-players regardless of age can drop in for a short while or a whole session. This is a major contributor to getting their confidence and socialising skills re-learnt and helping them back to a more normal life.

COMMUNITY MUSIC PROJECT

WOODSIDE MOTORCYCLE PROJECT


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Needs identified: Use of redundant, overgrown land on the Meriden Estate

Partners involved: Herts Mind Network, West Herts College


Outputs: Transformation of space into horticultural training centre and trading space


This project saw the transformation of a plot of seemingly useless scrubland into a horticultural centre which hasn’t only changed the Meriden, it has changed lives.

Created together with Herts Mind Network, the Green Canteen is a place where you can pick up gardening and horticultural skills, either as a volunteer or on a three-week course for just £10.

The ‘Learn to Garden’ courses – run by West Herts College – are for three hours over a period of three weeks. These will be structured introductory courses enabling budding gardeners to develop skills in areas such as soil preparation, sewing and planting seeds, cultivating growth and potting on young plants. The course is useful for anyone who wants to extend their gardening skills and even those who plan a career in horticulture.

Produce is sold to the local community, with profits reinvested back into the business. The Green Canteen also has a ‘trading shed’ selling second-hand gardening equipment, such as pots, tools and watering cans.

Hon. Arabella Stuart Smith High Sheriff of Hertfordshire 2012-13, said:

I would like to congratulate all those whose vision and determination has put together this partnership. The Green Canteen is fruitful for the volunteers, the trainee gardeners and the local community. It is a real asset for those who live here, an opportunity for everyone to enjoy growing or buying fresh local produce.

THE GREEN CANTEEN

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Needs identified: Education, training and employment opportunities to boost cycling in Watford

Partners involved: Watford Cycle Hub, Holywell Community Centre


Outputs: Transformation of space in Holywell Community Centre into bike workshop and retail space; recruitment of apprentice cycle mechanics


Watford Cycle Hub, which was established in its current form with start-up funding from the BCF, is a non-profit community bike centre which provides a range of cycle related support.

They offer bike repair services, maintenance courses and cycle training. They also accept old rusty bikes and recycle them, salvaging what they can. In turn they also sell affordable reconditioned bikes and bike parts.

The business aims to create a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ that will promote cycling as an enjoyable, safe and healthy form of transport, which is also good for the environment.

It is based in the Holywell, one of the Trust’s heartland areas, within easy access of many of our tenants. One of the Hub’s apprentices was recruited after his parents, who are Trust tenants, received a text message from us advertising the position.

Watford Cycle Hub also aims to overcome some of the economic and cultural barriers to cycling, and create employment opportunities by offering practical work experience to local people who are interested in becoming cycle mechanics.

WATFORD CYCLE HUB


The Hub links in with Watford Borough Council’s transport and health agendas, and was visited by the Prime Minister in August 2013 to launch the government’s national programme of investment in cycling.

Kate Jenkins founder and General Manager of Watford Cycle Hub said:

It’s brilliant to have had the support of the Trust and be setting off on an exciting new venture. Putting something back into the community is really important to me. Recycling bicycles and cycling offers so many opportunities to do that and combines a personal love!

This will invest in projects that help us to achieve our Community Development Strategy, which aims to give people pride in their neighbourhood and make Watford and Three Rivers a better place to live.

Initially it will fund projects which fit one of the following four themes:

• Well-being

• Olderpeople

• Creativearts

• Improvedlifeopportunities

What the future holds Our Community Development Fund

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At the time of this report, September 2013, we have already taken forward projects to improve life opportunities. These include fitting Leavesden Green Community Hub with high speed Wi-Fi; holding a prize draw which gave away recycled computers to 25 of our tenants (both parts of our “digital inclusion” project); and a Pop-Up Business School, based at Harebreaks Community Hub, to help local residents to work for themselves.

For further information about the Community Development Fund, contact our Head of Communities, Susannah Brunert, on 01923 209159 or at [email protected].

Although we have now committed all of the £9 million Better Communities Funding, £500,000 of this has been set aside for a new programme which started in 2013 – the Community Development Fund.

Watford Community Housing Trust is an Industrial and Provident Society registration number 30183R and registered with the Homes and Communities Agency number L4495

Contact us:Watford Community Housing TrustGateway House 59 Clarendon Road, Watford Hertfordshire WD17 1LA

T 01923 209 000 E [email protected] W www.wcht.org.uk

watfordcommunityhousingtrust

@watfordgateway

the story of the better communities fund

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better communities fundwhen

communities of watford

better homes

area safer

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smaller projects

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