Communities Building Capacity Projects Evaluation

The strengths of the projects managed by the DC10 network through the Communities Building Capacity programme.

Digital Ages

(Led by Norfolk County Council)

Description: Digital Ages aimed to improve the IT skills of the residents of Sheltered Housing complexes in Great Yarmouth, and to encourage intergenerational communication by using young people as volunteer trainers. It was planned to improve sustainability by establishing IT clubs at each complex, and identifying IT Champions, or mentors from the target community who could provide ongoing support to the clubs and provide mentoring services for others in the target community both within the borough and beyond.

Strengths:

• Project design responded to a need identified by a target community and carried out additional research to confirm interest.
• Practical way to encourage participation and communication through the use of technology.
• A recognised evaluation process and remediation loop was introduced at an early stage of the project.
• Continuous improvement process adopted.
• The project has been supported by multiple agencies.

ICT Training for Staff and Volunteers running Pre-school services for Children

(Led by Shropshire County Council)

Description: The project supported IT workshops for pre-school staff, leaders and volunteers. Three evening sessions were held covering; basic computer use, programs aimed at under 5's, online games, equipment and accessibility features. One session focused on digital photography and how it can be used to evidence learning. The final session was open and included Excel, Word or PowerPoint. A number of pre-school settings have shown an interest in understanding how IT could support their business.

Strengths:

• Strong partnership with County Council Early Years Education & Childcare Team.
• Clear linkages to mainstream provision in Education including Extended Schools priorities.
• Good partner working.
• Strong linkages with the community.

Intergenerational Learning Videos Tutorial

(Led by Connecting Bristol)

Description: This project was set up to test the effectiveness of using digital technology as a tool to encourage greater social engagement and interaction between young (under 21) and old (55+) from an established community in Knowle West. Knowle West is an area of Bristol which sits within the 10% of most deprived communities from the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), and is known for its high crime rate and lack of social cohesion.

Strengths:

• This is an innovative project which demonstrates the informal approach to delivering change.
• The project used existing linkages with the community.
• Innovative way to encourage participation and communication through the use of technology.
• Evidence of initiating communication and collaboration between the generations.

Online Consultation Forums

(Led by Ealing Council for Voluntary Services)

Description: The project aimed to set up online consultation forums to provide an alternative and innovative platform through which local strategic partners can consult with hard to reach groups on service provision and delivery. The proposal followed contact with mainstream providers who were seeking innovative ways to broaden their consultation base and in particular to increase engagement with disabled people and with Muslim women in the borough.

Strengths:

• Strong linkages with community-based organisations.
• Good engagement with mainstream service providers - responding to their need.
• Established whole project life monitoring and an end of project evaluation.
• Established good relationship with the LSP resulting in direct investment in the project.