Benefits of community projects recognised

A community internet café and a programme to help prevent homelessness in young people were among four Bromsgrove Partnership projects commended for bringing benefits to residents at the Worcestershire Compact Awards last month.

The projects, delivered by the Bromsgrove Partnership of public, private and voluntary sector organisations working together, received certificates at a ceremony held at the County Hall in Worcester on November 7.

The four projects commended were:

1. Multiple agencies coming together, including the Social Enterprise EPIC (Empowering People in Communities), to deliver learning, skills, support activities and community resources through the Trunk to residents of Charford and Sidemoor, and soon to Catshill too.
2. The opening of the community internet café the Starlight Café in Charford in March, where EPIC (Empowering People in Communities) and bdht also run a social enterprise called a ‘Skills Exchange Academy’.
3. A falls prevention exercise programme between the District Council's Sports Development team, Age UK, Housing 21 and bdht bringing health benefits and improved mobility and coordination, as well as a sense of independence, to local older people.
4. And finally, STaMP (the Schools, Training and Mentoring Project), a partnership education initiative between the District Council, St Basils and The Basement Project going into local schools to help to prevent homelessness amongst young people across Bromsgrove

Vice Chairman of the Bromsgrove Partnership Board Ann Sowton said: “We were very excited that four Bromsgrove Partnership projects were nominated and I am happy to see the advantages of the partnership working with the voluntary sector are being promoted.”

Cllr Adrian Hardman, Chair of the Worcestershire Partnership Board said: "In Worcestershire we are committed to working collaboratively and we are proud that the benefits of partnership work are being recognised.   Working closely with the voluntary sector in Worcestershire helps us to better understand the needs of our residents and ensure that they receive services in the best way.” 

The Worcestershire Compact is a commitment between the statutory sector and Voluntary and Community Sector which aims to ensure the two sectors work together effectively.

Pictured above: Marie Green (bdht), Cllr Adrian Hardman (Chair of Worcestershire Partnership Board), Della McCarthy (Bromsgrove Partnership Manager), Peter Hopkins (Chair of Worcestershire Compact Steering Group), and Debbie Roberts (EPIC).