Organisations Pledge Community Action

Experts from numerous local organisations have pledged to pull together to improve Boscombe and West Howe, help troubled families and increase opportunities for young people.

More than 100 people gathered at Bournemouth International Centre this week to put forward ways of working together to tackle problems in the town.

They included representatives from Dorset Police, the Primary Care Trust, Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, Dorset Race Equality Council, local churches and businesses such as Urban Reef, J.P. Morgan and Abbey Life.

The conference, organised by the Bournemouth 2026 partnership, highlighted areas in most need and called for immediate and co-ordinated action.

Bob Boulton, Chairman of Bournemouth 2026, said: “With welfare reforms affecting our most vulnerable residents it’s more important than ever that the private and voluntary sectors work together and increase their efforts. The conference raised awareness of the issues and gave real impetus to help.

“We were delighted to see private businesses so well represented and there were new offers of sponsorship of community initiatives and the promise of training and work opportunities for the young and unemployed.

“For many organisations this was an opportunity to learn how others are making a difference and to establish connections to bring about more holistic help.”

Delegates heard how a strategic assessment which highlighted major concerns around health, housing and wellbeing in Boscombe triggered the Echo-backed ‘Backing Boscombe’ campaign, with residents, traders and voluntary groups drawing up a timetable for improvements and the Council carrying out more inspections of rented homes. Bournemouth 2026 has commissioned a similar assessment for West Howe.

Work is also underway to minimise the impact of an estimated 360 ‘troubled families’ in the conurbation. The Council announced new moves to measure the scale of the problem and identify areas of concern for each family. Among the priorities to be tackled by a range of agencies working together will be: unemployment, school absenteeism, crime, antisocial behaviour, domestic abuse, mental health and drug and alcohol addiction.

Dorset Young Enterprise told the conference how a network of educators and businesses are working with local schools to inspire more than 550 young people and enhance employability skills.

Partnership working prompted by Bournemouth 2026 has brought about big reductions in arson, domestic violence and fuel poverty. The partnership’s success secured a government grant of almost £2 million last year.

By Heidi Rees (Bournemouth 2026 Partnership)

Posted: Tuesday 31 January 2012

Permalink: http://www.bournemouth2026.org/organisations-pledge-community-action

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