Access4Life Great Yarmouth
From Norfolk RCC
This project has now come to an end (March 2011).
Project Update
Initiatives completed
Community Car Scheme
Five villages community car scheme now open for business. This new community car scheme covering five villages across three parishes now operating providing a vital transport link to the most vulnerable.
Using volunteer drivers this scheme is covering trips to local medical appointments, shopping and social opportunities across the villages of Belton, Browston, Burgh Castle, Fritton and St Olaves in the borough of Great Yarmouth. For more information and how to book journeys. Please click here
Rural Services Guide
We are pleased to announce that our Rural Services Guide has been published and delivered to every household in the borough. To read the guide click here
Communicating with your Communities Workshop
This workshop was hosted by GYBC with delivery assistance from Anglian Water and attended by parish councillors, village newsletter/magazine, editors, website editors and voluntary sector project staff from accross all 21 parishes. Content of the workshop included producing newsletters, magazines and articles, effective journalism and how to write a successful press release.
Reaching Out Bus Tour
In partnership with Great Yarmouth Community Housing and a local tenants group Rural North TARA, a multi-service provider outreach tour took places over three days visiting 15 villages across the borough. This was both an awareness raising exercise and a unique opportunity of offering face to face access to expert advice, information and guidance. This was also an opportunity for service providers to undertake a rural proofing exercise.
Initiative Development
In order to address the themes that came from the consultation this project is now working on the below initiatives.
1. Community Car Schemes
Working with local residents and Parish Councils to set up and run a Community Car Scheme in two separate parishes. This will provide a transport option for those who can’t utilize the existing public transport provision and improve accessibility to the local hospital.
2. Computer Training
Using local primary school facilities this project is coordinating basic computer training (including internet and email sessions) and access to the internet in villages which have poor internet connections or other well publicised barriers exist. In some cases competent students will assist school staff in delivering this training thus providing an added benefit of intergenerational community cohesion and in other cases local volunteers are leading it.
3. Rural Services Guide
A publication detailing local services (such as advice services, safer neighbourhood team, alternative transport options) community groups and details of how to contact parish councils. To be distributed to all households across the project area.
4. Media Training
A tailor made session for editors of parish magazines/newsletters and community groups who want to learn more about publicity and effective use of different forms of media. It will focus on readability, presentation, basic marketing/promotion and have an element of sharing best practice between attendees.
5. Rural Bus Tour
In partnership with a local Tenants and Residents Association this is an outreach tour of local service providers to raise awareness and knowledge of what services are available whilst also act as a rural proofing tool for providers.
Community Consultation Phase 2 - Access4Life Survey
The second stage of community consultation is a survey distributed across the project area to both households and key services e.g. libraries. The results will be used to develop and implement a variety of initiatives to improve access across the borough. Local feedback will be published in your area later this year and throughout the project with regular updates on this website.
To complete the survey please click on the link at the top of this page.
As a first for Access4Life, a specific Youth Survey has been developed to consult and engage with the young people of the villages regarding the access issues they face because of where they live. This will be distributed via local secondary schools and youth clubs and will give a clear picture of areas which need addressing in order to support this important generation.
Project Background
Following on from successful Access4Life Projects in North Norfolk and Breckland, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has commissed the Norfolk RCC to run an Access4Life project in the rural parishes of the Great Yarmouth Borough. The project aims to meet targets identified under the Sustainable Community Strategy and is largely based on Community Consultation.
The project has completed its initial stages; undertaking initial consultation, setting up a Steering group of local providers and services and also a Local Reference Group which will be formed of representatives of the 21 Parish Councils. If you live in the following communities or represent a local community group and have issues accessing key services such as a food shop, doctors surgery, education, employment or advice services we would like to hear from you.
The rural area includes: Ashby & Oby, Bastwick, Belton, Billockby, Bradwell, Browston Green, Burgh Castle, Burgh St Margaret, Caister-On-Sea, California, Clippesby, East & West Somerton, Filby, Fleggburgh, Fritton, Hemsby, Herringby, Hopton-On-Sea, Martham, Mautby, Newport, Ormesby St Michael & St Margaret, Repps, Rollesby, Runham, Scratby, St Olaves, Stokesby, Thrigby, Thurne, West Caister and Winterton-On-Sea.
We are pleased to announce that confirmed members of the Steering Group include representatives from the following organisations:
Great Yarmouth Job Centre Plus
Norfolk Council for Voluntary Youth Services
NCC Planning and Transportation
Great Yarmouth and Waveney NHS PCT
Great Yarmouth Borough Disability Forum
For further information please contact Sue Penlington (Access4Life Project Officer) on 01493 722783 or email susan@norfolkrcc.org.uk.