Community Futures - Kent

The Avenues Group has always thought that there was much more to having an enjoyable life than getting support from us, however good it was. People should have opportunities if they want to, to take part in things where they live, use leisure facilities, go to clubs, have a job, get education and training and lots more. Avenues has had a long relationship with Simon Goldsmith at Values Incorporated who has worked with a group of people in Sevenoaks and Swanley to really concentrate on person centred approaches and to link this with real opportunities to participate in the local community through individual situations like getting a job, a place on a course or volunteering opportunities but also to influence in local organisations including the local Council. We thought that there must be something we could do together and this is where Community Futures Kent was born.

 

The new organisation is a charitable subsidiary of the Avenues Group but has plans to become independent when it's secure.  Community Futures Kent combines security of a large not for profit social enterprise with a local drive of a community organisation.

Chaired by Vivienne Smith (pictured right with Simon Goldsmith), Community Futures Kent has the following objectives:

• To increase the number of people who play an active and contributing role within the life of the local community. For example, within the employment, learning leisure, campaigning and community projects
• To support the development of an expanding leadership base that brings people with learning disabilities and other disabled people into greater positions of local and county leadership and influence.
• To support the development of leadership skills necessary to create a strong voice by people with learning disabilities in local decision making and resource allocation.
• To offer a high quality support service for people who want to develop their own personalised plans and support plans to get the lifestyle they want.
• To support the setting up of a greater range of initiatives to increase the employability of people previously excluded from the local community.
• To work on projects that further the goal of creating more inclusive opportunities for local people.
• To support community services to develop easy read information.
• To work closely with colleagues across sectors to find better ways of using public money for the benefit of the whole community.
• To work alongside District Partnership Groups, Locality teams and other partners to model a whole system approach to the way people are prepared and supported.
• To publish good practice from across Kent and contribute to a national profile for inclusive practice particularly in West Kent.

Year One Milestones

Community Futures Kent has only just started, so we will be updating this website with our developments as they happen. However we have a number of plans for the first year which include:

• To employ a community development worker for three days a week.
• Make grant applications to support the new programme to external organisations to sustain and extend programme activities.
• To promote the programme to community partners.
• To work with local Volunteer Centres to create a volunteer base for the organisations activities.
• To build a strong board made up of trustees from different sectors within the community. This will include representation from people who have a learning disability.
• To deliver a leadership programme for 25 self advocates/family leaders in partnership with leadership programmes across Kent.
• To develop support mechanisms around support planning, particularly for people with high support needs.
• To design and deliver a short training programme to new councillors and public services such as schools.
• To map potential leadership opportunities for people with learning disabilities across districts and start the process of matching opportunities to individuals who have attended the leadership programme.
• To research and facilitate employability programmes and vocational courses in the area.
• To create a routine briefing and updating service on opportunities for Kent Adult Social Services in house brokers and any external brokerage.

The work of Community Futures Kent is all about involving the local community so we would be really pleased to hear from you if you have any comments, questions or views on this new exciting organisation.  Please contact: sarah.burfutt@avenuesgroup.org.uk