2018

2018 was a year of growth and development for the Neighbourhood Network, with funding investment from the Community Safety Partnership which enabled the staffing team at the charity to grow, along with the appointment of a new trustee.

In May 2018 the team were pleased to welcome Katie Winter for 18 hours per week in a Charity Support Officer role.

The significant grant awarded by the Community Safety Partnership will provide financial sustainability throughout 2018/2019 and allow for new more suitable office premises to be sought for the charity. Other funding in 2018 included investment from the Tribune Trust for new Neighbourhood Watch signs and stickers, allowing for the charity to continue to supply these free of charge to new and existing groups. Funding was also received from Bud Hull with regards to the cycle lock scheme and money was received from KCOM and Rank/Esmee Fairburn to contribute to the hosting of the NN Annual Awards event.

2018 also saw the continuation of the partnership project with Humberside Police – Cycle theft – target hardening & education initiative. It has seen the NN partner up with the Hull Culture and Leisure facilities identified as being cycle crime hot spots, along with more schools and colleges in selling and supplying the locks on a sale or return basis. The NN Team have also been out publicising the scheme and attended events organised by Humberside Police and other private organisations such as Kingswood Retail Park. In total 234 cycle locks were distributed in the Humberside region through this project in 2018.

2018 saw the Humber Watch Association (the coming together of the 4 unitary authorities supporting Neighbourhood Watch within the Humberside region) organise and host the inaugural HWA Annual Regional Conference at the Country Park Inn. Attendees travelled all over from the Humberside region, with twelve different groups attending from Hull alone. The event allowed the attendees to sit with other groups from across the region and discuss their suggestions and solutions to common community problems. The overall feedback from the event was very positive and the association will organise a future HWA event.

Both managers were lucky to be selected to complete the Clore Social Hey100 New to Management Programme. This course included six free training days/workshops from September to December with the aim of becoming better leaders within the social sector. The course included self-awareness and personal effectiveness, high performing teams, effective communication, organisational impact and evaluation and problem solving and innovation.

During the summer months Neighbourhood Network was approached by various organisations nationwide to share its best practice. The National Neighbourhood Watch Network was impressed with the work of the charity and had suggested that Leicestershire Police and South Yorkshire Police paid the charity a visit. Since the visit South Yorkshire Police has launched a similar model based on the charity called Mexborough Neighbourhood Network.

The support and development of Business/Retail watches has continued throughout the year, with new interest from Marfleet, Spring Bank, Ings Traders, Orchard park and Greenwood Avenue, Southcotes. Spring Bank came to fruition and has developed into a supportive network of businesses all sharing relevant information with Humberside Police and each other.

Partnership work has continued with Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Hull City Council and other community safety organisations and 2018 has seen the NN been part of the ‘Playing Out’ steering group, helping to support this concept within the member groups. Other projects of this type have included support with the Police’s Demand Reduction Initiatives city wide and in December attending an arson prevention day in the West Carr Ward of the city. Being included in the partnership ‘Stay Safe Booklet’ was a highlight of the year and has enabled the charity to be seen as a credible community safety partner and with the charity’s information being seen through an additional outlet.

The 2018 Annual Neighbourhood Awards event took place at David Lloyds Leisure Club in North Hull on Wednesday 24^th October.  The event was attended by approximately 150 guests and the team organised for stands of interest to be present from The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Love Your Street, Environmental Management Solutions, Humberside Police Community Safety Volunteers, Humberside Fire and Rescue and Hull CCG 2020 Champions.

PC Andy Allen addressed the audience talking about the NN cycle crime reduction partnership with Humberside Police and then Sara Clayton, Environmental Improvement Team Leader from Love your Street explained to the attendees about the ‘love your street’ project and how to become involved.

For 2018 the team organised for the Cllr Steven Wilson Deputy Lord Mayor, Debbie Rossenburg High Sheriff of Hull and East Riding, Adil Khan from Humberside Police, Bredon Smurthwaite of KCOM (sponsor), Colin Havercroft Chair of the NN trustees and Sharon Port NN Trustee to present the awards. The winners on the evening were as follows:

Community Group/Association/Watch of the year

Rev Matt Martinson and St John’s Church

Engaging with Younger People

The Warren

Engaging with Older People

North Carr Carers

Community Champion of the Year

Ray Drayton

Neighbourhood Watch Contribution Award

Garden Village Neighbourhood Watch

Boulevard Neighbourhood Watch

Above and Beyond Award

Groundwork

D.A.R.T.S

Neighbourhood Network received funding from KCOM, Rank Community HCDP Activity Grants and Hull Community Safety Partnership to be able to host the event.

2018 saw the appointment of a new trustee Duncan Collins, who had recently retired from a long and successful career with Humberside Police. This appointment increased the trusteeship to five, with a view to increasing this number if we see an opportunity.

Kirsty continued to volunteer for most of the year for the charity, however with the confidence and experience gained from her volunteering role, she secured permanent employment in November and we wish her all the luck in her new job.

The charity finished 2017 with 456 registered member groups, a growth of 27 from the previous December.