The Wishaw Community Engagement subgroup agreed to focus on this area for targeted engagement due to the issues arising locally in this high area of deprivation. We supported Central Wishaw Community Council to secure £2,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Community Empowerment NL) with the purpose of planning and delivering engagement focused in Tinto Crescent and Street in Greenhead area of Wishaw.
The event kicked off with a family litter-picking contest to encourage local families to participate in the clean-up and environmental improvement of their area, inspiring residents to take pride in where they live. Winners worked hard to collect 10 bags of litter and to win fantastic prizes including supermarket vouchers. The Community Council is aiming to create a regular community clean-up group from the success of this activity to empower residents to keep their community clean and tidy and contribute to a safer environment.
Cairney Cycles attended and provided bike-ability and cycling skills for children and young people incorporating BMX stunt skills training delivered by Scottish BMX School and finished the day with a cycling skills and speed competition where they kindly gave five bikes away to the winning local children, and have plans to provide a further eight bikes to young people in this community in the coming weeks. The aim of this is to enable children and young teens in the community to enjoy outdoor bike rides at the close by Perchy Pond and Greenhead Moss Nature Park. Overall, the cycling was an absolute hit with the children and young people, so much so that the Community Council is planning a further session this summer.
Youth workers from local organisation MADE4U in ML2 attended to deliver activities for children and young people who enjoyed participating in an outdoor graffiti/art workshop, where pre-teen and teens enjoyed expressing themselves and creating some impressive artwork. NHS Health Improvement Team provided support and information on a range of health and wellbeing groups and services, engaging families in helpful conversations and linking them to local services.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Services brought their fire engine and engaged with children, who got to use the fire hose, wear the uniform and sit in the truck with plenty of photo opportunities with the local fire service. This all went down a treat with the local children and families. The officers stayed to present the winners of the cycle competition with their bikes at the end of the event, as well as interacting with families and providing support in relation to community safety. Local Community Police Constables from Police Scotland came along to interact with children, educate them on road safety, and chat with local families to provide support and build relationships.
A local vendor was approached by the Community Council to support the fun day in the interests of Community Wealth Building and building local economy through a local business. This vendor provided 100+ lunches to all children from Tinto along with some treats supplied by the Community Council. Children also enjoyed receiving glitter tattoos and facepainting from artist Helen Porter who attended the full day event.
Throughout the event, our Community Partnership team engaged with residents around a short survey focused on the local area with a view to gathering their views, comments and aspirations. The data gathered from this consultation will be collated to inform future improvements and activities tailored to this community.
The successful fun day was not only enjoyed by both young and old but also contributed to the Local Outcome Improvement Plan priorities for the Wishaw Community Board including Community Engagement, Community Safety, Environment, Mental Health & Wellbeing, and Tackling Poverty & Inequality. The Community Engagement subgroup hope by working with local organisations such as the community council, in a focused area of interest for the North Lanarkshire Community Planning Partners, that they can tackle local issues through the delivery of new projects and activities.The day was enjoyed by all, and by working together, we can help ensure that local voices are heard, and that improvement and support reach the people who need it most.