Big Local
Good Practice in Action…
Walkie Talkies™
GROUNDWORK KENT & MEDWAY
Walkie Talkies™
“Walkie Talkies™
Began in 2005 in
Swanscombe Kent.
A simple idea that works!
Local people walking and
talking to residents about
things that matter to them.
Why we think it works
• It’s truly local
• People trust their Walkie Talkies™
• It is independent and seen to be independent
• It has good mechanisms to let
information flow in both directions
• Sustainable
• Provides good value for money
• Inclusive
Who is a Walkie
Talkie™
Local people
Local
networks
Swanscombe and
Greenhithe
From this….
To this….
How to do it…
• Community development work
• Local networks
• Local people
• Local partnerships
• Training
• Links to other Walkie Talkies™ to
share best practice and learning
What makes it work
• The Quality of the project is only as good as our Contacts and the People we employ
• Walkie Talkies are recruited directly from the local community
• Have good local knowledge and social networks
• Are passionate about making a positive difference in their town
At Windmill Community
Allotments
How we connect
• Word of mouth
• Via social hubs used by ordinary people
• In school playgrounds, cafes, allotments, hairdressers, community centres, sheltered housing, coffee mornings, shopping centres, major local events, on the streets… anywhere people go
• Providing accurate, useful and impartial information
The Tivoli Centre
The group were delighted to be asked their opinions
about their town
Working closely with the
Seafront Design Team
What a Walkie Talkie™
does..
• Training to empower individuals to act
as community advocates / get factual
information from briefing sessions
• Working day – the team go where and
when they are needed (regular routes)
• Feedback – via local steering groups /
community forums
• Uniform – wear a distinctive uniform
with logo, easily identified, builds trust
Walkie Talkies and
Big Local
• Walkie Talkies were already
working on Tree Estate when Big
Local was announced.
• Relationship with local people
and agencies already
established.
• Trust was already there
What we have been
doing..
• Garden Party for Older Residents
• Community Fun Days
• Allotment Open days
• Coffee mornings at the Community Centre
• Regular visits to local groups, schools, children's centre, shops
• Face to face conversations
• Attended summer fetes at local school and park.
Cont…
• Working with our Youth Officer to engage the Young People.
• Looking at recruiting Young people to be Walkie Talkies.
• Regular meetings with Princes Community Forum.
• Door to door consultations on Big Local
• Always ready to listen
What we found…
From 270 direct responses through face to face consultation and questionnaires
Priorities identified by the community:
• Youth; community activities; activities to engage young children and teenagers.
• Community Safety; more police on the beat; cctv; tackle ASB; speeding cars/motorcycles; youths loitering.
• Health and Wellbeing; exercise classes; job advice; life skills training
• Environment; More planting to brighten area; better maintenance of alleyways/green areas; tidy up gardens /properties; better / more frequent bus service
• Community “Hubs”; renovate Tree CC and develop a community centre for Phoenix
CONTACT DETAILS
Groundwork Kent & Medway
48 Canterbury Street
Gillingham ME7 5UN
01634 855166
www.groundwork-km.org.uk
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