annual report2005
ECHO STOW HILL COMMUNITY GROUP
Annual Report 2005
the following is a short version of the full Annual report delivered to
the AGMon 14th April 2005. Download
a full copy of the report (32Kb)
Secretary’s Report
Introduction
There have been many developments in the group since the last AGM. Challenges
to our capacity as a management committee abound but we are resilient
and positive about the future. With the high standard of our newsletter
really starting to make an impact for the community we are drawing some
very favourable comments. We hope you feel the same and that you pass
on letters, comments and stories to keep us on our toes. It’s your community
newsletter and therefore your voice. Let us hear it.
Activities
Training
The Management Committee has been receiving training in management skills.
With our growing experience and confidence we need to look forward as
a group; the next obvious step should take us towards becoming a charity.
We will, however, need to have the agreement of members about this step.
Any community member who wishes to take advantage of the free training
relating to community involvement is welcome to do so. We have been receiving
amongst other things, training on Health and Safety, committee skills
and very importantly, training to help us develop a vision and procedures
for ECHO. In addition, members have attended the Conference for Communities
First and a Conference on Charity Law.
New staff member
You probably know by now that we have had a change of Development Officer
since November. Bridgid Corr who saw us through the move into 44 Bailey
Street left us in order to work in Cardiff. It was very hard to lose such
a good worker but we are delighted to have Helen Cooper in her place.
Hurrah for Helen!
A local girl, Helen has lived and worked in Newport for some time and
has been more than able to step in and push us forwards. She loves her
work, has a special interest in youth and is putting in an application
to employ a full time youth worker for Stow Hill; something we consider
well overdue considering the meager amenities currently available for
our young people. This of course will not happen overnight as bureaucracy
takes time, so please be patient. If successful, it will build on the
continued presence of the youth club in Baneswell Community Centre as
well as the youth activities provided by the city council during the summer
which we hope this will continue this year.
Projects
We are delighted that the Mouse Park Project is now really underway just
as we prepare for this meeting. With the help of Newport City Council
a really grim little play area is being transformed for our youngest children.
We are pleased and proud to see our youth getting involved in this project
as they have with the Newport Transport Video Project.
Funding bids from Communities Trust Fund covered several improvements to the ECHO base. The ground floor has been transformed by knocking down partitions, laying new carpeting and by having really good signage on the exterior. It helps us to feel much more professional. The community at a very competitive rate can use the very up to date photocopier. The room upstairs along with a small kitchen is also available for meetings.
The highly popular free trips for older members of the community to the Big Cheese in Caerphilly, Cardiff Bay, St Fagans, Weston Super-Mare, Bath, Brecon and Swansea, funded by a Community First Trust Fund, have lead to the setting up of the ECHO Friendship Club which has held events such as theatre trips, Tai Chi and consultation on the Mouse Park. The Club currently meets in the Salvation Army Community Centre every other Friday morning.
During the summer, ECHO in Bloom was a success and we are hoping for an even more blazing display this year. If members wish to get involved by helping neighbours or helping to plan this year’s and next year’s event we would be very pleased.
The numbers of people of all ages who attended the Christmas Bash amazed us. It was really fun for all. The Christmas Window Competition too was excellent and local businesses were very generous with prizes. Visits
Some members were able to visit the Phoenix centre in Town Hill Swansea to see a centre that provides an amazing variety of facilities for the community. This was to help us think about the possibility of a smaller scale centre for Stow Hill.
Partnership Involvement
ECHO Management Committee has been consulted by Newport Community Safety
Partnership for their Crime and Disorder Audit 2005 as well as for the
Newport Community Transport Strategy.
We receive copies of planning applications for Stow Hill for our views and comments. We take the attitude that it is better to influence decisions before they are made rather than complain afterwards although that doesn’t stop us making a noise when something seems bad for the community. If you feel the same come and join in.
The general feeling is that we are getting the confidence of the community especially in the Baneswell area and would like to continue to build on this while meeting the needs of people in the rest of the Stow Hill Ward.
Finally a big thank to all who have helped make 2004 – 2005 a successful year for ECHO. It has meant a great deal of hard work but also very rewarding.
Pat Wright
Secretary
April 2005
