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Visit our SRB Project page for the latest update on phase three of Urban Forum's research into the wind-down of SRB |
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The Fab Four
The
Fab Four This year, Urban Forum's annual conference headed for the city of Liverpool. This great city is building towards becoming European City of Culture in 2008. Already a centre for some of the most innovative urban regeneration work in the country, work is now moving at a frenetic pace. The conference showcased some of the highlights with a series of magical mystery tours of the city, as well as community practitioners from across the country and overseas. In a series of interactive plenary sessions, practical workshops and issue-busting big debates, Urban Forum allowed delegates to participate fully in the conference. Add to the mix inspirational and relevant keynote speakers and we hope delegates returned to their communities suitably enthused! And, of course, as usual, it was the networking event of the year. PROGRAMME Conference Chair - Paula Hirst, Chair of Urban Forum DAY ONE - 6TH DECEMBER 11.00-12.30 Come Together - Plenary Session 1 Welcome to Liverpool Andy
Churchill, Merseyside Network for Europe 12.30-2.00 Lunch 2.00-3.30
Think For Yourself - The Big Debates 1. Community Leadership, representation and democracy - are we ever going to get it from the current system? For all the talk of community leadership, devolved decision making and the modernising of local government, there is still a great deal of disaffection with the political system. Do current plans go far enough to reconnect people with democracy and politics, or do we need something far more radical? Speakers: Helen Hughes, Improvement & Development Agency (IDeA) & Perry Walker, New Economics Foundation Debate Chair: John Routledge, London Voluntary Service Council/Urban Forum Trustee 2. Economic vs Social Regeneration - is economic development going to deliver social justice or increase inequality? It's the economy, stupid! The UK economy is one of the more positive aspects of New Labour's time in office yet, despite economic growth, the gap between the richest and the poorest in society continues to grow. Can economic development be harnessed to deliver social inclusion or are things only going to get worse? Speakers: Amanda Inverarity, Community Development Exchange (cdx) & Amanda Little, London Development Agency Debate Chair: Andrew Robinson, The Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest 3. Ring Fencing vs Mainstreaming - does the Government's push towards mainstreaming increase funding opportunities or is direct funding needed? The Government has invested heavily in improving public services and delivering regeneration, with some large sums going to community groups. Local Area Agreements merge over 100 different government funding pots and should increase the amount of money that local communities have to deliver on their own priorities. But are community groups in a position to benefit from this or will they miss out when the money is being allocated? Speakers: Matthew Pike, The Scarman Trust & Matthew Scott, Voluntary Action Lewisham Debate Chair: Sue Robson, Social Regeneration Consultants/Urban Forum Vice-Chair 4. Social regeneration is failing to link local issues and global environmental challenges We might all agree that climate change, access to drinking water and the world's rainforests are important but that doesn't necessarily mean they have anything to do with urban regeneration in the UK . Are graffiti, litter and the fear of crime really global issues? What are the links between sustainable development and regeneration and are we failing to see the big picture? Speakers: Jeremy Iles, Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens & Stan Thekaekara, ACCORD/Just Change, India Debate Chair: Jill Rutter, Sustainable Development Unit, DEFRA 3.30-4.00 Refreshment Break 4.00-5.30 We Can Work It Out -
Workshop Sessions 1. Building Community Assets - maximising community resources Development Trusts across the UK are finding innovative ways of building assets and making the most of community resources to ensure they're around for the long-term. Hear how one of the most successful development trusts, Manor and Castle in Sheffield, which was originally established in 1997 to deliver an SRB scheme, has since brought in over £200m of investment. The workshop will provide practical advice to enable effective asset building and showcase the new £12m Quadrant business centre. Larry Angel, Manor and Castle Development Trust/Urban Forum Trustee PRESENTATION 2. Communicating through radio production - Ariel Trust Since 1981, Ariel Trust has used radio to support young people at risk of exclusion by building new partnerships, innovative projects and nurturing creativity. Using best practice from the broadcast industry, Ariel helps people to communicate effectively with one another. This workshop will examine how to use radio as a communication tool to solve communication problems in a community context. Paul Ainsworth, Ariel Trust 3. Community Service Agreements - action to build assets Community Service Agreements are negotiated between a range of community-based organisations and a public sector agency. Community groups agree to do certain things, such as clear up a piece of waste ground or to provide new activities for teenagers. As the value of different activities is proved, community organisations will be able to gain access to a range of resources and sustain their activities. Hear how this innovative approach is being successfully developed in Liverpool. Mike Knight, The Scarman Trust & Colin Strickland, Riverside Credit Union HANDOUT 4. Dormant Accounts - dormat but not sleeping There are currently billions of pounds sitting unclaimed in banks and other financial institutions, in so-called 'dormant accounts'. In its election manifesto, the Government announced its intention to Îreunite them with their owners or channel them back into the community'. Matthew Pike has been working closely with key financial institutions and policy makers to use these dormant accounts for community benefit. Hear about the progress that's been made and lend your voice to plans being developed. Matthew Pike, The Scarman Trust 5. Europe - the final countdown? How can community and voluntary groups in England benefit from the European Union? How are we already affected right now? What about Social Capital, Inclusion, Area-based Initiatives, Recycling and Social Enterprises? We are at a time of change - a cohesion policy has been agreed, and we move towards a budget for the next seven years. Should decisions be made centrally or locally in the UK? Why is co-financing not working? Can the UK press for things like European Structural Funds, to improve community cohesion, by giving a much more centreal role to civil society? Find out what is likely to happen next, and what we can do to influence the European agenda. Andy Churchill, Merseyside Network for Europe PRESENTATION HANDOUT & Sue Webb, Community Development Foundation 6. The LAAs - (there she goes)..here they come! The Government has announced its intention to introduce Local Area Agreements across the country over the next two years, merging over 100 funding pots and giving local areas a chance to define their own priorities and needs. Come and hear how progress on LAAs and the Safer and Stronger Communities Fund, is shaping up and how to make sure you don't miss the LAA boat. Kevin Brady, Government Office for the North West PRESENTATION & John Routledge, London Voluntary Service Council 7. Planning - making the system work for you Do you want to influence development where you live and have your views listened to? Although the Planning System is often seen as irrelevant and inaccessible to local people, but it doesn't have to be like that as community involvement is now central to the process. Come and delve into the intriguing world of Planners and learn how you can influence what's happening around you. Jan Beaumont, North West Planning Aid PRESENTATION & Louise Waring, RTPI PRESENTATION 8. Running On Empty? - energy efficiency in the community Learn more
about sustainable energy whilst having fun and refreshments? Community
Action for Energy (CAfE) is a nationla programme promoting community-led
sustainable energy peojects. They provide information, training and support
that helps communities set up and run successful energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects. Join Community Action for Energy and play games
such as Energy Efficient Bingo, Energy Snakes and Ladders, energy quizzes
and Name That Tune. There will be energy-related prizes for winners! Further resources related to this work can be found HERE. 9. Skills for Sustainable Communities - the challenge Across the English regions, Centres of Excellence are working to overcome the shortage of people with the right skills to deliver the Government's £22bn Sustainable Communities Plan. How can the public, private and the voluntary and community sectors ensure they are equipped to respond to this and make effective joint use of the skills, knowledge and resources each sector brings? Find out how RENEW Northwest is rising to the challenge to raise the quality of regeneration throughout the Northwest. Hazel Catt, RENEW North West PRESENTATION 10. Using culture and tourism to deliver physical regeneration - Liverpool '08 City of Culture When Liverpool was selected as European Capital of Culture 2008, the Liverpool Culture Company was set up to deliver the cultural programme up to and beyond 2008. This workshop enables you to see how the City is using Culture and Tourism to underpin Liverpool 's physical regeneration along with ways to involve local communities in the programme. Neil Patterson, Liverpool Welcome 11. Young People Empowered - North Huyton New Deal for Communities A highly popular session at Urban Forum's last New Deal for Communities Residents' Conference, young people from the highly successful and effective youth scheme in North Huyton will show you their DVD, share information on their grant scheme and play the interactive Snakes and Ladders game which aims to raise awareness among adults of the issues faced by young people. These young people sit on their NDC board and participate fully in the NDC process. Find out how they have achieved real youth participation. Brigette Brennan and young people, North Huyton New Deal New Future 12. Health, Social Inclusion and a Region's Economic Development - make the connections Why does health matter to an Economic Development Agency? What is the importance of the Voluntary Sector to the economic and physical health of a region? What do we need to do to reduce or remove health inequalities between regions? How is an organisation like the Northwest Development dealing with the issue? How can we do better? Find out how an Organisation handed the task of economic regeneration deals with this important aspect of social regeneration and why it is fundamental to success in the economic field. Malcolm Kennedy, Northwest Development Agency PRESENTATION 6.00-6.30 Urban Forum AGM 7.00 Conference Reception 8.00-onwards Dinner and Entertainment DAY TWO - 7TH DECEMBER 9.30-11.00 Come Together - Plenary Session 2 Cities,
Communities and Change
11.00-1.00 Magical Mystery Tours - Local Visits and Interactive Activities Due to popular demand, we have included Magical Mystery Tours to some of the most exciting regeneration projects in Liverpool. You will be able to visit one of a number of successful community projects or witness the change taking place in Liverpool in the build up to the 2008 European City of Culture. Alternatively, join us for some interactive sessions designed to inspire, educate and entertain you! Details will be sent with booking confirmation Refreshments will be served at the visit venues and in the hotel sessions. VISITS 1. Building a new City Centre - Liverpool Vision, Urban Regeneration Company (walking tour) Liverpool Vision is one of the UK 's first URCs (Urban Regeneration Company), and is responsible for guiding the ambitious redevelopment of Liverpool city centre, as set out in the Strategic Regeneration Framework. This session will explain the aims and achievements of Liverpool Vision, the role of URCs in driving urban regeneration, and give an opportunity to find out more about the transformation taking place in the city centre. The session includes a short walking tour to observe first-hand, some of the important work already underway. 2. Cast iron men staring out to sea - Anthony Gormley's ÎAnother Place' (visit by coach) Take the opportunity to put on your sensible shoes and visit a spectacular sculpture by the creator of the Angel of the North, now on view in South Sefton . This famous piece ö called Another Place ö consists of 100 life-size figures looking to one point on the horizon, spread out along 3km of Crosby Beach and 1km out to sea. The solid cast iron sculptures are made from moulds of the artist's own body. The sculpture has been installed by the South Sefton Development Trust, an organisation setting out to regenerate the area by raising its profile, improving the environment and quality of life, supporting local businesses, delivering local community services and providing local jobs. PLEASE NOTE: PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS VISIT WILL NEED TO WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES (NO HIGH HEELS!), AND MAY NEED TO BRING WATERPROOFS. 3. Clean Safe and Managed -Include Centre for Neighbourhood Management (presentation ot the hotel followed by a visit by coach) Include was originally established as part of a Housing Corporation Pilot in 2001 in partnership with Liverpool City Council. In addition to the traditional services offered by a housing association, Include has a joined-up approach to service delivery. Traditionally, landlords worked separately and only focused on their own housing stock. With the establishment of Include, a new and innovative approach to working in partnership has been established to benefit the whole community and landlords have pooled resources and worked together to address housing, environment, anti-social behaviour, health, crime and safety issues. During the visit you will visit the neighbourhood and see the impact for yourself, meet the Include Team and see the Environmental Service Organisation. 4. Community self-build - Eldonians (presentation ot the hotel followed by a visit by coach) Come and visit the Eldonians, a community-led organisation that have developed an award-winning holistic approach to regeneration. As well as delivering quality social housing, the Eldonians have developed a number of community enterprises, creating local wealth and employment. The Eldonians are constantly moving forward with new social business initiatives. 5. Culture and heritage walking tour - A Liverpool Welcome (walking tour) When Liverpool was selected as European Capital of Culture 2008, the Liverpool Culture Company was set up to deliver the cultural programme up to and beyond 2008. This visit lets you see how the City is using Culture and Tourism to underpin Liverpool 's physical regeneration. This includes a number of ways of involving local communities in the programme, including Volunteering. To give you a first-hand appreciation of how things are working on the ground, the Head of Liverpool's Welcome programme, together with Volunteers, will lead a walking tour of the city centre, covering the City's exciting renaissance, and its fantastic heritage ( Liverpool contains a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Sights include the Cultural Quarter, progress on major City Centre capital projects, the City's innovative new One Stop Culture and Tourism shop, the 08 Place, and the Matthew Street quarter. And you can discuss the plans and organisation for the build-up to 2008. 6. Gardening and Growing Project - Asylum Link Merseyside (visit by coach) The gardening and growing project is a partnership between Asylum Link, Operation EDEN, St Anne's Roman Catholic Church, the Primary Care Trust, and asylum seekers. The project creates links between asylum seekers and the local community, raising awareness of asylum issues, improving health and diet and providing positive opportunities for people to get involved. The visit shows how asylum seekers are learning to create raised plant beds, composting and growing their own food and make ambitious plans for the future. 7. A modern purpose-built community centre - Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre (visit by coach) This Centre is the vision of Liverpool Black Sisters, a voluntary organisation established in the 1970s. The original focus of the group was to provide services to women from Liverpool's Black and Minority Ethnic communities, particularly in Liverpool 8. The Centre offers a wide range of services to women and families including a children's centre, advocacy and counselling service, and a women's health suite. SESSIONS AT THE HOTEL
8. The Big Wind - Experiencing the power of renewable energy A hands-on interactive session that creates a small scale, low-impact living, demonstration centre. Participants create resources for the demonstration centre ö a live project created by the Big Issue & Operation EDEN ö generating electricity by pedal power to power a web cam, designing an eco-footprint, making a solar water heater and designing a permaculture living and growing system. 9. Hope Street - The multi-arts experience Hope Street regenerates the cultural life of Merseyside by providing creative opportunities within the community, and for emerging artists regionally, nationally and internationally. This workshop provides a taste of the physical theatre training provided at Hope Street and discusses techniques used to develop confidence and self-esteem. There will be an opportunity to find out more about the organisation's Healthy Living Centre and its large-scale outdoor projects. The workshop culminates in a short piece of new theatre devised by actors currently training in physical theatre. PRESENTATION PLEASE NOTE: PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS SESSION WILL NEED TO WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES (NO HIGH HEELS!). 10. Positive Impact Theatre - Performing arts Positive Impact helps nurture talented young black artists in Liverpool to build careers in the performing arts. This interactive session includes excerpts from their recently staged production, ÎMisunderstood?', as well as giving you the chance to hear about their training programme and performance and experience a taste- of their drama workshops. 11. Putting the funk into junk - Urban Strawberry Lunch Urban Strawberry Lunch (USL) means funky fresh beats, floor-shaking bass and urban melodies. They beat the crap out of scrap and the funk out of junk. USL have been amazing audiences and participants for nearly 20 years with their incredible instruments and fantastic music. You name it, USL play it ö on old car wheels, plastic barrels and tubes, magnets, a shop dummy's leg and (literally!) the kitchen sink. USL's session gives you the opportunity to explore your own creativity through basic percussion techniques, an introduction to composition, and improvisation and ensemble playing. Feel the rythym! 1.00-2.00 Lunch 2.00-3.15 All
Together Now - Campaign Focus Groups 3.15-4.00 Hello, Goodbye - Plenary Session 3 Final thoughts and reflections. 4.00 Conference End DOWNLOADS |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Every effort will be made to help individuals or organisations with restricted income but this will depend on the nature of the commitment Urban Forum has to make to the venue. |
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