Cripplegate Ward Meetings and Community Events

The Pitch

Problem statement

Cripplegate is a large mainly residential ward covering the Barbican and Golden Lane Estates and 2 private towers. Many residents are unaware of sources of help and advice, both formal and informal, which could improve the quality of their lives. Local councillors are very active but is difficult to disseminate information, and many residents are unaware of what the City of London has to offer. The areas are very siloed and we would like to engender a more socially cohesive ward. There is little business activity so we are unable to find sponsorship for meetings and events (venue hire and publicity) and must self-fund which is outside the ability of some, limiting the number we can hold

Solution

Our solution is to hold regular meetings with guest speakers and occasional social events. By bringing together official speakers from the council or commissioned bodies with service users and more informal support groups, we can really assist our neighbours access and navigate help for their issues. We can also combine speakers on high level strategy with more practical help and advice that no one else is providing. There is time for informal discussions over refreshments to allow residents to get to know each other, find out what is going on and understand each other’s’ issues and hopes for the future of Cripplegate. Finding common ground and forging links benefits the whole community.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

The Cripplegate representatives all live in the ward and have a diverse range of interests and networks, which we can bring together to provide a variety of Meetings which will interest different sections of our community. We have access to City of London Officers and associated organisations, so can use this network to convene both interesting and useful events. We are primarily independent councillors, and work together as a team in a non-political or partisan way to improve the lives of our neighbours. We work closely with our colleagues in Aldersgate Ward, primarily the other half of the Barbican estate, and their residents are welcome at all our meetings

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

650 people

Expected impact

By growing the numbers of residents aware of, and attending our meetings we expect that we can inform and assist more people to learn what services are available, how to access them and be informed about what the City of London Corporation is doing. We hope to create greater community cohesion across the ward with the social aspects of our meetings and events, and to improve links with the City and city institutions. We also would like to attract more residents to think about standing for election in the future

Track record

As individuals ward councillors have organised a number of events. As a group we have organised two successful ward meetings this year. These were self-funded. The first in February Included officers of the City of London Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy Group and representatives of the Green Doctors. We had to fund posters, the hire of St Giles Church including the cost of heating and refreshments. The second meeting in May ‘Help if you need Care or are a Carer’, held in the Golden Lane Community Centre. The venue was free but we funded posters and refreshments. We have a further event organised on September 14th, with Culture Mile BID CEO Austin Casey and a Neighbourhood Forum director, again self-funded, thanks to the Jewin Welsh church for allowing free hire of their hall so our only cost is flyers and refreshments. October plan for Destination City at St Giles