Residents and community groups can complete a short online form outlining the initiative they want to set up or the problem they want to solve, and Council staff will offer tailored solutions. The guidance will include information about different grants that a particular project might be eligible for, the most appropriate toolkits to use, and introductions to community contacts who have seen success in similar projects locally.
If you are thinking about setting up a new group, encouraging others to take an interest in issues that matter to you, or addressing a local concern but aren’t sure where to start, you can complete the short form at www.scambs.gov.uk/community-action.
Cllr Bill Handley, Lead Cabinet Member for Community Resilience, Health and Wellbeing for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “If you want to make a positive impact or tackle a problem in your community by setting up a new community group but you are not sure where to start, Council colleagues are ready to give help and advice. You might like to know more about how to improve road safety, how to make the local environment greener, how to reduce social isolation, or how to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour. There are a number of Council grant schemes, and the team will point you towards those that could help your project to get off the ground.
“Our toolkits cover all of these topics and give advice on how to encourage your neighbours to join you and help you to find out what your community thinks about these issues. For those communities that would like to plan for the longer-term, Council colleagues can also talk to you about creating a Community Led Plan.
“People living within a community know it best and are best placed to tackle areas of concern and put plans in place for the community’s future, so whether you are starting a small project, or a parish-wide approach, we can help. Just fill in our short form and one of our team will be in touch.”
Some of the tools available were funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), through the South Cambs Community Safety Partnership. The Community Safety Partnership is a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridgeshire County councils; the Police, Fire and Rescue Services; the Probation Service; and the NHS.