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Dee Park, a demoralized area in Reading, UK, is undergoing a significant transformation to rebuild a safer, inclusive, and sustainable community. With 1,200 households and acute social issues such as high unemployment and crime, our vision focuses on not just physical redevelopment but also on enhancing services and facilities. Active involvement of residents and stakeholders is paramount to cultivate ownership and pride. Through capacity building and targeted initiatives, we aim for improved education, community safety, and environmental quality, fostering genuine social networks and empowering hard-to-reach groups.
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Dee Park, Reading, UK Regenerating a run-down and demoralised community
The Community • 1200 households • 13% single parents • 25% children 0-14 years (Reading 18%) • 16% ethnic minority (Reading 13%) • 50% public housing, very run-down • Worst 3% crime levels in the UK
SocialIssues • High unemployment, low income levels • High crime and anti-social behaviour levels • Poor reputation • Community facilities vandalised • Disaffected youths
Vision ‘To create a safe, inclusive and sustainable community, economically, environmentally and socially, as part of the wider Reading, where people will want to live and work, and which will inspire a sense of pride’ • Not just about physical re-development - needs to address provision of services/facilities on the estate. • Fully involving residents/other stakeholders at every stage of the process is vital in order to maximise ownership of the redevelopment and achieve the vision.
Community Development Key principles: • Commitment to resourcing • Early involvement of stakeholders • Respect – genuine openness and equity • Prepared to listen and relinquish power! • Range of methodologies • Ongoing support • Continuous feedback
Community Development The Community Regeneration Action Group: • Active support from officers and Councillors • Financial support/resourcing – now own budget • Independent Residents’ Advisor – appointed by community • Capacity Building – continuous programme of activity including e.g.: • residential courses for some, • an estate based weekend workshop, • evening sessions on urban design/masterplanning • visits to other schemes
Hard To Reach Groups Arts & environment projects as a vehicle: • To engage people in regeneration process • Improving the quality of the estate environment • Develop confidence/social networks/skills • Emphasis on involving hard to reach groups • Community steering groups established • Working in partnership – e.g.: with WEA to reach Asian women; youth service; Ranikhet extended school; wardens; Open Door Cafe etc
Improving Services • Ranikhet - extended school project developing • Community safety - tackling anti-social behaviour initiatives; Street Wardens funding secured • Employment/training - Community Access Point revived; TEAshop outreach • Lousehill Copse environmental improvements • Health projects in development – walking club, men’s health outreach • Video and arts projects (team of 4 artists appointed)
Improving outcomes in ASB and crime • 5 evictions for anti-social behaviour • Witness support programme • Behavioural contracts for problem youths • 25% crime reduction • Support to individuals to avoid evictions
Improving Outcomes - Learning • 100+ people attending courses each year • Teenage pregnancy/young mums support • After school support – 158 children • Breakfast club – 70 children • School results: - English 39% 71% - Maths 43% 83% - Science 61% 100%
Improving Outcomes - Environment • Sustainable Homes Project • Lousehill Copse Conservation Project • Good standards of general cleanliness • Reduction in fly-tipping