301-05 RESEARCHING LOCAL INFORMATION – Community Learning Development

Community Learning Development Resource 301 – 05

RESEARCHING LOCAL INFORMATION

SUMMARY

Workshop activity – for community development workers – a trawl of an edition of a local weekly newspaper. Where a local newspaper exists, the exercise uses it as a starting point when finding out about the local area.

Workshop Activity: A trawl of the source content :

A one hour small group reading and recording exercise, then explore and discuss:

The information gained
The potential of the newspaper as a source of information
How to gain, record and use the information
Implications for work and initiatives.

EXAMPLE: The H******** TIMES weekly newspaper – INFORMATION SEARCH –

	NEWS ARTICLES and STORIES	POTENTIAL / IMPLICATIONS
1.	Local community school gains ‘Technology’ status, inclusive of adult & community learning development
2.	H***** Young People’s Information Centre (YPIC) has found ideal new premises at the top of **** Street
3.	S C village hall restoration – names of secretary and chair identified with contact numbers
4.	Borough Council Conservation Officer is working with E S local history group on restoring local workers terrace houses – name of contact given
5.	C Parish Hall – meeting of the Social Committee – name and contact details given
6.	Local Pensioners Action Group to lobby local MP inWestminstervisit
7.	Training Scheme placement at Mobility Centre(disability transport) in the B Centre

8.	Volunteer Bureau and the CVS merge keeping adjacent offices- contact name and details given
9.	In T – erection of telecommunications mast in the village – opposition led by ************
10.	‘S G Village Hall Saved’ – the new management committee want to increase use and to continue improvements with coffee lounge and disabled access. Now has parents and toddlers and exercise groups. Bookings contact & phone number
11.	E Village Hall are seeking to increase use – name and number for contact
12.	Computer Fair at H Leisure Centre, 10 – 3 on Saturday 9 Feb.
13.	The **** ****Inn, K M is now available for corporate meetings, etc. 01455 840330

2. Within the H****** Times trawl – from ‘The Weekly Diary’ page – entries with details activity of day / time / venue / contacts – potential for contact and the development capacity building work?

ENTRY – each entry has name/contact details	POTENTIAL/ IMPLICATIONS?
Canal Association meeting
A*** Centre in B with meetings of a sensory disabilities group and a visually impaired group
B Garden Club
B and E S Disability Group at the B Sports Club
B****** Bird Club
B****** Heritage Group
CAB local venues
Dog Training Clubs – B and B
E S Camera Club at the B Centre
E S & District History Club at CommunitySchool
Exercise and aerobics groups – 17 entries and local venues, including over 50’s, etc.
German Circleat Community school

H******* Amateur Radio and Electronics Society
H Bridge Club
H Chess Club
H ChoralUnion
H and District Flower Club
H Model Railway Club
H and District Photographic Society
H Society of Arts at FE College
H Stroke Club at W Community Centre
H Sub-Aqua Club at H Leisure Centre
H U3A at the Centre, B
Life Drawing Group at H College
Line Dancing at 15 local venues
Six local Over 60’s groups
Seven Parents and Toddlers Groups
Two Playgroups
Tai’Chi at H Leisure Centre and S G
Toy Library at W CC and the Centre, B
Women’s Institutes at 4 local venues
Yoga courses at 9 local venues
FEATURE : Round the Clubs – news from the local Ramblers; 3 Heritage Groups & the Choral Union.

All this information in one edition of the local weekly newspaper!

PROMPTS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

After completing a reading and searching exercise, review the recorded information, and on categorising and collating in relation to building your picture of the local area – needs and wants – service, provision and facilities, etc.

Identify possible people to contact

Identify possible – venues; learning opportunities; networking opportunities; promotional opportunities; information sources; sources of support