Introduction
Through a network of organisations gathered together by One Voice Darlington (A unity of the christian churches in Darlington) we have become aware of a Community Engagement Charity called ROC (Redeeming our Communities). Some organisations from the network met with ROC today to learn more about their approach and explore the potential of engagig them to work in Darlington. Tees Valley Sport were invited to this along with Andrew Allison from Community Resilience Darlington Borough Council and a number of Faith representatives.
Deborah Green represented ROC . She is founder and national director of the charity.
This is only the intial chapter in a longer story.
At a follow up meet on March 14th Barry and Vicky (Baptist Ministers representing One Voice Darlington) reported that after a discussion with The Police and Crime Commissioner they had been invited to bid for money to support the ROC big conversation. TVS were also able to make a financial committment toward the programme. Darlington Fotball Club Community Foundation may support the programme and other church groups are expected to contribute small amounts. It is hoped that the Council will offer further support even if this is in kind.
The Big Conversation is pencilled in for the end of September assuming sufficient fuding is collated.
What happened?
This was a discussion to find out more about what ROC do and to consider if this could help Darlington to move forward in terms of community development and addressing inequalities. The essence of ROCs offer is that they host 'a big conversation' in an area. They are a neutral, objective agency, so can do this without the baggage of local politics or sensitivities. This garners the opinions and interests of the public and various organisiations and stakeholders. ROC then identify key priorities and work to solicit community volunteers to take forward actions to address the key issues. They offer support, encouragement and advice over a 12 month period to implement actions and create change.
Who was involved?
Deborah Green - ROC
Lou and Gemma - TVS
Barry and Vicky - Darlington Baptist Church
Mark from St Andrews Church in Houghton Le Skerne
Steph from the Anglican Town Centre Church - St Cuthberts
When?
This meet was 14th February 2024. It is with a view to (potentially) engaging ROCs services from April or May of this year.
Follow up meet on March 13th gave strong leads for funding and it is with some confidence that The Big Conversation is pencilled in for late Sept 2024.
Where?
This meeting was help online. If it comes to fruition, the geographical scope of ROCs input is yet to be decided. Their offer can be scaled to a ward, a village, a town or a wider area. It is most likley that a town wide approach would be implemented in Darlington.
How?
This meeting was to share ideas and to ask questions of ROC.
How do they action the big conversation? What are the costs? What is their expected legacy? Where else have they worked? How would existing and emerging policies and strategies help shape their work?
Why?
To Make the 'Big Conversation' and resultant action happen, the partners need to identify funding of £10,000. This event was to help us assess the value of ROCs intervention and to discuss where a jigsaw of contributary funding could be identified. It was a chance for us to try to assess potential value for money in terms of engaging ROC.
So?
It matters because it could have significant impact and initiate change. It matters aas the partners need to be assured of the value of any investment made.
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