Friday, July 30th, 2010
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Latest News in Dereham
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July
12th July - Dereham people get a chance to be Vocal Locals
We all want to safeguard the vitality of our market town centres and on Tuesday 13 July, the people of Dereham will get the chance to help their local retailers when the Vocal Local roadshow rolls into the market place.
Shoppers in the town will be asked for their ideas and suggestions – what could Dereham retailers do that would tempt local people to use town centre shops more?
A mobile video recording studio disguised as a traditional black cab will visit the town between 9am and 12pm, giving people the chance to record suggestions for local retailers.
The How to be a Vocal Local campaign aims to show how easy it is for people to have their say, and highlight how ordinary people who care about their communities are making things happen and making a difference.
In Dereham, Breckland Council is particularly keen to gather views about shopping in the town, information which will be fed back to retailers.
Among the key questions are:
• What do you like best about shopping in Dereham?
• If shops in the town centre had extended opening hours, would you be likely to use them more?
• Would you be interested in a loyalty card scheme for the Dereham town centre shops?
• What are your thoughts about holding special events in the market place (like perhaps a local produce event, a French produce, a crafts fair etc)?
• Would you shop online using local shops?
Mark Kiddle-Morris, the council’s executive member for economic and commercial services, said: “Town centre retailers all over the country are facing difficult times and will have to work even harder to keep existing customers and attract new ones.
“On Tuesday, we would like to hear the views of shoppers about a number of initiatives that have been tried in other areas to find out if they could work in Dereham. Everyone’s ideas and suggestions are welcome so please come along”.
Daniel Cox, Chairman of the Norfolk County Strategic Partnership (NCSP) which is running the campaign, said it was vital that people had their say to help shape the places where they live.
“I have spoken to some truly inspirational people who have really helped change people’s lives, and what they’ve all said is that once they knew how to get involved there was no stopping them,” he added.
“By getting involved in decision-making you really can make a difference.”
A Vocal Local website gives people ideas on the different ways to get involved, from working with neighbours on a local issue, or joining a community group, to giving feedback to councils, police or the local NHS.
A radio advertising campaign will run until late September, encouraging people to become a Vocal Local.
Caroline Money, County Strategic Partnership officer added: “There are dozens of different ways you can be a Vocal Local, depending on what interests you, how much time you have and how much or little you want to get involved,”
“People can give from just a few hours a month to full-time work, but many employers support vocal locals with time off work for public duties. What’s more, for some of these roles, organisations can pay expenses for travel or childcare so you are not out-of-pocket for taking part.”
Visit www.vocallocal.co.uk to find out more.
Submited by: Dawn Humphreys.
Contact number: 01603 417722
7th July - Dereham people get a chance to be Vocal Locals
We all want to safeguard the vitality of our market town centres and, on Tuesday
Shoppers in the town will be asked for their ideas and suggestions – what could Dereham retailers do that would tempt local people to use town centre shops more?
A mobile video recording studio disguised as a traditional black cab will visit the town between 9am and 12pm, giving people the chance to record suggestions for local retailers.
The How to be a Vocal Local campaign aims to show how easy it is for people to have their say, and highlight how ordinary people who care about their communities are making things happen and making a difference.
In Dereham, Breckland Council is particularly keen to gather views about shopping in the town, information which will be fed back to retailers.
Among the key questions are:
• What do you like best about shopping in Dereham?
• If shops in the town centre had extended opening hours, would you be likely to use them more?
• Would you be interested in a loyalty card scheme for the Dereham town centre shops?
• What are your thoughts about holding special events in the market place (like perhaps a local produce event, a French produce, a crafts fair etc)?
• Would you shop online using local shops?
Mark Kiddle-Morris, the council’s executive member for economic and commercial services, said: “Town centre retailers all over the country are facing difficult times and will have to work even harder to keep existing customers and attract new ones.
“On Tuesday, we would like to hear the views of shoppers about a number of initiatives that have been tried in other areas to find out if they could work in Dereham. Everyone’s ideas and suggestions are welcome so please come along”.
Daniel Cox, Chairman of the Norfolk County Strategic Partnership (NCSP) which is running the campaign, said it was vital that people had their say to help shape the places where they live.
“I have spoken to some truly inspirational people who have really helped change people’s lives, and what they’ve all said is that once they knew how to get involved there was no stopping them,” he added.
“By getting involved in decision-making you really can make a difference.”
A Vocal Local website gives people ideas on the different ways to get involved, from working with neighbours on a local issue, or joining a community group, to giving feedback to councils, police or the local NHS.
A radio advertising campaign will run until late September, encouraging people to become a Vocal Local.
Caroline Money, County Strategic Partnership officer added: “There are dozens of different ways you can be a Vocal Local, depending on what interests you, how much time you have and how much or little you want to get involved,”
“People can give from just a few hours a month to full-time work, but many employers support vocal locals with time off work for public duties. What’s more, for some of these roles, organisations can pay expenses for travel or childcare so you are not out-of-pocket for taking part.”
Visit www.vocallocal.co.uk to find out more.
Submited by: Dawn Humphreys.
Contact number: 01603 417722
January
22nd January - Mid Norfolk Mencap in Dereham are working with the Dereham Area Partnership
Support for Mencap Micro Enterprises!
Mid Norfolk Mencap in Dereham are working with the Dereham Area Partnership to support a number of people with learning difficulties in the area to start up their own Micro Enterprise businesses.
Although lots of support is being provided by both organisations, further voluntary help is required to support each person.
To date five participants have started three separate business ventures including “General Office Services” ,including shredding and leaflet folding and distribution, “Gardening Services” including general maintenance and “Log Making” which takes old newspapers which are then recycled and made into logs for fires or BBQs.
Flagship Housing Association recently helped one of the businesses who used their Dereham office reception area to sell their logs, which as well as giving them a place to sell their products gave them a chance to explain their business venture to the general public. Andy Moulton of Flagship said,” We’re delighted to help the Micro Enterprises develop their businesses and hope we can support them further during 2010”.
George Hayes from the Dereham Area Partnership who is helping as their business mentor said, “ Each of the participants have done a great job in developing their businesses to date but all need further help and support to develop them further”.
Do you have a spare hour or two to help people with learning difficulties?
The project was originally supported with funding through the Learning Disability Development Fund.
If you are interested or would like an informal chat, please contact George Hayes on 07884 263241 , e-mail: ghayes2098@aol.com or come into Mencap, 33 Quebec Street, Dereham,NR19 2DJ
Submited by: Lucy.
Contact number: 01953 456789