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This community-led neighbourhood partnership in Gillingham, started in 2003, brings together existing voluntary, public and private sector agencies to make the most of resources to improve the quality of life for the community in Twydall.
The partnership is made up of:
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Twydall is made up of a number of neighbourhoods that often have very local problems, such as parking, vandalism or a lack of shops and services. These issues are addressed through co-operation between regeneration agencies and local residents and stakeholders. The key regeneration zones identified are: - Woodlands (west of Ito Way);
- Featherby (Ito Way to Eastcourt Lane);
- Twydall Green (Eastcourt Lane to Pump Lane);
- Rainham Mark (Pump Lane to the eastern ward boundary);
- Beechings (north of Beechings Way).
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Community futures workshops
These were held in 2005 and identified the top priorities for neighbourhood improvement for residents and others, which formed the basis of the Twydall Neighbourhood Action Plan (NAP).
The key issues for Twydall are:
- a large population of elderly people with related health and social isolation issues;
- a lack of services for young people;
- above-average rates of teenage pregnancy; problems;
- transport problems;
- low levels of skills.
A community development worker works with a Medway Council Social Regeneration Officer to deliver projects based on resolving these issues. He supports and encourages existing and new community groups and delivers projects using community participation. The post is funded by Church in Society.
Projects
- A proposed £500,000 refurbishment of the Beechings Way playing fields
- A proposed £500,000 refurbishment of the Woodlands School playing fields
- A £250,000 road safety development (traffic calming, road signs etc.)
- Support for the development of business and skills
Small-scale, self-financing projects
- Twydall Village Garden Club (more than 50 members)
- Twydall Luncheon Club (more than 30 members)
- Twydall computer class
- Twydall Korfball after-school club
- Pregnancy reduction programme
- Choir concerts and exchanges
Holy Trinity Church Hall refurbishment
The hall was provided with:
- a restored sprung wooden floor;
- new tables and chairs;
- carpets in meeting rooms.
As a result, more people all ages are using the hall for a range of activities.
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Langton Park The park re-opened on 26 April 2006. It was formerly part of the Langton Playing Fields and open to the public since 1935. It has been regenerated in response to the lack of open spaces identified in the Twydall NAP. Work on the park was secured with a grant, under the European Union's Interreg IIIC POSEIDON project and a number of partners were involved in refurbishing it: - Medway Council's Playground Installations Team put in the benches;
- community service workers dug the flower beds and installed the sign;
- The Phoenix Explorer Scouts, members of the Twydall Village Garden Club and other residents planted bushes and flowers;
- Medway Council provided dog bins and cleared rubbish from the park;
- Cozenton Park nursery staff cared for the plants while the site was prepared.
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Business in Twydall Medway Council and Business Link Kent commissioned a survey to establish local business skills needs in Twydall in response to the Twydall NAP. The survey identified 737 companies, of which 372 have three or more employees. Over 130 businesses completed a questionnaire reviewing: - skills and training requirements;
- the proportion of local employees currently employed;
- the benefits of employing local staff;
- recruiting staff with the right skills;
- opportunities for work placements.
The critical analysis provided by Business Link Kent is vital in supporting applications for funding.
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