ROC Conversations - West Wirral
ROC Conversation West Wirral took place on 12th May 2010. The event was being hosted at West Kirby URC Church Hall, Meols Drive, West Kirby.
Over 150 people were in attendance in a packed hall. it was really good to welcome friends from Merseyside Police and Merseyside fire and rescue service as well as members of the community, churches from across West Wirral and representatives from the local council.
ROC Conversations Feedback - West Wirral
We'd like to start by saying a huge THANK YOU to you all for your participation in the evening and a special thanks to Tony Wilson, Brian Clarke and the team for hosting the evening so well. Thank you to Inspector Paul Vickers and all the police officers who came. Also, to Tony Mooney from Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and the other fire officers and to Councillor Gerry Ellis.
The aim of these evenings is to identify new projects between church, police, local residents and other stakeholders. We will be following up the suggestions made last night (listed below). Please contact us with any news about new project ideas you are exploring and we can publicize it for you.
Here are some of the points that were discussed and the outcomes from the evening (a full list is available on request):
What are the local needs/issues being faced by your community?
Anti-social behaviour, drug use & dealing, alcohol abuse, underage drinking, nothing for young people to do in the evenings.
Vandalism, graffiti, litter, debt, poverty and low income in some areas.
Lack of facilities for the youth, no community football pitch, car parking issues, speeding.
Single parent families, shop lifting, youth groups are closing, youth hang around street corners.
Lack of communication between groups, misperception of levels of crime.
Young people rioting in parks at 1am, lack of community, young people do not want to get involved in organised activities.
Fear of young people, lack of funding in areas, dog fouling, pollution, older people are isolated, loneliness.
Young people do not get involved in the community, more police presence needed.
A main point brought by many groups concerned the lack of communication of what is going on. Also a
lack of inter-generational understanding and working.
What is already happening in your area? – existing projects:
Diversionary activities run by police, street lighting has been improved, CCTV, talks by police in schools, 'Friends of Grove Park',
Womens Institute, Mothers Union, Youth Groups and Clubs, after school drop in.
Mother and Toddler groups, Brownies, Scouts, Cubs, Cadets, Guides, school summer fair.
Chess club, snooker club, police surgeries, dance studio, flower shows, Irby Cricket Club, library, summer play scheme.
Coffee Mornings, bowls, drop in centres, new community centre coming, Sure Start Centre.
'Bike It' project (contact Simon Wallace www.sustrans.org.uk/bikeit) , pastoral visits to elderly, Wirral Youth Orchestra, skate park, Cafe Sunday, young mums group.
School video project (contact Jane Pugh Merseyside Police), lunchtime drop in for youth, youth parliament, skills sharing, bike show, bingo.
'How To Drug Proof Kids' starting in June (contact Barbara Hardcastle CASH - Churches Action in Substance Abuse), 'Groundbreakers', children's clubs, community support and development officer.
Tennis coaching, community football, hip hop Monday, holiday clubs for older people, luncheon clubs for older people.
Men's breakfast, Neighbourhood watch scheme, cafe church in Costa Coffee, new play area including things for youth.
Mobile police surgery, 'Tea, Listening and Company' project, West Kirby youth worker, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern Lunch, 'The Big Lunch'. Flame CCR (Christian Community Radio - 1521 Med Wave).
Check out www.visitwestkirby.com
The Police produce a neighbourhood newsletter. To report crime anonymously - Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Potential New Projects:
ROC Café was mentioned a number of times. If you would like further information on this please contact us on 0161 946 2373 or email us.
More sports activities with the police & young people - football teams/events, starting church teams.
More volunteers for existing projects, volunteers database, local database/website about what is already going on in the area.
Local football team, community radio, more yourh clubs, 'Youth Hub' in West Kirby, charity sports days, sort out parking issues.
Swimming pool, messy church on a saturday, community carnival day in the park, fireworks display, bike park.
Projects to bring young and older people together, love one another, gatherings around food, public meetings.
Dance classes, free music lessons, ice rink, cycle paths, BMX track, skate park, recording studio, film making classes.
Adopt A Church, allotments open all day, dance workshop, street parties, residence association.
Biker breakfast in school and ask police officers to come, monthly Forums, Pride In Community, tell young people about what is going on,
Bins for dog mess, football tournaments in holidays, litter picks, utilising buildings that already exist.
Church BBQ on the beach, apply for more funding, 'happy stories' in police leaflets, non-alcoholic pub, concerts in church.
News sheet, age 14+ drop-in centre, cheap ameteur concerts, cheaper things for young people to do, sports clubs, youth church clubs.
There are several ways you can get involved in Redeeming Our Communities in the future:
- Could you be a ROC Ambassador? If you would like more information, please contact us.
- Join us at The Velodrome in Manchester on June 30th (Stuart Street, opposite Manchester City FC) for our Showcase event involving 4,000 people from across the North West. The event is free but book online via our web site. IF YOU REQUIRE FLYERS LET US KNOW AND WE WILL POST THEM.
- if you have a leadership role, would you be interested in joining a small ROC Wirral core team?
- We are also hoping that churches might consider hosting a 'ROC Sunday' and inviting a local police officer along.
If you would like to know more about ROC Café, OSBA’s or would like more information on how to get a project started please get in touch with us on 0161 946 2373 or email us.
Please also keep us up-to-date with what projects are going on and are starting in your areas.
It’s great that we all share this vision to see our communities transformed. We are really keen to find churches and individuals to partner with and if you could help with practical support, or finance we would love to hear form you. We are looking for ROC Ambassadors, so let us know if you are interested.
Please forward this to any people who were not able to attend or print off for people who do not have access to email.
The first ROC Conversation in Merseyside was held in Maghull on February 10th 2010. You can read a report from that evening here.
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