Is Eastleigh a Neighbourly Community Report

Is Eastleigh a neighbourly community?

Report on Informal Debate 1 October 2016

One Community Working in partnership with Eastleigh Deanery and IBEX

One Community is an independent charity, established in 1978, to support the voluntary and community sector. Our mission is to work locally to promote voluntary activity, encourage partnership working, providing community services and advocate for change, which will enhance the quality of life for all in our community.

Eastleigh Deanery’s objective is to provide assistance towards growth of worshipping communities at Parish locality through the “mixed economy” of the best of inherited, present and emerging forms of gathering, in the actual and projected demography of the Deanery. Under the Deanery Mission Action Plan (dMAP) and more specifically its Strategic Priority 3 (SP3) it specifically works with Borough-Wide voluntary Church initiatives to assist the parish worshipping communities to play their local role in being “agents of social transformation” collaboratively with all people of goodwill in the Borough - for the common good.

IBEX serves the businesses and churches of Hampshire and Dorset. It is an ecumenical organisation and is a key part of the Churches Mission to the Economy and World of Work. IBEX is a registered charity seeking to relate Christian faith to the economy and the workplace in a conscious, systematic and strategic way. It cooperates with other Faith communities, Third Sector organisations, statutory bodies and the Independent Sector.

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Introduction The three partner agencies, who work together in various fora have recognised that due to the changing environment of key statutory agencies working in the field of social and health care, the issues of self-reliance and local support were seen to be vital to enable people to stay independent and in their own homes longer.

After discussion Jean Roberts-Jones (One Community), Danny Stupple (Eastleigh Deanery) and David Wrighton (IBEX) agreed to hold an informal meeting. They sent out invitations to charities, communities and faith groups through their normal communication channels to come together to discuss the challenging topic of “Is Eastleigh a neighbourly community?” to identify what is working well and whether there are any gaps?

(See Appendix 1).

It was agreed to host the session on a Saturday morning to attract those who are not normally able to attend weekday events. 22 people came, representing 14 different organisations (although some people were members of more than one organisation but may not have identified themselves as their representative.

(See Appendix 2).

Session Plan Background information Age UK reports that “One Million people in the UK haven’t spoken to anyone for a month” This statement is a cornerstone of One Community’s visiting scheme which places volunteers with older people living alone. However, people are reluctant to come forward and say ‘I have no friends’ therefore those people in contact with isolated people, i.e. GPs, milkmen, shopkeepers’ need to be alerted to make the connections.

The population of people aged 65 plus has increased over the last 10 years, according to the 2011 census, by 21.2% to make 16.8 % of population of Eastleigh. 28.9 % of the population are single, having never married, and this is increasing.

26.8 % of population of Eastleigh live alone, almost half of whom are over 65. Eastleigh also has 9.1% lone parents Magna Housing in Somerset actually produce a good neighbours guide, to help people feel part of their community. www.magna.org.uk/magnaor/index.php?id=1449 Emily Cockayne (2012) in her book Cheek by Jowl, A History of Neighbours points out, “.. good neighbourliness is increasingly a thing of the past. A 2009 survey revealed that a third of people under 25 didn’t even know their neighbours’ names”.

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So what do we mean by neighbourly?

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So is this the picture in Eastleigh?

Small groups discussed the question, and this report outlines the key comments.

We often talk about communities………...

Do we mean geographic – Porteous Crescent or Chandlers Ford?

Or do we mean by age?

Do we mean by interest?

Or faith?

Or other factors such as disability?

Or being members of a club?

We asked if it is about people having lots to do so they feel engaged in their local area? Should we have lots of support groups or simply activity groups?

We agreed communities are: Age specific Geographic i.e. Netley Particular interest i.e. sport School gates Village halls, attending events Clubs Faith groups We felt that you need to share something, have a connection, a passion, have a sense of belonging, feel that it’s inclusive, have a similar history or experiences, share a faith / belief system. People need to feel they matter have self-worth, that someone would notice if they were not there. You feel welcome where you can be yourself.

An example given: Recently a member of an evening club said he was having to give up his car, so he was not sure if he could afford a taxi to come every week, so maybe only now and then. The person he had sat next to for over 5 years asked him where he lived and they found they lived within a few streets of each other and they agreed to come together.

One Community does a lot of signposting to lunch clubs, social clubs, healthy walks etc. but we realise that is only half of the story, how can we help get people to cross the threshold?

So we asked how do you get people to come through your doors?

Before proceeding further, it was pointed out that not everyone is a member of a club – nor do they want to be, quoting “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member” (Groucho Marks or John Galsworthy in Forsyth saga)

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How do you get new people to come into your organisation?        

  

Make your group appealing, friendly and welcoming Newsletters, posters, Facebook, website Social media – so you pop up on Google Give contact details – so people can have a warm welcome, someone ready to great them Networking – I go everywhere I can to meet other groups to make my organisation known elsewhere Connect with authorities – people who are in the know, i.e. Health & Well-being board where the Local Authority is working with the voluntary sector, and who wants to identify needs Verbal communication – word of mouth – still most effective Publicity materials can give wrong messages if you depict all men, all white, all older people, are they the only people it is aimed at? What about those with learning difficulties or autism who are unable to socialise?

Appealing to a diverse audience?

It’s our responsibility – we must try harder. People don’t know what they need until they need to know it So much is out there

Connect to Support: HCC is building a directory, which will be kept up to date, as it has a dedicated person. To connect Eastleigh initiatives to county-wide organisations, we can now feed into a local search at https://connectsupport.hants.gov.uk Reaching “non-clubbable” people What are the barriers – Shy? Hard of hearing? Lost confidence? Never been a person who joins a club.

The difficulty is often embarrassment. i.e. staff recognise that people who come to foodbanks do not always acknowledge what they need.

Some thought that people felt it was a weakness to ask for help but those in the room said no it’s a strength.

Some queried the perception that the voluntary sector is not up to the mark and people’s needs should be met by statutory authorities, but we all felt that this was no longer the case.

We felt a need to motivate people to do what is good for them e.g. take a daily walk, if it is a fun activity people will engage.

One member felt that neighbourliness is about being human, it is not a voluntary opportunity.

We felt that visiting older people works both ways, as the visitor also engages.

Some felt that some people can identify themselves as a victim and feel they do need help at all times.

Members felt that organisations need to help people break out of this and facilitate change as people don’t have to stay vulnerable.

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Some felt it was not making assumptions as we might think people need help but need to check first and offer help in palatable form.

Concern was raised about supporting individuals and asked who supports the supporter? We agreed people could phone One Community, we may be able to help or know someone who does. There was a discussion on safeguarding which is everyone’s responsibility. HCC has a useful helpline where you do not have to give details, www.hampshire.org.uk All felt that safeguarding needs to be delivered well with good relationships. We need to create communities where everyone can be together appropriately.

Some felt that words like safeguarding can be off putting, so we need to be mindful of this when communicating to our audience.

Some thought that it is harder for men to be neighbourly, as they are less likely to socialise.

Discussion raised the issue that modern concerns have changed behaviour, it is ok to go for a walk with a dog, but a man on his own can be seen as a threat?

All agreed we need to make connections.

Conclusion There was a general consensus that people needed a sense of community rather than necessarily just knowing their neighbours, as the design of homes such as of flats did not automatically allow for ‘chats over the fence’.

There was also comment about current lifestyles and peoples working patterns.

However, the group felt that there was a range of community activities and clubs people could engage with, and belong to but information about what they offer needs to be constantly updated and that information needs to be available in a range of formats and in a variety of settings and that word of mouth is probably the key method.

Lastly, we felt although most groups are very welcoming we also need to ‘sell’ that message as well and make sure groups come out to people rather than just expecting people to walk in.

Actions: One to one work with partners on a Guide to inclusion which would help groups to actively deliver the message that we want you to come in i.e. to say we will come out and meet you or call so we know to look out for you.

One Community will work with partners to develop how this work can feed into the investigation of hub working.

The team would like to thank all attendees for their input, to Julia Allan, Carol Grant, Danny Stupple and David Wrighton for acting as facilitators 7

Appendix 1

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Appendix 2

Attendees Over 22 attended the event, with representatives from: Affect Age Concern Eastleigh ARK Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council Eastleigh Deanery Eastleigh Lions Fledge Hedge End Good Neighbours Home for Good IBEX Lilies Counselling Service One Community St Francis House The Flourishing Business And 4 individuals

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Appendix 3

Informal programme Introductions Key discussion questions: 1. In the spirit of neighbourliness, everyone is invited to turn to each of your neighbours, say who they are and give 2 facts about themselves 2. What makes a good neighbour? Write down words, which describe what you think makes a good neighbour?

3. Do we think we are living in a neighbourly area? If so why? What makes it a good place to live? Please tell us about what happens where you are? Your road? Your community?

Please walk around and see others people’s comments. Coffee break 4. Some of you are members of organisations – faith groups – how do you get people to come through your doors?

Open discussion 5. How do we reach out to people? Is it important that we do? Do people have to take part? Open discussion

Summary / action points for OCE – others Thank everyone– do we have your contact details?

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One Community www.1community.org.uk 023 8090 2400 16 Romsey Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9AL Charity 1052978 Company guaranteed by licence registered in England 3132524

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