Canonbury Community Development Group
In October 2004 the Foundation held a conference to bring together 70 local agencies and residents. We were aware that there is a high level of need but fewer applications for funding came from the Essex Road / Canonbury area than elsewhere in south Islington.
The Canonbury Community Development Group was set up in 2005, after the conference. It aims ‘to improve the quality of life of Canonbury residents, taking proper account of disadvantaged and socially excluded groups'.
Supported by Cripplegate Foundation it now has 50 members. It aims to develop strong local networks. It identifies and develops new local services. It provides an opportunity for local groups and residents to work in partnership, many for the first time.
It has:
- Supported a number of innovative new projects in the area. These include a domestic violence support group for Turkish women and extra youth activities. It has trained 6 workers from local groups to deliver parenting courses in community languages and practical ESOL classes
- With Southern Housing Foundation published a booklet entitled “A Guide to Services in the Essex Road Area”. Many residents and paid workers do not know about all the different services that exist in the area. The booklet offers a comprehensive listing to fill this gap
- Brought local and statutory sector providers of services together to provide more coordinated services
- Established specialist sub groups. These meet every three months and cover:
- Youth
- Black and Minority Ethnic and Refugee
- Older People
- Commuity Spaces
- Consulted with the wider community about how their quality of life could be improved, using innovative and fun methods including:
- A survey of 136 Bengali, Somali and Turkish/Kurdish parents who told us what it is like to live in the area
- A Health Awareness morning at a local school. Over 100 people attended and told us about their experiences of using health services
- A Fun Day for the over 50’s at which activities such as Tai Chi, Line Dancing and Exercise sessions were showcased. 110 older people attended and told us about the services that they use.
In 2007 Cripplegate Foundation and the Canonbury Community Development Group entered into an arrangement with Islington Strategic Partnership to deliver the Neighbourhood Management Programme in the area. This is in partnership with Southern Housing Foundation and Homes for Islington. It will provide more support for the development of the Canonbury Community Development Group. It will ensure that there is a local voice helping to shape better services. Neighbourhood Management will aim to:
- Improve the quality of local services
- Improve access to local services
- Consult with users of local services
- Help to mitigate the impacts of poverty and social exclusion
-
Improve outcomes e.g. school results, employment and crime
- Ensure that key partners from the statutory sector are involved
During 2007/8 the Foundation will continue its support of the Canonbury Community Development Group in these aims. The focus will be on the main themes which they have identified:
- Addressing poverty
- Health
- Anti-social behaviour / personal safety
If you would like any further information about the work in Canonbury:
 Contact us
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