An amazing series of events in West Cumbria brought communities together this summer.
Four Operation Respect community days were organised in Maryport and Workington by the Allerdale Local Focus Hub - a multi-agency group that tackles antisocial behaviour.
Dozens of community support organisations met residents and joined forces to offer litter picks, children’s activities, healthy food, sport and a way to speak to the people who keep communities safe.
Residents were able to have rubbish taken away (to combat fly tipping and littering) and get advice on health, housing, finance and a wealth of other family support.
Emma Thompson, who manages the Local Focus Hub partnership for Cumberland Council, said: “The events were incredible. Residents turned out not only to meet various agencies, but to really graft and make their community a great place to live.
“We had one local shop owner who turned up laden with groceries. He said ‘I saw what you were doing to help our community and wanted to offer this to families who need it.’ That summed it up for me.
“Tivoli (grounds maintenance contactors) and Home Group spent one afternoon clearing a garden for someone experiencing difficult times. They were visibly exhausted and bramble beaten – but could see the positive impact of their efforts. I’d also like to thank Cumbria Waste, Workington Cricket Club and the Duke of Edinburgh volunteers for their fantastic efforts.”
Inspector Pete Aiston, of Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We were pleased to support these events, which provided us further opportunity to meet with people with our local communities and hear from them on matters which are impacting them.
“Working together with partners agencies is important to providing an effective problem-solving service. We look forward to once again carrying out such activity with partners from the Local Focus Hub in the future.”
Cumberland’s Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, Councillor Denise Rollo, said: “We always pledged to put wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and this is that policy in action for all to see. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the housing providers who led these events, and to all the agencies who took part and worked so hard – they are really making a difference to people’s lives.
“I attended the Salterbeck event and it was uplifting to see residents and organisations come together in this way. I saw people making their community look and feel like a great place to live. The agencies who came together weren’t just offering fantastic advice and support, they were breaking down barriers and connecting with the people they serve. That’s absolutely vital if we are to have safe, connected communities.
Two of the Operation Respect events took place at Westfield in Workington, one at Salterbeck in Workington, and one at Ewanrigg in Maryport. There was advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, fire safety and recycling as well as a focus on access to healthy food and the cost-of-living crisis.
Local Focus Hubs are problem-solving groups set up to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve community safety. The council, police, fire service, housing associations and third sector organisations work to address issues collectively.
Allerdale Local Focus Hub covers the area of the former Allerdale Borough Council. Its partners include Cumberland Council, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, Riverside, Westfield Housing Association, Castles and Coast Housing Association, Home Group, probation services and third sector agencies. There are also Local Focus Hubs for the areas formerly covered by Copeland and Carlisle councils.
Click here for a picture of Ewanrigg residents enjoying a game of rounders with local police officers: https://dmscdn.vuelio.co.uk/publicitem/b71ea4a0-9f4a-4307-92cd-bed5ce5ec046
Click here for a picture of litter pickers at the Salterbeck event:
https://dmscdn.vuelio.co.uk/publicitem/53a3ec23-b392-4a49-ada2-418e7d97b703/webversion
Click here for a picture of youngsters helping out at the Firth View, Westfield, event:
https://dmscdn.vuelio.co.uk/publicitem/0c29df9f-3c29-4c68-a425-7b7a639fcc15/webversion
Click here for a picture of a community clean-up in Windsor Road, Westfield:
https://dmscdn.vuelio.co.uk/publicitem/f5f1dd10-e9e6-40b8-b6f1-b50f23a1025c