The Street that gives communities new horizons
THE YORKSHIRE COAST NEWS UPDATE
“We build connections and collaborations” - Mel Bonney-Kane The stunning white and black-framed glass curve of the building known simply as The Street, with its wavelike rooftop, is the flagship of a dynamic organisation at the heart of the community.
identify and solve their own issues, create their own opportunities, and create purposeful relationships of mutual aid and self-support.”
Coast and Vale Community Action is a social enterprise established to challenge poverty and disadvantage The Scarborough centre houses a in various guises stretching back variety of public, private and voluntary more than 100 years, providing sector organisations delivering services the means to make small changes to a range of people in the community, with big impacts in the lives of as well as offering space for hire to the poorest members of our “We know from experience that make a positive difference to lives collaborative approaches have higher and communities.” communities. clubs and activities. impact and create greater sense of Mel added: “Through a mix of “Everything happens here, from Zumba “We aim to bring people together, ownership. funding, including a significant to rock climbing, and youth support recognise their common challenges to counselling,” said Mel Bonney- and strengths, and learn from and “We believe that it doesn’t matter investment of the organisation’s own Kane, chief executive of the body work together for shared benefit,” who takes the credit for a successful resources, the building always had outcome, as long as the outcome to be financially sustainable. When that runs The Street - Coast and Vale Mel said. Community Action (CaVCA), in Lower Clark Street, tucked away near the CaVCA is a catalyst for communityCEO Mel Bonney-Kane speaks of her ethos that inspires led action. “We are the people town centre. community collaboration across Scarborough, Ryedale whom others approach when they and Whitby, with help from trustees, the staff team and “But the building is primarily here for have an idea for something that will supporting organisations. the people of Scarborough and we change their lives and that of their welcome around 150 people in through community for the better. “We the doors every day, six days a week. connect people with place. She is based at The Street and Manager for Hastings Borough has considerable experience of Council for three years; and Senior “We work to connect local people to “Our work is entirely premised on the ‘third sector’ ... the collective Community Development Worker businesses, health, local authorities helping people identify their own work and efforts of voluntary and in Hull DOC (Development Co. and education, promoting and skills and connections, to bring community organisations, social Ltd) for eight years. about the change they see is needed, facilitating asset-based approaches. enterprise and self-help groups. not the changes that others say Her experience includes financial She said: “I came to Coast and Vale “We believe that with the right are needed. and budgetary management, Community Action (CaVCA) six-andresources, local communities can staff manage me nt, physical a-half years ago - having moved from asset management, community the south coast where I ran a similar initiative design, planning and organisation. implementation, research and evaluation and business planning. “I worked fairly briefly in welfare law Mel was chief executive of Hastings in Birmingham after graduating from Trust for five years; Regeneration law school, and I have developed a
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