NEWS

Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) Follow up (January 2012)

Some time has passed since the launch event last October and we would like to report on some developments.

Most importantly, the South West ROC conference is fast approaching and for any interested, it is important to book up ASAP to allow the ROC office to make all necessary arrangements. Please follow ROC SW and book your place!

We have had approaches from institutions and agencies that are seeking to offer partnerships with local churches which we feel are very strategic and are urgently developing these possibilities. Please see below :

• Plymouth College of Art and Design; seeking more community engagement, keen to help with Youth Groups, eager for people to visit their facilities.
• Fire, Police & Health services are developing a project called ‘Safe & Healthy Homes’ wishing the church to provide volunteers to visit homes of vulnerable people to offer support.
• Derriford Hospital have asked for Youth Leaders’ to help engage with young people for whom alcohol misuse meant they finished their evening in A&E – capturing what they call, a ‘Golden hour’ to hold meaningful discussions with the youths concerned.
• Probation Services have approached us seeking opportunities for Community Service (now known as Community Payback) opportunities, whereby work projects could be developed. Community payback could provide free labour and churches would have the chance to draw alongside people at a significant juncture in their lives.
• Community policing have sought links with churches, particularly in regard to Youth ministries. They recognise the good role models’ and wholesome activities we provide, which they would like to support and help resource.
• NHS Community Care are investigating the possibility of providing training to help Senior Citizen Luncheon clubs provide Memory Clinic sand Passive exercises; also to be a community liaison with Care Homes, providing Chaplaincy services that would help the homes meet their community engagement targets.

Other Areas around the South-west are in similar conversations; and a ROC SW Steering group meets to gather this information and provide encouragement and direction to Devon and Cornwall ROC contacts.

We are delighted that Churches are seeing the possibilities ROC provides for engaging with the community. If you have ideas of how you would like to be involved, please email them into either:

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 16:29 Written by CTiP Webmaster Tuesday, 14 February 2012 16:25

ROC Plymouth - Video

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 December 2011 15:22 Written by CTiP Webmaster Tuesday, 06 December 2011 15:06

Redeeming our Communities – The way forward!

Thursday, 20th October saw the launch of ROC Devon & Cornwall - what a fantastic evening! We have had so much positive, excited feedback from the agencies involved and the Churches represented. Here's what Deputy Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer had to say:

“It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to attend the ROC launch for Devon and Cornwall last week in Plymouth. The evening was high energy, thought provoking and a heart-warming experience as people identified how their lives had been transformed...This was my first experience of ROC and may it not be the last. I encourage all readers to explore more within the website and to work with ROC wherever possible in taking forward initiatives for the benefit of all.”

Thank you so much for joining us on the evening! The collection achieved just over £2000 which we will use to promote ROC all over the South-West. Now we really want to help build the structure needed, capture the enthusiasm and point the way forward to make ROC a real force for transforming communities here in the South-west. Even now, all over the peninsular there are ROC conversations happening bringing together people of goodwill in each city / town / village / community …

We will soon be in a position to collate the email addresses geographically so we can put people in touch with each other. Meanwhile, consider who your organisation could usefully partner with and set up a meeting! Maybe you know of others who were there that evening, or people interested ...

Grab a coffee and chat over:

1. What are the issues for our community and how could it be made better.
2. Identify what each person / organisation brings to the table, and who else it would be valuable to involve.
3. Plan a way forward, another meeting / an action plan / further investigation.

Email the results of your meeting into either:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so we can begin to support, encourage and draw others alongside you! We have developed a menu of ideas to give inspiration of what projects could be possible.

• Pass along a copy of the ROC Devon & Cornwall Resource Pack received at the event. A copy can be downloaded here.
• Consider booking into the ROC Devon & Cornwall Ambassadors Conference, 9-10th March 2012.

Further action now:

• Consider partnering on a ROC Café, other ROC projects or becoming a ROC Church. Check out our website.
• 'Like' our ROC Devon & Cornwall Facebook page for the latest news and updates.

Together, let's make some dreams become a reality and do something wonderful to 'Redeem our Community'!

Written by CTiP Webmaster Tuesday, 06 December 2011 13:25