Page 8 - link magazine

8 The Link Magazine • November 2003
`No man is an island,' at least not in Swindon
Ann Billingham, Strategic Partnership Worker at Voluntary Action Swindon, says that for the town to become a better place,
its people need to come together for the greater good
We are all part of a community — most typically one defined by location and often the political boundary of the place that we live and work
- such as the community of Swindon or our local neighbourhood. But most of us are also a part of many other 'communities' — ones defined
by our faith, our culture, our interest in sport or the environment, our disability, our age and so on.
And it would be unusual if we The current Government is say- 'consulted' are often little more So now, let them put you in the
didn't all share a common aspira- ing several things about this, loud than listeners; or even 'involve- bigger picture!
tion for ourselves, families, friends, and clear. ment' that can mean that people Three free informal bite size
and our'communities' for a better Firstly, that every local author- are the passive recipients of some- lunch meetings have been organ-
quality of life. ity must develop a Community one else's agenda who is seeking ised, (no need to book):
Very few of us are in privileged Strategy that aims to improve the out their input. It means 'partici- A discussion on the environ-
and responsible positions of power quality of life of everyone in our pation' - an active part in a proc- ment, culture and leisure took
to either make big decisions or al- community by scrutinising and ess, along with a degree of power place on 17 October. The next two
locate resources. We are much developing all the strands of our and control. from 12noon to 2pm take place on:
more likely to be the recipients of economic, social and environmen- And the body responsible for de- Friday 7 November at Voluntary
services, policies and strategies cre- tal well-being. livering these three things to make a Action Swindon at 1 John Street to
ated and delivered with the best of Secondly, that no-one should be long-term difference is the 'new' discuss community associations
intentions by others. seriously disadvantaged by where Swindon Strategic Partnership. with Terry Iles of the Freshbrook
And most of us want essential they live and that those neighbour- It draws public service bodies, Village Group; voluntary organi-
services, like refuse collection, to hoods that suffer from poor hous- such as the chief executive and sations with Chris Lau and young
be carried out invisibly by others ing, poor health, high crime rates, lead member of Swindon Council, people and youth organisations
on our behalf. few job opportunities must be're- chief executive of the Primary Care with Anne Bethall.
But it should not be overlooked newed' in order to deliver im- Trust, and the Police, round the
that the day to day living experi- proved quality of life for residents table with representatives of the Friday 12 December at The Shop,
ence and quality of many peoples' of these neighbourhoods and nar- private sector and eight representa- Park Resource Centre, Cavendish
lives in our community depend row the gap across the whole com- tives of the community and volun- Square to discuss Neighbourhood
upon services that may not meet munity between the most and the tary sectors. Renewal with Dorothy Brown,
their needs appropriately, over least well off. To quote Bill Lochead, a com- equalities with Joe Backshell and
which they have little or no say And thirdly, that the commu- munity volunteer from Bristol, faith with Dr Rosemary Power.
and control. For example, this nity itself knows what is needed 'giving power away isn't about If you still think that your views
could be how you receive support and must have a bigger say in in- losing power; like love, giving it don't count — then come along and
for a family member with a mental fluencing decisions at a strategic away, actually creates more.' talk to your representatives on the
health problem; it could be that as and policy level, as well as a local This brings together in equal part Swindon Strategic Partnership.
an elderly person, you don't feel operational level. people who hold resources and For further information on the
safe outside but don't want to be- This does not simply mean yet power with people who know and partnership, call Anne Billingham
come isolated at home. more consultation in which the understand their communities, at Voluntary Action Swindon on
who have been elected to repre- 538398 or mail: anne@vas-
sent you. swindon.org
Swindon's ry;
Community safety in Haydon Wick
carpet
cleaning Haydon Wick residents took the opportunity to express their con-
cerns and fears about crime and anti-social behaviour at a roadshow
held in the Haydon Centre on 11 October.
professional
The event was entitled, 'Crime up an inaugural meeting of a
and Grime on your street: what con- Neighbourhood Safety Team
is ready - ,w ^
cerns you?' and representatives (NeST). These have been success-
to help er u from Neighbourhood Watch ful in other parts of Swindon, giv-
teams, the police, the Swindon ing people the chance to identify
2
• Fully trained & Council's Crime and Disorder unit, specific problems in their commu-
insured operators Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and the nities and to work with agencies
Haydon Wick Parish Council were and locally based businesses and
* Commercial rates
on hand to receive comments and groups to find solutions.
available
to offer advice. The Home Office's As Jane says, "NeSTs provide an
* Professional spotting Building Safer Communities fund opportunity for people to work
kits available is helping with costs. together to help improve the qual-
Stain removal made easy Alan Trask of Ultra Clean This exercise comes in the wake ity of life for local residents."
of vandalism and anti-social ac- The first meeting in Haydon
* Deodorising treatment tions, mainly from youngsters, Wick take places at the Haydon
Leaves carpets & Anti allergy treatment
many of whom live outside the Centre on 10 November, 7pm.
fabric smelling fresh For asthma & allergy parish. The parish council, in con- Jane Dudley can be contacted on
• Leather suites cleaned sufferers junction with other agencies, is still 466473 or [email protected]
& treated Satisfaction guaranteed considering various ways of mini-
mising the distress which these
Phone now for free no obligation estimate on disturbances cause. Play park planned
But this is not the only initiative A floodlit multi-sport hard sur-
01793 - 870756 aimed at dealing with the prob- face play area on Westfield Way,
lems of social disorder in Haydon adjacent to Haydonleigh School,
Wick. A survey form is currently has been agreed by Swindon
ULTRA CLEAN (WILTSHIRE) ,• being circulated to all residents of Council's planning committee.
Open: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm • Sat 9am - 1pm the parish providing another op- The proposal by Hayden Wick
portunity to air their concerns. Parish Council will provide foot-
www.ultracleanwiltshire.com Meanwhile, Jane Dudley of the ball and basketball courts and also
Crime and Disorder unit is setting a small area for skateboarders.