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Community Spirit Today..
A lot of thought has gone in to what we were looking to achieve, and since the day of conception by Martin Young (Mains of Scotstown Inn) we have moved on leaps and bounds. Now in addition to the Mains of Scotstown Inn owner and management we now have the Bridge of Don Community Partnership, Rotary Club, Community Council, Local Policing team and Aberdeen City Council to name a few. (To find out more on our partners... Click here...)
One of Martins main motives was not only the feedback from his businesses in Bridge of Don but the recession and general news reported around the area and the press.
Introduction
“The Place Survey” was a new attempt by the Government in 2009 to measure people's perception of their local area amid concerns that Britain is a "broken society".
However, it found almost a third of the population think people in their local area do not treat each other with consideration or respect.
Two-thirds of people thought that parents in their local area did not take responsibility for the behaviour of their children.
The Conservatives said the results showed the "slow death of community life". However, the Government at the time insisted the vast majority of people were happy with where they live.
The poll of 500,000 people was commissioned by the Department of Communities and Local Government to find out how people feel in today's society. It found 31 per cent felt people in their local area do not even treat one another with respect.
Drink and drug taking was also widespread with 29 per cent of people complaining of drunk or rowdy behaviour in their area and 31 per cent highlighting drug dealing as a problem.
Just a quarter of people thought that the police are dealing with anti-social behaviour in their area or sought the public views on community safety issues.
In a time where cut backs are becoming common talk and job losses are part of normal life in some areas, it is time we put something positive back in to the community to bring out the community spirit in a constructive and developmental way. With the cutbacks within Aberdeen being imminent along with possible job losses, neighbourly spirit will soon be low. This is where “Our Gala Project” can enhance the community spirit and neighbourly trust.
The Big Idea…
Here are some possibilities we think are possible important points.
RESIDENTS: Build local community spirit through free events and activities for the whole family.
POLICE &
LOCAL SERVICES: Ability to network/liaise with the community,
groups and businesses. Building trust and
respect through actively joining in on the
events if able
BUSINESSES: By sponsorship and attendance businesses can integrate into the community, gaining much needed support from the local residents.
Bridge of Don has much more to offer and there is a huge amount of businesses, groups and social networks that are currently unknown by the majority of the residents... The community is equally about the facilities as it is about the residents, as without either there is no community.
Funds for the Community
In year 2 we would predict Our Gala Project can be used as a vehicle to raise funds in the community that will stay in the community, not only to provide entertainment and events for the residents, but a fund that can put projects in place to improve our community and wellbeing. Working closely with some of the following groups and organisations to achive a common goal:
· Bridge of Don Community Partnership
· Community Council
· Local Authorities
· Schools and nurseries
· Local Businesses
· Local charities
· Rotary club and other organisations
· Churches
· Residents Associations
· PTA Groups
· Youth organisations
· Care homes
· Police and neighbourhood services to the community
· City councillors
By working with these groups, there are a number of achievements that can be gained by investing funds back in to the community in year two of the project.
· Community Safety Plans: Identifying residents’ concerns and their solutions to tackle crime, anti-social behavior and harassment.
· Community Action Plan: Tackling areas in Bridge of Don that require funding. Including park areas, woodland areas, school projects, areas of vandalism…. etc.
· Festivals, Conferences, Public Events - and more.
· Youth Projects and Crime Diversion Projects: Involving young people from start to finish – designing and evaluating projects themselves, involving young people at risk of offending in positive activities, diverting them away from crime.
· Drugs & Drink Awareness and Reduction: Training for the young and old: Showing what to look for and how to deal with problems. Sponsoring school awareness.
 
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