Neighbourhood Outreach

The Heart of Burton Partnership Neighbourhood Outreach Team will be familiar to many residents already. And if they’re not, they will be soon! The team has been out and about in the area lots in the past few months, helping local people set up and develop exciting projects which are breathing new life into local neighbourhoods.

Recently the team has been working on various projects with young people and there are plenty more plans in the pipeline which will bring different sections of the community together.

Silk Roots

Communities from across the hear of burton have been working together to create a series of original painted silk wall hangings.

Different community groups working together with a professional artist, created the hanging that will be a part of a touring exhibition.

The project 'Silk Roots' has been co-ordinated and funded by the partnership and through Arts East Staffs.

The groups included mums from Christchurch Infants School, the Harvey Girls, Luncheon Clubs from Age Concern, Mary Seacole Daycare and groups from MIND, A4 and Margaret StanhopeHospital.

Taking inspiration from Burton landmarks and landscapes all the groups involved have projected their own personal view of Burton upon Trent and have created beautiful and inspirational wall hangings.

Kingfisher Project

IN MARCH 2006 the Kingfisher Management Group was formed after it was identified by local residents that all the Kingfishers had disappeared due to an untidy environment.

It has been developed and funded by the Heart of Burton Partnerhip through participatory appraisal training.

Since its formation, the management group has organised 3 litter picks, a fun day, a 3 mile sponsored walk and commissioned and funded a wildlife survey undertaken by the Staffordshire wildlife trust, which involved going to local primary schools and teaching them how to do a wildlife survey.

Through co-operation with Trent and Dove Housing, the embankment at the rear of the flats in Masefield Crescent has been cleared and new fencing erected. The Kingfisher Project has received the full report from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and is now actively seeking professional advice on the way forward for the Horninglow Channel.

A meeting of all the stakeholders is being planned for April to discuss the project and the way forward. The Kingfisher Project also received a special commendation in the community category of the Staffordshire Green Awards 2006.

Click here to view the case study. All your comments are welcome by 27th June 2007.

United Womens Day

IN 2003, through the outreach work and support provided, the Women’s International Group was developed.

The group is made up of women from diverse backgrounds and, with the support of the Heart of Burton, have organised a couple of events aimed at bringing women together to celebrate diversity, raise awareness of issues and to learn about the services and support available to them.

The group have attended Heart of Burton funded training at Trafford Hall and CASES. These courses taught the women how to organise their own events and most importantly build their self-confidence. Since the group has been developed, some of the members are now either enrolled at Burton College or employed.

One of the women to successfully get back into employment was Yasmeen Kausar, she said, “I had been unemployed for 5 years and was eager to get back to work but I didn’t know how to go about it.

Being part of the group has enabled me to gain new skills and confidence and taught me anything is possible if you put your mind to it. With the support and guidance I received, I am now successfully employed as a coordinator with Age concern.”

The Heart of Burton Partnership is a recognised initiative with local partners and acts as a referee to volunteers enabling them to gain employment. If you would like to get involved in future events contact 0800 328 6925

Compassion in our community

A PROJECT to help homeless people has demonstrated the compassion of our community for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Over the years church leaders in Burton became aware of a number of rough sleepers and sofa-surfers in the area. The members of the New Baptist Church agreed to open the church hall to rough sleepers during the coldest winter weather. Members and leaders of other churches were very supportive and volunteered to help run the project, other volunteers came forward from other faith groups and some with no faith background. The original idea was to open the building only on evenings when the temperature fell below freezing but the overwhelming response from volunteers meant that it was possible to open thoughout the winter.

The doors open around 10pm and guests come in and are given, tea, coffee and something to eat. After eating, guests find a space in the church hall and stretch out sleeping bags on the floor to sleep.

At around 7am there is a wake up call when another team of volunteers provide breakfast and the building is cleaned ready for its daytime use.

Overall more than 60 people have volunteered to help run the project this winter, others have donated food and money, still others have given clothes or bedding.

This kind of response to the needs of others shows that community spirit and compassion are alive and well in 21st century Burton.

Making a difference to education

The Heart of Burton is committed to help improve education in the neighbourhood.

How? The Partnership has funded a range of education projects in partnership with Burton Advantage Schools.