River Clyde Homes - Community Development
A Community Development Officer was appointed in February 2017 on a one year contract, part funded by RCH, Riverside Inverclyde and HSCP. RCH and HSCP funding was extended in 2018 for another year. The Community Development Officer was in post until March 2019, and during that time, organised a number of projects to develop the communities alongside the regeneration of the Broomhill area of Greenock.
Big Bike Revival
A project which saw £1000 from Cycle UK’s Big Bike Revival Fund was undertaken by RCH to encourage people from Broomhill to start cycling to improve physical and mental wellbeing. Group led rides and Dr Bike maintenance workshops were facilitated by local company, Clyde Activity Bikes in May 2017. This project was expanded to include all customers across Inverclyde.
Broomhill Jobs Fair
In a bid to encourage local employment, RCH organised a Jobs Fair in the Mission Hall on Saturday 26th August 2017 as part of Broomhill’s social regeneration. It was designed to help residents get back to work and/or training. The event was delivered by RCH in partnership with West College Scotland, Morton, Inverclyde Council, The Trust, DWP, Street League, RIG Arts and The Bell Group.
More than 30 people registered their interest in looking for training or employment opportunities and many more came along to take part in the family fun activities, including face painting and cupcake decorating. A £100 Argos voucher was won by local resident Ryan Harper.
Greenock Morton Positive Goals
To further support employability within Broomhill, RCH teamed up with Greenock Morton Community Trust to deliver two rounds of their Positive Goals Employability Programme for customers in 2017 and have committed funds for another three rounds this year.
Positive Goals is designed to support job seekers on their journey back to work. Each project is six weeks long and delivers a labour market-related employability programme, including three qualifications: World Host Principles of Customer Service, Core Skills in IT at Level 2, 3 or 4 and Emergency First Aid. Participants are supported for 13 weeks after Positive Goals ends to maximise their chances of securing employment.
The first two rounds resulted in 18 participants completing the programme and 61% have progressed to employment or further education.
Christmas Lunch and Crafts
RCH hosted a Christmas lunch for Broomhill customers on 11th December 2017. Residents enjoyed some food and a natter with neighbours. Prizes were won in a raffle including a Marks and Spencer Christmas Hamper worth £70.
The purpose of this event was to bring old and new customers together to create a sustainable community and to encourage the use of the recently opened Broomhill Community Hub. There were over 30 selection boxes left over and these were donated to the local foodbank.
As well as this, RCH hosted a free after school Christmas crafts session for local children on 12th December, again in the new Community Hub. The aim was to encourage young members of the community to use the new facilities and to provide them with an opportunity to make gifts for family members. The Bell Group also helped with the decorating of homemade cupcakes.
Children’s Clothing Drive and Sale
RCH organised a children’s clothing drive and sale in the Broomhill Community Hub on Wednesday 11th April 2018. The aim of the event was to:
- Reduce waste and encourage reusing clothes
- Tackle child poverty
- Raise money to put back into the community via local primary schools
£215 was raised and RCH made this up to a total of £500. The money was split between St Patricks and Whinhill Primary Schools to subsidise school trips for struggling families.
Broomy’s Bairns Den Building
There is currently no playground or children’s play area in Broomhill. RCH identified the need to encourage local children to play and build confidence outdoors.
Children who attend RIG Arts children’s art class enjoyed den building on Wednesday 23rd August 2018 and Wednesday 25th October 2018 at a play session organised by RCH and facilitated by Enterprise Childcare. Enterprise Childcare has Lottery funding to work on a “positive future project” to encourage communities to let children play outside more.
Sessions took place in the space where the new Broomy’s Bees Community Garden is due to be built on Ann Street opposite Broomhill Court. Two more sessions were organised for May and June 2018.
Family Halloween Party
RCH hosted a Halloween party for families in Broomhill on Tuesday 31st October 2017. The purpose of the event was to keep children safe and off the streets during the festivities and to target hard-to-reach families to engage with them. The event took place in the Broomhill Community Hub and comprised of games, spooky crafts, cupcake decoration and snacks. Around 35 children attended.
Radio Clyde Cash for Kids Christmas Fund
In order to tackle poverty over Christmas, RCH successfully gained £475 from the Radio Clyde Cash for Kids Christmas Grant to help families in financial hardship over the festive season. 19 local children received £25 vouchers for a shop of their choice and a selection box.
Morton Easter Football Camp
RCH received £1000 from Radio Clyde Cash for Kids Easter Fund to help facilitate a week long Easter Football camp for our customer’s children living in disadvantaged areas. The camp was held in Lady Octavia Sports Centre and was run by Morton Community Trust. 62 children attended and were provided with lunch and games each day. The camp was a great success and RCH endeavour to seek funding to deliver additional camps in the future.
Easter Egg Colouring Competition
RCH ran an Easter egg colouring competition through the Spring Broomhill Newsletter 2018. The two winners were Callie Beaton (age 4) and Patrick Trainer (age 6) who won an Amazon Fire Tablet, headphones and a protective case.
Build a Bear
As part of their Community Benefits clause, Graham Roofing funded a Build a Bear workshop for children from the Wellpark Children’s Centre Nursery on 22nd June 2018.
Cash for Kids Summer Grant – ARTventurers
RCH secured £503 from Radio Clyde’s Cash for Kids to facilitate two free messy play sessions with ARTventurers for RCH customers’ children in July and August 2018.
Broomhill Court Community Flat ‘Suite 16’
‘Suite 16’ is the community flat for the residents living in Broomhill Court. It opened in April 2018 and has been used daily by local residents. Activities are facilitated by the Retirement Housing Coordinator and include: a breakfast club, lunch club, cash bingo, tai chi, games drop ins, fish teas, etc.
The Community Development Officer worked behind the scenes to apply for grants and progress other projects e.g. a pop-up library with Inverclyde Council. These activities have improved tenants’ social lives and encouraged confidence among the elderly. Tenants are now running their own activities during the evenings and weekends, demonstrating the success and sustainability of the community flat.
Want to find out more?
Heather Mitchell
Inclusive Communities Manager
River Clyde Homes | Roxburgh House | 102–112 Roxburgh Street | Greenock PA15 4JT