Sunday, 18 November 2012

MEET, GREET, INVITE, UNITE


BurtonJoyceBlogger

Genealogy/Timeline website  - www,brianalvey.co.uk




                                                  TWO minutes prior to sunset in S Notts 16/11/2012


 Are the days of NHW as we have known it  - OVER?


The advent of the digital revolution several years ago have had life changing consequences for us as a nation an individuals

I will go out on a limb and suggest that the many NHW Co-ordinators and schemes members thro-out the UK are also experiencing the results of the changes

Consider their role in improving the welfare/safety of their immediate neighbours and community. In the past, adopting the initiative of EYES  EARS & GRAPEVINE was probably the most viable, important and significant aspect of their local crime prevention/solving role.

 In todays environment, I would suggest that a greater emphasis by the NHW Schemes &; membership, will very probably be the "social" well being of their community and individual.

 Why do I say this ?

The advent of instant digital communication, several years ago, was instrumental in the creation and introduction of the "local" (Nottingham)  NEIGHBOURHOOD ALERT initiative.

 In its basic form, this initiative was introduced to the Police & NHW, as a proposal and ground breaking pro-active scheme for assisting crime prevention/solving.

 This scheme proposed/designed/suggested by a local NHW Co-ordinator "Mike Douglas" was the introduction of digital technology for assisting the well being of the individual and community by notifying them promptly and directly with matters of concern,  assessed and considered as relevant by the local Police and there relevant Administrations

"Mike Douglas" the Co-ordinator was particularly perturbed with the fact that issues of immediate concern and the "well being" of members and the community  were NOT ( at that time ) being relayed promptly to the individual and communities, which were probably likely to be affected or could indirectly assist/ be involved in improving/resolving a situation.

In OCTOBER 2012 it was announced that the "Neighbourhood Alert" scheme ( nationally) had attained a membership of 144.000 with 1,500,000 messages sent out, direct in that month alone.

 The important figure is 144,000

" Neighbourhood Alerts" were out sent out direct to over 144,000 individuals in the UK during October  of this year and numbered in excess of 1,500,000. 

 YES thats 1.5 million "Alerts" despatched via and as a result of social media

However I now understand that it is suggested there is approx just under 5 Million NHW members now in the UK

There is an obvious shortfall in the numbers of NHW members who have signed-up to  or receive the Neighbourhood Alerts  -

 SHAME. What does this appear to tell us - 

One of three things

1)There is a need for more NHW members to become digital minded or connected

2) There is a large potential available within the NHW who should be recruited into the NHA system

3)There is an enormous number of potential households in the UK not in the NHW who could be recruited to the NHA /  NHW scheme


HOWEVER to achieve this requires  - Community & Establishment  PRO -ACTIVITY!

Here is a suggestion a new initiative


"MEET! GREET ! INVITE ! UNITE ! "

The initiative is to mobilise the single most effective means of improving, developing, safer, greater community engagement in all areas of our county  towns villages,urban ,sub-urban  & rural areas

There is a obvious need by those with influence to actually "get out" into the communities and develop " face to face " engagement with the man /woman on the streets

There is a need to show those in positions of influence there is a   "want-to", "need-to", establish "face to face" contact and dialogue with the communities

What is the most effective/economical way of achieving this.?   Taking a leaf out of the "Politicians Electioneering handbook " and physically getting out into the county, shaking hands /spreading the message and therby "enrolling" recruits for the cause,  be it the NHA/NHW/Police/ CVS/Community Life

Will this be Costly?  -  absolutely NOT !

All it needs is the commitment by those who really care about the interests and safety of all those in our communities, within our county, to join together with combining their joint resources  - and  make it happen

Yes, it will require a little finance and personal commitment and it cannot/will not happen "over night".  However, I am sure there will be sufficient vested interest within

NOTTSWATCH,  CNNHWC, our POLICE, COUNCILS,  COMMERCE etc  to make itg happen

By investng a little  time and effort to organise a"battle bus", "road shows", "meet and greets" - and by utilising existing resources of materials, membership, volunteers etc to arrange a programme (in the better weather of spring , summer & autumn) and physically /proactively bring those individuals committed to their communities it can happen and achieve 

 A "FACE to FACE" with those in our society .

A "FACE to FACE"  on their ground, in their "patch", at a time, which provides access with little or no inconvenience to the communities and the resident  with little disruption to their normal routines
 


All it needs is the desire, a little initiative and the involvemen/ "coming together" of those ORGANISATIONS with a vested interest in seeking to develop a better society in which we all live and enjoy

MEET!  GREET!  INVITE!  UNITE!


"Its worth a try surely ?"

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