Objective 2 Projects
The Hillfields Partnership Board has approved the following projects under the Hillfields Objective 2 Action Plan.
Hillfields Action Plan Programme Management
Providing Support to the Hillfields Partnership Board and for the delivery and management of the overall Action Plan. Without this, none of the projects could work.
Phoenix Health Inequalities Project
This community project supports local people to take a more active role in ensuring Hillfields is a healthy and positive place in which to live and work. It also works with community organisations and targets minority and excluded sections of the community.
Working Actively To Change Hillfields (WATCH)
WATCH is a community organisation directed by a Management Committee of 15 local residents. It is involved in the following three projects:
UK On-line Centre
Enabling local people to access state-of-the-art ICT equipment by developing a UK on-line centre complete with internet access using broadband, providing expert IT training at all levels including developing a Learn Direct Centre and running bite-sized courses for specialist skills. Careers advice, access to job vacancies and e-mail is also available at the project which is based at WATCH.
Young People's Project
Encouraging and preparing young people for the world of work by building confidence and providing access, guidance and support through open learning materials.
Community Capacity Building Project
This project funds two community development workers, Sarah and John, to work with community groups to provide support and help to promote the involvement of the community in the regeneration of the area. Sarah and John play lead roles in the Hillfields Action Groups for health, safety, environment, police liaison and the Hillfields team meetings. They are up-to-date with most things happening in the area.
Building the Capacity of Phoenix Five Credit Union in Hillfields
Credit Unions are co-operative organisations offering everyone a way of saving and borrowing. All members are treated equally, particularly when it comes to borrowing money. This project funds a full-time credit union manager who will set up a shop front office - the first of its kind in Coventry - which will be easily accessible to everyone.
Interaction
The environment people live in affects the way people feel. So, working closely with the community, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust will improve a number of green space across the area. This will include building bird boxes for a local park and holding a bulb planting day to brighten up a pocket park.
St Peter's Library & Training Centre
Complete with a wide range of books, talking books, CDs, DVDs and with a state-of the-art computer suite with free access to the internet, the facility at St Peter's Centre has got something for everyone. The state-of-the-art library opened on 12 January 2004.
Hillfields Neighbourhood Wardens
Introduced into the area in June 2001, the wardens have the job of helping to make Hillfields a cleaner and safer place. Originally there was just one warden, but now the area boasts four as well as a team leader and they are all funded until 2006. In the last eighteen months the team has dealt with over 6,000 requests for help ranging from fly tipping issues to abandoned cars to direction giving. Each warden undergoes a thorough training programme, which is an on-going process throughout his or her employment.
Hope Centre
Providing local people with a multi-purpose facility to build capacity, support existing community partnerships and ensure those at greatest disadvantage benefit from the opportunities offered at the new centre. People will be able to leave their children in the neighbourhood nursery whilst they do a training course in the Learning Zone, have a coffee in the community cafe or attend a community hall. Programmes specifically for the elderly and younger people are planned, at a site which will offer something for everyone.
The Clifton Street Project
Offers local people the opportunity to develop skills in literacy, numeracy and IT alongside a range of accredited courses in subjects including Early Years and Childcare (NVQ or equivalent), cookery, art and more.
Hillfields Marketing Project II
Hillfields is a good place to live and it is important that everyone promotes a positive image of the area. This initiative is working to build pride in the local area, develop the confidence and involvement of local people and to address the negative stereotypes about the area including creating a more positive media image.
Empowering Ethnic Minority Communities Through Capacity Building
This project is empowering refugee communities to actively participate in the sustainable regeneration of Hillfields. The project is bringing people together, offers training and employment opportunities and advice and guidance alongside the opportunity to share skills and knowledge. A positive image of the area is also promoted and celebrated through art, music and dance.
Interpreting Development Project
Hillfields Energy Action
This project provides energy advice for everyone but especially young people and those at risk of ill health from cold housing conditions. Awareness is also raised through community presentations and training sessions.
Community In Mind
Located in Far Gosford Street, the centre is a base for a number of mental health services for young people, adults and older people in the Hillfields area. It operates self-help and relaxation Programmes and younger people's services alongside educational courses for local people experiencing mental ill health.
Hillfields Crime Reduction Officer
The funding for this project provides for a Crime Reduction Officer, who is a civilian member of staff, trained in crime prevention and reduction techniques and who provides support to the Crime Fighting Team and the community as a whole.
Way of The Goose
The Way of the Goose is a production and training programme for the long-term unemployed in Coventry. The objective is to train and equip men and women who have been unemployed for a long time or who are disadvantaged or socially excluded and to help them back into a job.
STEPS to Employment & Excellence
This project aims to provide personal development training to disadvantaged people in Hillfields. By delivering the National Open College Network accredited programme Steps to Excellence for Personal Success (STEPS), people are given the tools to develop strong mental health and to be empowered and better motivated to work, engage with education, and act as volunteers in their community.
Outreach Advice Project
Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has obtained a grant to provide advice in the Hillfields Ation Plan Area. The project has been funded for three years enabling two CAB Caseworkers to advise at five venues.
Young Peoples Project
This project will enable young people in Hillfields to develop the skills required to organise their own enterprises. These include a youth cafe run by and for young people with training, placement and employment opportunities and a computer suite complete with graphic design, web-based design and IT training. A multi-media recording suite will also be managed by young people who have developed the technical and creative skills to use the suite for music and video recording, media training and rehearsal space.
Weavers' Green
The purpose of this project is to increase the amount of green space in the area, improve safety, improve traffic calming measures, build the capacity of residents and increase environmental awareness. It will also help to build pride and confidence in the area, with the ability to facilitate change.
Southfields School
This project involves three schools in Hillfields - Southfields Primary, Frederick Bird Primary, and St Mary's and St Benedict's, and pays for the provision of Community Mentors who work with disadvantaged families. The aim is to support the families of the pupils in these schools to recognise and value education and improve the life chances of both themselves and the next generation. The outreach work will help adults to access ESOL classes, family learning to support their children's education, supporting the parents to access health, housing and dealing with any financial difficulties that they may have.
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