NHW BJ Community Communication Centre - An Aspirational view
NHW BJ Communication/Media Hub
The Vision is for Public Libraries to associate with the local Neighbourhood Watch schemes to serve our new digital community, by encompassing DIGITAL learning, media, news, social, communication, education, with all encompassing leisure/social activities for ALL age groups incl interactive large TV screens , rolling news, Wi Fi , travel and news documentaries discussions group and interests .
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It is acknowledged that 42% of the UK “Over 50’s” have never used a computer
Nottinghamshire County has a population (estimate) of 780,000 (433,000 homes )
100,000 are 50<60yr olds (12% of the county’s population)
95,000 are 60<70yr olds (11% of the county’s population)
+ 98.000 are 70+ yr old (11% of the county’s population)
A potential of 293,000 “Over 50’s” - ( in the county - excl Nottingham City)
Of these 293,000 at least 123,000 will NOT be familiar with a computer, the internet or e mailing and yet more importantly many will also experience regular isolation with only limited everyday contact, with others in their community.
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The NHW organisation is the largest community-based, voluntary charity in the UK. It has more than 10 million members countrywide. – it is acknowledged that the majority of NHW volunteers are "Over 50" The involvement of the libraries with the UK largest volunteer charity NHW should enhance and assist in bringing together the ever widening age groupings involvement and establishment. However, Libraries need to become Digitally sustained centres for Social, Learning, Contact, Communication, News Centres available to ALL AGES grouping together for the benefit, tuition, personal development - with the establishment of limited “outside normal working hours” access
IN June 2010 together with my wife Sandra, we re-established the defunct village BJ NHW scheme . This was achieved with the agreement and assistance of the then Notts Police NHW liaison officer Bob Vaughan .
During a period of 6 days when we recruited 13 volunteer Street co-ordinators . Within a further 7 days we organised and staged a village NHW open day ( attended by the Police , Crime Stoppers, local businesses ) which was a resounding success – overwhelming attended , and at which we successfully recruited a further 25 co-ordinators .
Following these initial achievements we found we were then “on our own” and left to our own devices – Yes ! There was unlimited publicity material available thro the National NHW, but little else. However we must add, we did seek and received welcome advise from both Bingham and Radcliffe NHW scheme co-ordinators with invites and visits to their monthly meetings.
The isolation of the Notts County’s rural NHW schemes still exists although the newly created NottsWatch organisation now may well be able to rectify this. However in our mind, effective widespread communication remains the single individual topic and action which can assist and improve the effectiveness of the actions and work of the NHW Volunteers
Those of us who choose to live in Rural and Urban communities within the our county and as a direct result of the national economic environment are now facing ever further increasing difficulties with public service cutbacks. As communities and individuals we need to and should adopt (the NHW ethos ) and introduce proactive style initiatives and work to develop answers to ease the local area situation for ourselves and NHW members and those who rely on us
As Joint Co-ordinator ( together with my wife Sandra ) of BJ Community Neighbourhood Watch We envisage establishing a permanent, open to all, NHW Online interest group for socialising , personal/ group digital improvement, learning and trouble-shooting PLUS the introducing the development of computer training and social communication within and thro-out all adjacent local communities ( BJ &B, Shelford , Gedling Village, Lambley, Oxton, Lowdham, Gonalston, Hoveringham, Caythorpe and Gunthorpe etc )
A development of this nature can have significant benefits for the collective NHW/Police activities (crime reduction/detection) with an expansion and integration of an “Ears, Eyes and Grapevine” initiative. As Burton Joyce still has a functioning Notts CC Library is centrally and conveniently geographically located for all the 10 villages we suggest the village acts as the Communication Hub
Such NHW inspired development can also have a significant positive impact on all local activities by bringing communities closer together and circulating all types of information such as planned activities and social interests , general announcements, specific announcements, best local offers, specialised services and products, help lines, social agencies, specific and personal individual assistance, interests etc., etc.
A coming together of communities via online, digital links, forums etc. has many personal and community benefits
The cost of creating such a network around the existing BJ Library is mainly in time and community endeavour, however endorsement from Notts CC, Borough/District councils, local Parish Councils, Police, etc with possible/ occasional donations and sponsorship from local sources ie Virgin, BT, Talk Talk and local businesses etc can enhance “the Hub” facilities at BJ with equipment, consumables etc., ( printing, laptops, dongles etc) over a period of time
For example BJ Parish Council has promised Wi Fi facilities ( promised in BJPC notes/minutes)to the BJ library
A renewed BJ NHW “Drop-in” can readily develop into a BJ Communication Hub with volunteers completing training, manning computers and assisting ongoing direct communication with other remote NHW in the local villages ( learners who may have or are involved with the ABC Initiative) and of course others county, nationally and worldwide ( time on the internet and Skype is free )
Establishing a community ONLINE help line at BJ Library with access to ALL local emergency services, Help lines and Social services, NHW POLICE and Charities ( Age Concern etc )will help everyone
Creating a group which enables self expression, contributes articles and opinions on local services and activities for regular postings within the community website burtonjoyceonline.co.uk contributions can stored and transferred to an editor (via individual re-usable “memory sticks”) can instil fresh confidence and interest
Once Wi Fi is available it can deliver additional sessions which enable residents to connect with remote friends and relatives AND use their own laptops onsite
A significant aim of the project is to create day-time involvement for those within our community who may be looking for day time social contact and interest, in order to combat an increasing solitary existence due to age and circumstances
It is worth adding a comment at this point on websites and social media
Website are expensive in their design, ongoing running cost, webmasters time, maintaining and updated with relevant news, comments and interests with sufficient stimulus to create and maintain good levels of regular return visitors ( 70%) bi-weekly/monthly
The most effective and popular websites are consumer based comparison and those offering excellent choice of retail offerings and online purchasing.
Websites dedicate to local affairs, societies and groups are no longer providing the high level online interest expected by the present day Onliners.
The News Sites of BBC, Sky CNN dominate the news market with SOCIAL MEDIA sites eg TWITTER, FACEBOOK etc and the like greedily gathering the masses particularly the regular ONLINERS. The 140 characters and instant online posting of TWITTER and FACEBOOK their facility to add images and links has transformed online news distribution
The recent and current Tunisia/Egypt/Libya/Syria,“Arab Spring News” illustrates completely the instant capability of social media for collecting/ illustrating and circulating news and information.
Even regional/local/news posting coming out of small newsrooms and specialist outlets, influence and effect change in urban/ rural community attitudes and actions. Social media is ideal for Alerts and instant local messaging, information and communicating general or specifically orientated information for individuals and small local organisations .
Yes! Social media is definitely the way forward for local Online simple one-off local messaging, maintaining contact, seeking help etc. The NHW should make greater use of it
Finally a meaningful/genuine relationship between the NHW and members/the community/ the Police/local Councils & Councillors/MP/NottsCC Library service/Social Services and Aid Agencies requires does greater endeavour all round
Collectively we owe it to our communities to do something positive, with haste to change the Status Quo.
It requires only a POSITIVE change in attitude
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