Communities

Groundwork Solent is committed to supporting neighbourhoods viewed as disadvantaged. We work closely with other organizations and community groups to improve the local environment and ensure that people are involved in decisions that affect them.

We help people improve the appearance of their streets, parks and housing estates and encourage greater cohesion within neighbourhoods by helping residents of different ages, cultures and backgrounds to get to know one another and take responsibility for their surroundings. When communities get involved in making their neighbourhood a better place to live, improvements are more likely to last

Examples of our work include

Daedalus Community Consultation
Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail
Holyrood ball court
St Mary's Ball Court

Daedalus Community Consultation

Photo : Local resident discussing concepts with Groundwork staff The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has acquired an 82.4 hectare area of land at the former HMS Daedalus airfield in Gosport, Hampshire, with the vision of creating a vibrant, mixed-use community development that will provide huge benefits to existing residents and businesses. The Daedalus site is at a strategic location on the Gosport peninsula and is one of the largest brownfield sites available for regeneration in the Solent area, providing a significant opportunity to promote economic prosperity, encourage investment and create job opportunities.

SEEDA has appointed a team of specialist advisors to assist in the preparation and delivery of a masterplan for the site. Groundwork Solent was appointed in January 2007 to facilitate a high quality, carefully planned programme of consultation, engaging with residents, community groups, schools and businesses.

Groundwork Solent is leading the consortium of organisations delivering the community consultation, which includes Groundwork UK South East region (for GIS mapping) and Civic Regeneration Ltd (for business consultation).

Photo : Local resident discussing concepts with Project Team member This first phase of the community consultation aimed to gather local feelings and perceptions towards the development of the site on a broad range of topics. A variety of tools were used to gather this information including a freepost questionnaire, on line questionnaire, street surveys, as well as consulting with local community groups, businesses and working with schools to gather the views of young people. The information collated has been used to inform further study and investigation in a series of community and strategic workshops held as part of Phase 2 of the consultation. Approximately 500 local residents also attended a Drop in Event in July 2007 where they were able to discuss their concerns and aspirations for the development of the site. From the first two phases of consultation, the master planners, Terrance O’Rourke, have prepared some initial design options. As part of phase 3, these designs were presented to the public in a special two day exhibition in Lee-on-Solent with over 800 people in attendance. Groundwork Solent is now using the views and opinions expressed at the exhibition to help the masterplanners complete a final design for the site.

For more information on the project, please visit the the Daedalus website

Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail

Photo : Young people involved in on site consultation The Itchen Navigation, which was established in the 17th Century as an important trading link between Winchester and the sea, ceased to be in use in 1869. Since that time it has fallen into disrepair, and both the physical structures and the wildlife habitats are in need of sympathetic conservation works to restore them to a favourable condition. In light of this, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Itchen Navigation project aims to improve this renowned chalk river system and celebrate its wildlife, history and value to local people.

Groundwork Solent was appointed to undertake consultation for this project targeted specifically at young people aged 13 – 25 years old, paying particular attention to Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups across Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester to determine the types of new activities they would like to see and how they would like to get involved in the restoration of the Itchen Navigation. By targeting and involving under-represented groups in this way, the restoration will truly reflect the needs and aspirations of all those affected by the project.

Photo : Groundwork staff consulting with young people In total, Groundwork contacted 73 youth organisations, BME organisations, colleges and universities during the 3 month project. Young people were also consulted through existing youth groups, youth forums, further education and sixth form colleges, universities, and public events.

As a result of the evidence gathered and the different groups consulted, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust were successful in securing a further grant of £1.6 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to continue the project.

Holyrood MUGA

Groundwork Solent working with Southampton City Council have been awarded £30,000 to make improvments to the ball court in Holyrood.

After consultation with residents and the lcoal community the money will be used tio improve the surfacing and lines of the ballcourt.

The project is due for completion early 2010.

St Mary's Ballcourt

Groundwork Solent has been working with Southampton City Council and St mary's resident and tennants association to move their ballcourt from in the middle of housing to the school grounds of St Mary's Primary School.

Consultation has been carried out with residents, and the majority were in favour of the proposed plans.

Groundwork Solent is sourcing funding to complete this project.