Last month a group of passionate young people from Moorclose and surrounding areas gave up their spare time to take part in Stronger Together, a research project where local residents learn more about their community and take action to strengthen their neighbourhood.
Led by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Stronger Together is in collaboration with the Allerdale Community Safety Partnership, which includes Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Workington Town Council Cumbria Constabulary and other key community partners.
The young people took part in research skills training, provided by UCLan, before heading out into the community. In pairs, the young people conducted doorstep surveys asking residents for their views about their community, their social networks, and their health and wellbeing. The young people braved the cold to survey the community, which they all said they enjoyed:
‘I was scared at first but I gradually got more confidence’ (Lacie Rayson)
‘There’s some nice people in the community’ (Aleesha Graham)
‘People wants the same things for their community’ (Katherine Caine)
‘Some people want to help the community’ (Millie Denver)
‘It was scary at first but I got used to it’ (Katherine Caine)
The data collection session was supported by the South Workington Youth Partnership (SWYP) team, who also helped with recruitment.
Angela Good, manager at SWYP said: “I think the young people did absolutely amazingly on a cold winter’s morning. I will be interested to see that the results shows us and how they will help the community.”
When the research is completed, the results will be analysed and a community event will be held where the community researchers will tell the community about the results of their survey.
Residents will then be invited to share their ideas about how they can work with local organisations to meet the needs of the community, and be involved in projects that seek to do this.
