On the Edge – Making a Mark Through Community Action

Françoise Griffin supports this work.

This 3 year project aims to improve community spirit and well-being of residents in Lytchett Minster and Upton, Purbeck District's second largest town (8000 residents).

Background

Over a period of years a group of residents - Lytchett Minster / Upton Plan Group (PULM) - carried out extensive consultations on how to improve their town, producing a plan to address residents' concerns and needs.

The town lacks facilities and services due to its low profile from being `on the edge' of Dorset and Poole administrative boundaries. These boundary issues and the town’s relative proximity to Poole have resulted in lack of attention and resources from statutory agencies despite evidence of deprivation. Rapid development without adequate improvements in infrastructure has lowered many residents' `sense of belonging'.

The project aims to address these issues by building community spirit and involvement in activities/efforts to improve the social, environmental and service infrastructure in the town.
 

Project Activities

Around 15 schemes were selected from the Town Plan for inclusion in this project. Schemes include a community cafe; family, play and youth activities; befriending and good neighbour schemes / awards; a lift scheme; food market; credit union outlet; community events; directory / website; community road safety and environmental initiatives.

One action group will explore the best way to raise the Town's profile / identity and to work with agencies to iron-out service delivery problems / gaps in this area `on the edge'. This pilot will produce guidelines to share with other border towns / villages experiencing similar frustrations.

"Community Action Network" and an office will be established by the project to encourage groups delivering schemes to work together, share 'know how' and to steer the project.

In partnership with PULM, DCA is employing an Action Co-ordinator and part-time Administrative Assistant to coordinate the project schemes, support and  train volunteers, and monitor impact.

The main areas the project will cover are:

1. Town Identity and Information Schemes
2. Environmental Schemes
3. Families and Children Action
4. Young People Schemes – ‘Somewhere to go, something to do’
5. Mature Residents Schemes
6. Road Safety Schemes
7. Development of Community Spirit development Events Schemes

About PULM

The Upton and Lytchett Minster Town and Parish Plan was produced by a steering group of independent local people known as P-U-L-M (Plan for Upton and Lytchett Minster). The plan is extremely comprehensive and covers a wide range of issues and concerns, including the location and identity of the town and its community facilities, amenities and services. The plan explores the town’s current and future development needs, and their impact on the built and natural environment.

PULM was supported by the Town Council, Purbeck District Council and Dorset Community Action, but the Plan is a local product, based on what local people have said through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, discussions and exhibitions over an 18 month period.

The ‘On the Edge' Project is based on the Upton and Lytchett Minster Town and Parish Plan and aims to address some of the plan's main priorities.

Visit the PULM Website : www.uptonandlytchett.org  or download the Upton and Lytchett Minster Town and Parish Plan [PDF; 6Mb].