2nd February 2012

PORTLAND: Community organisers will help islanders to tackle local issues

By Harry Walton

ISLAND Community Action has been chosen to take part in the national Community Organisers scheme and has already started a hunt for community minded people on Portland.

Community Organisers is a government funded scheme which aims to train 5,000 “community organisers” who will work in local communities around the country to bring people together, listen to ideas, build networks and support people to tackle local issues which are important to them.

ICA, which will provide the community organisers with a range of practical support and management, was selected due to its strong community knowledge and networks.

Chairman Kim Wilcocks said: “We’re thrilled that Portland is going to be one of the next areas for the Community Organisers scheme.

“There are so many people on the island who are dedicated, motivated and really care about making their neighbourhood a better place to be. Hopefully, the scheme will give these people a platform to take this passion further.

“We’re looking for resourceful, outgoing people with the ability to empathise and encourage and who have a wide range of practical skills from one-to-one listening to organising public meetings.”

Jess Steele, who leads the Community Organisers programme for Locality said: “We selected ICA on Portland as a host for Community Organisers because of the key role they play in the local community.

“They are a locally rooted, vibrant and respected organisation. We know they’ll select some fantastic community organisers.”

ICA will choose three trainee community organisers from the area and will host them while they undergo their training with Locality’s national training partner Re:generate.

The community organisers will then work in a neighbourhood chosen by ICA in consultation with local partners where they will put their training into practice and develop their skills.

Anyone interested in applying or finding out more should contact the ICA office on 01305 823789 for more information.