GHP is working with Hertfordshire County Council's Strategic Partnerships Unit to deliver a county-wide PerceptionAREA project to inform a new Community Cohesion Strategy for the county. This will complement and explore in more detail the findings of existing surveys about how well people get on with each other in the community and why. This partnership project is overseen and guided by a project team of representatives of Hertfordshire County Council, North Hertfordshire District Council, Stevenage Borough Council and Watford Borough Council.
Four different types of community representing a broad range of people living in Hertfordshire have been selected as a focus for this project - Watford, Stevenage, parts of North Herts and parts of Broxbourne.
GHP is working with artists group Proboscis to engage members of the community in these areas. Proboscis are an artist-led studio using innovative methodologies to record public perception and opinion. This information is then utilised in creative ways to produce artwork, installations, books, films and architectural constructions that address a variety of social and cultural issues.
During Autumn 2009, Proboscis spent time meeting with a range of people to collect a variety of opinions from Watford, Stevenage, rural North Hertfordshire and the commuter areas of Broxbourne. Proboscis spoke to over 250 people between the ages of 5 and 90, from diverse backgrounds and in a wide range of settings from small organisations, community groups and the public, to discuss what the word ‘community’ meant to them. Proboscis captured peoples’ views through one to one conversations and creative exercises. Their research will be presented in an exciting publication which details the ideas, visions and suggestions of local people for supporting strong communities.
This work builds upon previous consultation carried out by Hertfordshire County Council with the community through traditional surveys about how well different people get on with each other. This publication will be presented to the community, Council Members and Project Team and will be used to inform the Hertfordshire Forward Community Cohesion strategy, the Hertfordshire County Council Single Equalities Scheme, as well as future policies in this area. This will support the partners to build stronger communities where people feel valued, get along well together and feel they belong.
To support the project, Proboscis have set up a blog which follows the process and their conversations with members of the community. Find out more at http://withourearstotheground.wordpress.com
Hertfordshire County Council Stronger Communities Officers, Strategic Partnerships Unit
Team Leader, Strategic Partnerships Unit
County Arts Development Officer
Watford Borough Council
