Growing Together

In this film, local resident Clive describes his involvement in Big Local, the difference it has made to his community and his learning along the way.

We have been busy this week preparing Christmas boxes for some of the families we work with. Thanks to The National Lottery Communities fund for helping to fund this and to Morrisons for some treats for the children

Thanks to The National Lottery Community fund for a grant to support us getting our community work re-started after lockdown. Hopefully we will be back litter picking and running groups soon.

A safe activity during the pandemic - people coming together to spruce up brookside community garden and have a chat

Lots of bread, pastries, pittas and cakes donated by Tesco. Do pop down and help yourselves.

In these odd times we decided a Friday treat was in order. We all had lollies, chocolate and strawberries in the sunshine today. Even all the staff joined in.

Easter egg hunt, picnic snack and digging for worms, over in the community garden. We've had lots of fun searching high and low for Easter eggs and the children even had a go at hiding them for their friends!

Today is the last chance for you to tell us how Growing Together has made a difference to you, your family and the community. Many residents have already filled in the survey, but we would like the views of everyone. It only takes three minutes and it will help us to develop activities and get funding in the future. Thank you in advance for your time!

Community hubs have become a significant element of Big Local plans. This film shows how the Brookside Community Hub is making a difference to the everyday lives of local residents.

Growing Together Big Local includes an area of lakes which surround the housing estates. The lakes had been neglected and become very silted up and shrubbery was overgrown. Following a pollution incident residents decided to take some action. Growing Together brought together a number of partners and with its own Big Local money and funding from the Environment Agency, Northampton Borough Council and the Mick George Community Fund, the lakes in Swanhaven Park have been cleaned up. They are already attracting much birdlife and can be enjoyed by the local community.

Community hubs have become a significant element of Big Local plans. This film shows how the Brookside Community Hub is making a difference to the everyday lives of local residents.

Local residents, young people's groups, Big Local partnership members, a local councillor, the LTO and other officers from the public and voluntary sectors met together to review Growing Together's progress since 2013. This film highlights some of the contributions and key messages for Big Local and other programmes.

In June 2019 Our Bigger Story hosted a 2 day event for all the case study areas. During this time, each of the OBS areas mapped their journey. Here are a few photos.

Growing Together Big Local has used its resources to respond to local people's aspirations for themselves and their area. With just one big project left to complete, (to improve the environment around three local lakes), this film illustrates some examples of what has been achieved so far.

Growing Together Big Local has supported the development of community activity through its small grants scheme. One project they have supported was a Saturday morning drama club. This has now grown into an independent performing arts group which has a base in the local shopping centre. This film illustrates how it works and its value, as identified by the young members.

The group was started up by the head teacher, Leigh Wolmarans, in 2013 at the local primary school in the Growing Together area. They acquired funding from Growing Together and support from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Intermission Theatre and the University of Northampton. It has been very successful, they have now had to move to larger premises in the local Weston Favell shopping centre. The youngsters attend sessions before and after school and at the weekends. Ages range from six years old to teenagers. This is one of the sessions, this group is working on West Side Story.

Growing Together Big Local works across five distinct areas. In 2017, they opened the Brookside Community Hub and a community gardening club has developed. The increased activity at the hub and the improvement to the physical environment around the hub have improved residents feelings about where they live. This short film tells the story of the community garden.

The community Hub, after consultation with the local parents, decided to add some more equipment to the existing ones. Funded by Growing Together they acquired a slide and a see saw.

Goldings play area was installed after consultation with the local community. Unfortunately the slide was destroyed within a few weeks. Several people in the area decided they would get together and replace the slide in readiness for Spring.

Shirley will explain how it started and what they are doing, hot meals are provided on Wednesdays and Christmas day, exercises, bingo and many other activities. All elderly people living in the area and looking after each other.

A quick look at some of the activities in the Growing Together area in Northampton

After consultation with many local people it was decided that a place where people could go for a coffee and a chat would be very useful. The Hub now has two rooms in the local community centre, one for socializing and one for private consultations.

Foxcovert Wood is one of many new play areas for different age groups installed along with gym equipment and youth shelters throughout the Growing together area. An opening day was held and attended by many of the local youngsters and residents.

A discussion between partnership members about they work together, what's been achieved so far, how they are making a difference, how they manage their own and others' expectations, and their thoughts about the future.

Young people describe the difference Change of Scene, a project supported by Growing Together, has made to their lives.

Volunteers from the community and Big Local volunteers came along for a walk through, participating in a big clean up. Free refreshments were also provided for the helpers and volunteers.