Civic Trust Strategy

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Creating Better Places for People

Strategy 2009 to 2012

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

Cover Image: East Beach Café, Littlehampton Photo: Andy Stagg

Contents 3 Who we are and what we do 4 Our History 6 Mission, vision and values 8 Strategic objectives 12 How we will measure success

01

Cherkely Court, Leatherhead One of 3,500 properties which opened nationwide to 1 million visitors for Heritage Open Days in 2007. Photo: Andy Newbold Photography

Centre for Wildlife Gardening, London Our work encourages communities to work together for the benefit of all. Photo: Tracey Neil

Wakefield Civic Society Blue Plaque Civic societies make a real difference to the places in which they live, from appreciating heritage to working with planning departments. Photo: Wakefield Civic Society

The Arcade, Barnsley Photo: Kyle Wilkinson

Who we are and what we do The Civic Trust works for better places in which people can live, work and relax. We believe that these places must be designed and built to respond to the needs of the people who use them. They must be accessible to, and safe for, their communities. 02

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

The background to the Civic Trust The Civic Trust works for better places in which people can live, work and relax. We believe that these places must be designed and built to respond to the needs of the people who use them. They must be accessible to, and safe for, their communities. We empower individuals and communities of all ages and backgrounds to understand and improve their places. We coach and support them to own the regeneration, economic growth and the change agendas for their environment.

We champion vibrant, inclusive towns and cities, and show how places can be better. Above all, we believe that people can, and must, play a part in shaping their own communities. We work in partnership with the public sector, private companies, voluntary organisations and communities to influence policy, planning and development.

We raise awareness of the need to create environments which bring out the best in people, celebrate the best places, and expect the highest quality for all communities. We believe in educating people about their heritage through preserving the best of the past, and designing for the future.

03

Feature spotting at St Mary’s, West Malling Heritage Open Days enables communities to celebrate their shared heritage. Photo: Katja Condy

Roundwood Park, London Borough of Brent The Civic Trust works to raise the quality of our green spaces for the enjoyment of the whole community. Photo: London Borough of Brent

Essex University Lecture Hall Civic Trust Award winner. Elegant and simple the building provides facilities for both the university and wider community. Photo: Charlotte Wood Photography

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

Our history Founded in 1957, the Civic Trust is a national charity which campaigns for better places in which people live, work and relax. We help communities to influence and improve their environment.

We are continuing to work with communities and decision makers to ensure that spaces and places are planned, designed, built and protected for the benefit of us all.

Fifty years ago, the Civic Trust was established as a champion for the built environment and for Britain’s rich heritage of historic buildings and places. For half a century, the Trust has focused not only on conservation, but also on bringing about change, improvement and higher standards. Our campaigning and work with communities influences national policy, changes legislation and brings about better places for people. We continue to be at the forefront of urban regeneration, heritage protection and citizenship. Our research, consultancy and award schemes develop, recognise and reward high quality environments in our villages, towns and cities.

Trafford Ecology Park Our programmes encourage young people to explore and appreciate their environment. Photo: Trafford MBC

BizFizz networking event Bringing together a network of experienced volunteers to help new entrepreneurs start new businesses. Photo: BizFizz

Manchester at night Successful evening economies are safe, varied and attractive to all members of the community. Photo: Hannah Mummery

04

Hazelwood School, Glasgow Photo: Andrew Lee

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

Mission, vision and values The Civic Trust is the independent nationwide network dedicated to helping communities make better places in which to live, work, and play. We campaign for better places for people. 05

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

Mission

Values

The Civic Trust is the independent nationwide network dedicated to helping communities make better places in which to live, work, and play. We campaign for better places for people.

It is important to us that the outcome of our work:

Vision

Promotes a feeling of civic pride Fosters community involvement and facilitates active participation in democratic processes yy Preserves the best of the past yy Designs for a sustainable future yy yy

As an organisation we will:

The Civic Trust will be a powerful, definitive and distinctive voice which helps communities to imagine, shape and deliver inspiring places and an enduring future. The Civic Trust will enhance the general well-being and quality of lives of people and communities by working with them to value, enjoy and provide aesthetic, prosperous and greener places for a sustainable Britain.

yy yy

yy yy yy yy yy

Ince Blundell Hall Over 35,000 volunteers are involved in opening a wide range of buildings for Heritage Open Days. Photo: zestimages.com

Empower people from all walks of life who share our hopes and aspirations Respect the views of others and continue to act as an honest broker to seek positive outcomes for the whole community Collaborate in bringing about change for the benefit of communities Challenge those things that work against the interests of a thriving community Acknowledge the role of the business community in creating prosperity Nurture creative and inspiring outcomes Be professional and well informed

Gheluvelt Park, Worcester Safe and well maintained green spaces provide a breathing space for all the community. Photo: Worcester City Council

Rotating Windshelter, Blackpool Civic Trust Award winner. The judging panel for these unique awards includes a community assessor. Photo: Peter Cook, View

06

Forbury Gardens, Reading Photo: Reading Borough Council

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

Strategic objectives 1. To strengthen and grow an active civic movement 2. Empowering communities and residents to raise standards in their environment of the future 3. Work with local and national government to influence and shape policies 07

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

1. To strengthen and grow an active civic movement Objectives

Actions

Increase and broaden our membership to ensure effective representation of the whole community

Actively promote the Civic Champions programme to Civic Societies, empower them to expand their own networks and spheres of influence and inspire them to innovate Work with voluntary and other groups to identify, focus on and engage with excluded communities in our target areas Challenge regional associations in our target areas to be proactive in establishing new Civic Societies in deprived areas and in promoting tools and approaches that Societies have successfully implemented elsewhere

Inspire and strengthen the grassroots membership through improved support and coordination, training and information sharing

Develop and provide frameworks to enable the establishment of vital neighbourhood networks and partnerships, enabling collaboration between communities of interest to solve problems directly Capture the imagination of our membership, providing them with the tools, equipping local members to participate as constructive stakeholders in the local democratic processes, including the development and review of Community Strategies, Local Development Frameworks and active participation in Local Strategic Partnerships Understand better the needs and concerns of members and potential members. Celebrate their successes and through lectures and education events such as Paving the Way ensure new developments contribute to our future heritage Broaden the membership’s opportunities for direct contact including participation in regional and local meetings and fundraising activities Develop improved tools to ensure we represent the collective voice of the grassroots civic movement at the national level and support their campaigns

Continue to increase the diversity and appeal of our volunteering opportunities

Explore ways of engaging young people at all levels in Heritage Open Days, allowing young people to shape what we deliver Widen participation from BME and other third sector groups, establish database of regional and local community and faith organisations / groups in collaboration with English Heritage Outreach Boost participation of families, especially from deprived areas, establish links with local SureStart Centres Extend opportunities for members of the public interested in their local built environment to take part in the assessment process within the Civic Trust Award scheme and to build relationships with qualified professionals

08

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

2. Empowering communities and residents to raise standards in their environment of the future Objectives

Actions

To reward, recognise and promote those people and places that reach the highest standard and make a positive contribution to their communities

Develop and grow the Civic Trust Awards, inviting a wide range of partners to support special awards aimed at encouraging participation from more deprived areas Launch the new celebration of the night time economy with the first Purple Flag awards ceremony in 2009, expanding the scheme across the whole of England Continue our innovation and research in design and master planning best practice that supports new community strategies. Use this to coach, develop standards and celebrate excellence

Provide frameworks for communities to take ownership of regeneration and change agendas for their environment

Utilise the learning from our community programmes, such as High Street, to create new relationships between residents, local authorities and the private sector, in which their creativity, knowledge, skills and experience is recognised as having equal worth alongside regeneration specialists and professionals Lead on high street regeneration, through programmes of action that support and grow the local economy Provide an antidote to ‘Clone Town’ by championing distinctiveness as a lever for local economic growth

Facilitate the provision of community coaching and education that reaches and empowers communities to imagine, shape and deliver inspiring and sustainable places

09

Develop new coaching products, building upon our previous successes, to empower and educate our members and supporters to make a difference in their own communities Provide community engagement by recruiting and training built environment professionals as volunteers to assess the Civic Trust Award scheme Empower residents to create and deliver their own holistic solutions to high street regeneration and place shaping by sharing structures and processes that have proven successful

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

3. Work with local and national government to influence and shape policies Objectives

Actions

Promote the importance of civic pride, responsibility and community engagement with decision makers

Strengthen our relationships with Civic Societies, providing tangible support for their development plans and evidence of ‘what works’ to guide and inform Support our members in building lasting relationships with local decision makers and to encourage them to work together on collaborative solutions Provide opportunities for our members to engage with and learn from each other through seminars, information sharing and networking events

Strengthen consultation arrangements to ensure the Trust can provide rapid, representative and evidence based input to policy decisions

Develop and promote the Civic Trust brand to increase its profile and influence. Provide high quality responses to policy consultations and to the concerns raised from our membership Create and sustain meaningful relationships with senior members of government to engage and influence national policy Broaden communication channels to ensure we listen to all of our members so that in turn their knowledge and experience can help influence our agenda and policy Use of web based tools and other social media to improve coverage and quality of our consultation responses and to provide fora for broader dialogue with members and those engaged in civil society

Improved partnership and networking to add the Trust’s distinctive and unique value, complementing and supporting the efforts of others in shaping and influencing the policy agenda

Develop our communications and relationship management strategies to deliver new and enduring partnerships within the planning, community engagement, town centre and local economies, regeneration and conservation sectors Utilise our evidence based research to develop new programmes that support communities and influence government policy

10

China Town, Manchester Photo: Manchester City Council

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

How we will measure success We will evidence the impact of our work through regular assessment and reporting our performance against agreed baselines and annual targets.

11

Creating Better Places for People The Civic Trust’s Strategy for 2009 to 2012

How we will measure success We will evidence the impact of our work through regular assessment and reporting our performance against agreed baselines and annual targets. In particular we will be looking to see improvements in the following key dimensions: yy

yy

yy

yy

yy yy

Volunteer participation with our programmes - numbers, geographic reach, diversity of backgrounds and ages. Social impact of our programmes evidenced by surveys covering perceptions of belonging, social cohesion and satisfaction with their environment. Volunteer learning and development based on surveys, interviews and practical case studies. Numbers of members of the public who have successfully completed one of our courses, seminars or events and positive evaluation results from these events. Number of individuals participating in coaching. Local business growth evidenced through co-authored, outcome focussed measures

Great Malvern High Street A partnership between local people, businesses and authorities working to develop a thriving local economy. Photo: Bridget Orr

yy

yy

yy yy

yy

including; new business start ups, business survival rates, job creation and reductions in worklessness. Evidence of improved community engagement and social impact of coaching through post event surveys, positive evaluation results and interviews. Membership numbers and improvement on the degree to which they represent the community in which they are resident. Membership service quality and customer satisfaction survey results. Diversity and number of grass roots partnerships developed through engagement with the Civic Trust and our programmes. Number of policy consultations and challenges where we have represented our members. The results of our monitoring and evaluation will inform our future policy and programme development.

Bourbon Lane, Fulham Civic Trust Award winner. The streetscape creates a positive atmosphere and neighbourhood, giving the area character and personality. Photo: Morley Von Sternberg

Local learning The Civic Trust empowers local people to come together to campaign for better spaces and places in their own communities. Photo: Wakefield Civic Society

12

The Civic Trust 2nd Floor, Essex Hall 1-6 Essex Street London WC2R 3HU Tel: 020 7539 7900 Fax: 020 7539 7901 Email: [email protected] Web: www.civictrust.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1068759 Patron: HRH Prince of Wales President: Griff Rhys Jones

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