Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society visited the Wyre Forest on Thursday 20 October 2011 to meet residents who are active in their communities and speak at a conference about the Big Society.
He attended an informal lunch with members of the Friends of Baxter Gardens, Friends of Broadwaters Park, Friends of Springfield Park, Friends of Brinton Park Friends of St Georges Park and the Council Parks team to hear about how their shared work and determination has helped to transform Kidderminster parks into vibrant community facilities.
Local resident and Chair of Friends of Baxter Gardens, Sue MacTaggart, complimented Wyre Forest District Council and Vestia Community Trust (part of The Community Housing Group TCHG) for the support they had given residents to establish her group.
Families with multiple and complex needs are an area of interest for the Government and the Worcestershire Family Intervention Project (WFIP- part of Vestia Community Trust) have been active for several years in developing services to help families make positive changes in their lives. The Minister visited a family who have had support from the WFIP and met with some of the Project Workers to hear how their work with the families has achieved successful outcomes for many families in crisis across the county.
The Wyre Forest Big Society Conference, organised by Vestia Community Trust and Wyre Forest District Council, brought together community representatives, residents, Councillors and representatives from statutory and voluntary agencies in the district to discuss what the Big Society means for Wyre Forest. Nick Hurd addressed the conference and outlined the Government’s plans for the Big Society and giving charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations a greater role in the provision of community services.
Marina Banner, Executive Director for Vestia Community Trust said “We were really pleased to welcome the Minister for Civil Society to the Wyre Forest and give him an opportunity to see first hand, how Vestia Community Trust has been supporting communities across the District to work with the Council and other partners to achieve positive community involvement and change at a neighbourhood level. It was also great to see local residents talking directly with Nick about their thoughts and ideas regarding the Government’s plans for the Big Society.
Councillor Tracey Onslow, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing said: “This visit has highlighted the excellent working relationships Wyre Forest District Council is forging with local residents groups over the management of many local facilities such as allotments, community centres, museums, civic centres and parks. We now have many working examples all acrossWyreForest of the District Council and local groups, such as 'Friends' groups, working in partnership, supporting each other, to demonstrate what can be achieved when local communities and organisations work together.”
This is the second ministerial visit the Company has taken part in. Iain Duncan Smith, The Minister of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, recently visited Wyre Forest Community Housing’s new office.
