Wear Valley Community Network

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General > Wear Valley Community Network

The Wear Valley Community Network has been going for six years now and is based at 2D, Voluntary & Community Support organisation in Crook. It has grown as a forum for local community organisations and partnerships, working to achieve its aims to provide the general community with a real voice to influence public service delivery.

The Wear Valley Community Network exists to increase community and voluntary sector influence, especially in the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).

The LSP’s role is to bring together all the sectors- the public, private, voluntary and community, so that different services support each other and ensure they meet the wishes of local people.

The Community Network’s role in brief is to:

Consult: getting the views of community groups, partnerships, etc.
Coordinate: Network members exchange ideas, learn from each other and agree on common action;
Represent: putting forward agreed community views to the LSP and other partnership/thematic bodies, and major service providers;
Support: assisting community groups and partnerships with advice, useful contacts, small grants and a little staff support at times;
Campaign: taking up issues of community concern, like the environment, health and hospital issues, transport for groups and rural areas, etc

A Fond Retirement Farewell to Wear Valley Community Network Co-ordinator…

Victor has worked at 2D for over 2 years now and has helped the network grow into a vital community voice in Wear Valley, achieving its aims to provide the general public with an opportunity to influence the delivery of public services.

The fact that the network has progressed well is due, in no small part, to Victor’s efforts and enthusiasm. He will be greatly missed but can retire in the knowledge that the job he took on has been carried out with distinction.

We wish Victor all the best in his retirement.

Wear Valley Community Network Website- LIVE!!

www.wearvalleyvoice.org

Have a browse and tell us what you think. Some of the pages are still awaiting content, however if you would like to add

anything to the site e-mail Kirsty at 2D- k.hill@2d.org.uk. Keep checking for further developments…

The "New Europeans": Polish communities in the NE

Patrycja Firmanty & Sue Shaw have taken a ‘soft look’ to see where ‘New European’ migrants are living, where they work and to see if they are experiencing any particular problems that Wear Valley and other local government agencies should be aware of.

In the North East the main features of the situation are:

• No clear and simple picture to paint as the situation is fluid and differs from area to area.

• There tend to be clusters around particular industries or small workplaces.

• Data collection lags behind the current situation and the migrant workforce.

Central, regional and local government bodies – especially Local Strategic Partnerships – are recommended to review local evidence and consider the case for adjustments to policies, programmes, information and guidance.

The picture so far - Most Polish incomers are economic migrants, often highly skilled, entrepreneurial and educated. Most are well informed and able to access advice via websites. There is not a benefit culture in Poland and the migrants therefore expect to work hard. Some stay for a year to earn money to pay for student studies. Others stay for two or three years, saving money and then return. Some become established and stay permanently.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) estimate that 23% now stay permanently, even though they may move within the region for accommodation or jobs. There is also some movement from London, to the Midlands and then to the North where accommodation is cheaper. So there is no simple picture.

The NE has the fewest migrants, although the TUC estimate that there are about 10 000 Polish & New European workers in the NE at present. The workers’ registration statistics show 4 500; but these do not show those who are self employed for instance. Ages range from early 20’s to 60. In County Durham, there are concentrations of Polish migrants in Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Consett, Sunderland and to a lesser extent in Bishop Auckland.

Suggested ways forward include accessible information about how and where to get information, such as how to obtain a driving licence, passport, how to register with a doctor and dentist, how to set up a bank account or mortgage etc. This information could be in the form of a free Newsletter/Update, a website, specific event or part of a community event, a welcome pack, helpline and language line. Information is a key issue, which could perhaps be tackled in any of these ways. If you are interested in the final report on Polish & other New Europeans, contact the Community Network.

Contact:

Alison Hirst- Community Network Administrator a.hirst@2d.org.uk

Kirsty Hill- Marketing Development Officer k.hill@2d.org.uk