University Hosts Community Engagement Awards Evening
15 December 2011
Community volunteers with Pauline Latham MP OBE
It has a special place in my life because it takes me out of the house into fellowship with others. I do enjoy coming here and look forward to it
”Everlyn Hibbert, community group memeber
Professor Philip Plowden, Pro Vice-Chancellor
Betty Phoba & Peter Walker
An evening of awards, certificates and celebration of achievements took place on Saturday 12 November 2011 in the Kirtley Building at the University of Derby.
The evening also included an exhibition of art telling the community group's story of activities and accomplishments through testimonial statements and pictures.
Over the past year the Voice of Congolese Women has supported 182 community members across a diverse range of ethnic, faith and age groups. People have attended up to 82 craft sessions, mainly at the "Community Space" at Pear Tree Library, Normanton. Other events included a party for children, a fashion show at Ashbourne Festival and feedback workshops.
These workshops encouraged group member to express their own views, ideas and agree collective action for the future life of the project. Feedback also makes the projects more sustainable within this community and can be extended across other community groups.
People of all ages and faiths came together from across Derby, to socialise, make friends, learn new skills, improve their confidence, share food and have fun. The sessions also encouraged people to create new interests and develop new ways of thinking, and also aimed to empower the people themselves to help run the sessions.
The sessions were held in a friendly, safe and supportive atmosphere, deepening relationships between community members who have a strong desire to carry out more activities together in the future. Structures and processes were developed which support dialogue and social action, engaging and empowering people to have a voice in their own lives and the chance to make a difference.
Students from the University also took part in dance movement and arts therapy workshops, helping people both one-to-one and in groups; this has further developed community relationships that include the British Red Cross.
The sessions ran every Friday and Saturday. The Friday sessions attracted between 15 and 20 people and between 25 and 30 people on Saturdays. In total 182 people attended the sessions, 30.4% of which attended more than 10 sessions and 12.2% attended more than 20 sessions. Although originally developed as a women's group, 21% of attendance were male. Other workshops run at the community space by Upbeat Communities included ESOL classes, (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and the running of a "Welcome Box" project for new arrivals in Derby.
This community project and others is testimony this work is making a difference, by reaching out into the community, being active with the community and reducing isolation. Some members of the group have taken part in running and organising the project work. As they do this, they can take a pride in its success and gain skills and self-esteem. This includes cleaning up after the sessions, helping out with sewing tasks, supporting learners, teaching cookery, welcoming newcomers and administration tasks such as sending out letters and making invitations. This helps to gain work experience and builds life skills, enabling recognition to gain references, a step towards getting a job.
Times Higher Education Awards 2011
The University of Derby recently won an award for the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at the Times Higher Education Awards 2011.
Betty Phoba, Chair for the Voice of Congolese Women said: "We are confident that projects are reaching more ethnicities across Derby City".
For more information about this Community News story, contact Jason Nichols, on 01332 591945 or email
j.nichols@derby.ac.uk
