West Norfolk Partnership
West Norfolk Partnership
The West Norfolk Partnership (WNP) is the Local Strategic Partnership for King's Lynn and West Norfolk. Members include the Borough and County Council, NHS Norfolk, RAF Marham, College of West Anglia (COWA), voluntary sector and the police. Working together these organisations tackle the toughest problems across West Norfolk. 2009 saw the launch of several major partnership projects and the growth and success of longer-term work.
Doing Something Different in Fairstead
Do Something Different (DSD) is a major lifestyles project that encourages people to make small changes in their daily lives as a way of boosting their health and wellbeing.
The WNP has teamed up with the University of Hertfordshire for this work. DSD works on the premise that by breaking old habits and trying new things, people can shake off stress, have happier family lives - as well as shrinking their waistline. Initially this work is in Fairstead ward and is free for residents and Fairstead doctor surgery patients. 150 individuals and families have signed up so far.
Visit www.fairsteaddsd.co.uk. DSD is funded by the WNP with contributions from NHS Norfolk.
Open Road West Norfolk gets into gear!
Open Road West Norfolk opened in 2009; offering young people the chance to gain some under-the-bonnet technical skills alongside their school studies.
Based on the Norwich project, Open Road offers Year 10 and 11 pupils the opportunity to obtain a recognised qualification, whilst working hands on with motorbikes and cars in state-of-the-art facilities. The project teaches practical skills that can be used for future careers - schools can nominate pupils to send for 1 or 2 days a week.
Visit www.openroadtraining.co.uk. Open Road is funded by the WNP with contributions from the Norfolk Youth Fund.
Opportunities West Norfolk event hailed 'best yet'!
Opportunities West Norfolk celebrated its fourth successful event as over 1400 young people from West Norfolk high schools took part.
Attendees were given the chance to create a logo, build a wall, bathe an (electronic) baby and try a host of activities at this event designed to show the range of career opportunities in West Norfolk. The day included 40 stands, representing businesses, colleges and universities in the region, giving first-hand advice and information.
This project is financially underwritten by the WNP with contributions from the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Aimhigher, COWA and Connexions.
Around the world tickles lots of taste buds!
Over 1000 people took their taste buds ‘Around the World in 80 Dishes'. The 6th year of this popular international food festival saw a range of businesses, community groups and local people celebrating their country of origin with entertainment and a mouth-watering selection of dishes to sample.
Parish projects
For the 5th year running, the WNP has awarded funding to projects in parishes with more than 10% second homes. This year 22 parishes benefited from £117K worth of funding. This scheme shows the partnership's commitment to helping those areas which see the impact high levels of second homes have on their community.
Projects funded this year include; new play equipment, extensions to village halls, refurbishment of sports facilities and restoration of a war memorial.
Plans for 2010....
The WNP will undertake work in West Norfolk's southern neighbourhood following a successful application to ‘Your Norfolk, Your Decision' and partnering with the Young Foundation.
This work will focus on improving recreational activities for young people across this rural area, by looking at what is already available and what young people would like to see.
The WNP were awarded £36,750 to add to the £49,000 they have already made available. This project is already underway; three events with residents and service providers have been held. The next steps will be to consult with young people from the area and take these findings to the steering group to decide how best to implement them.
The four-year government-funded Improving Neighbourhoods scheme in King's Lynn draws to a close in March. The WNP and the Borough Council have conducted a review of the programme and agreed to support a further three year neighbourhood management scheme in the town. The Improving Neighbourhoods team join the WNP team in order to provide more coherent support to neighbourhood and partnership working across West Norfolk.
For more information, please contact Ian Burbidge, Policy & Performance Manager 01553 616722 ian.burbidge@west-norfolk.gov.uk
For further information about these projects and those aspects of the partnership's work that we've not had space to include here please visit www.wnp.org.uk.