November 2019 Updates
Friends Groups and POSN
GEMS has enabled us to develop a more formal approach to working with our Friends Groups through the Plymouth Open Spaces Network (POSN). Now represented on our project steering group, we are supporting capacity building of the network and creating a programme of training and development. This support will include some dedicated officer time to develop the network, their communications and effectiveness as a group to support all local open space groups.
After conducting some focus groups with the key stakeholders at our pilot sites back in Sept 2019 (including Friends Groups, leaseholders and other user groups), we have set up a Stakeholder Forum for each pilot site, Central Park, Plymouth Hoe and Devonport Park, which will meet regularly to share issues and inform the management plans.
Enrich with Real Ideas Organisation (RIO)
Working with RIO, we have developed the ‘Enrich’ programme focusing on how we can bring greater ‘social enterprise’ thinking and activity to our parks and green spaces. Applications for this part of the project went out in August, encouraging people from a broad range of sectors to apply toi participate in the project and look to develop some social enterprise ideas across Plymouth parks and greenspaces
48 people from a wide range of backgrounds, including community growers, events, funding, technology, friends groups, theatre groups, charity sector and much more. It is a diverse range of people spread across 2 cohorts. These 2 cohorts will take part in a number of sessions over the course of the project including training and support around enterprise development; access to networks and new relationships; inspirational site visits and expert speaker sessions.
So far the cohorts have had 2 sessions around initial ideas, explorations and strategy with talks from Councillor Sue Dann (portfolio holder for the Environment at Plymouth City Council), Lindsey Hall – CEO Real Ideas and Gareth Hart - Chair of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network.
Both groups also had a site visit to 2 of Cornwall's successful enterprises - Par Track and Newquay Community Orchard to get an insight in to developing social enterprise in a local greenspace, the chellenges and successes and involvement with the local community.
Support from students
Over 100 Plymouth University Architecture and Smart Urban Futures students are actively engaged in the project gathering data and finding new ways to map and understand users of the park and the activities that take place. Next steps are to co-design student projects and develop specific briefs for students to work on in 2020.