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Click here to read the story of Knees Up over the last year...
Why innovate?
Knees Up is a new project for Quaker Social Action. Here, Michael Coyle, trustee, describes why he feels it is important for QSA to be innovative:
Quakers are encouraged to 'live adventurously' and to find ways to use our gifts in the service of the community .
Innovation for QSA it is an integral part of the way we work. It must never be change for its own sake – or a device to secure funds from bodies that insist on a new approach.
East London changes; so we change. The imperative to innovate is as simple as that. We are in an unusual situation as a genuinely independent organisation with few ties to the strategic plans of other bodies – statutory, religious or secular. Our role is one of constant dialogue with our clients. If we are truly listening then we will need to adapt to meet people where they are.
Involvement and Advocacy, Knees Up and the changes in our governance are not innovation for its own sake. They are thoughtful, reasoned responses of the timeless values that underpin the organisation and the rich experience of 140 years to the realities of east London of 2007.
Knees Up
Knees Up exists to empower east London residents to build safe, supportive and sociable communities where change is possible.
From the graffiti wall of a party on Malmesbury Estate, Bow, east London, in August 2007.
Edward Mackay, Knees Up project manager, describes the project he is running:
I'm running this innovative new project in Bromley by Bow. It's a part of Tower Hamlets that has some serious problems but I also think there's lots to celebrate. Knees Up is a project with serious community development objectives. By engaging local people to plan street parties, the project brings people together in a positive and collaborative way. We provide an opportunity to capitalise on the feel good factor generated by the party to ask whethere there are other services they would like to access. Are there gaps in services that they would like to see filled? This involves helping them think about how to go about this, who to join up with, who to lobby, how to get their voice heard and useful forums to join. And then we are working with Living Streets and The Suzy Lamplugh Trust to make some positive interventions to break down fear of crime and improve the environment physically.
Long-term residents feel they have seen the area in which they have lived for years transform beyond recognition and that they've been left behind. Further, the Bengali community can be reluctant to engage, feeling reviled and distrusted nationally and locally. Poverty is a pressing daily reality in these parallel communities and it's all too easy to blame your neighbours for the day in, day our struggle. In this context, what's the point of a street party?
Knees Up plants seeds we hope will flourish when we've moved on from an area. Knees Up is a beginning, not an end. It's a deeply respectful intervenion which is about listening to where people are at, celebrating community, provideing a new perspective and working together to make the best parts of that experience permanent. It's a risky business but the opportunity for positive change is huge.
Uniquely among QSA's projects, Knees Up is delivered in partnership with two other oragnisations. For more information on them and their work, please see below:
Living Streets
Living Streets is a UK-wide charity that promotes improved streets and public spaces for people on foot. Established in 1929 (as the Pedestrians Association) we have grown rapidly in recent years as concerns to improve the public realm and to promote healthy, active lifestyles have risen up the policy agenda.
Our vision is for a nation of living streets, fit for people on foot. Local streets that are worth living in – worth strolling, meeting, shopping, sitting or relaxing in. Streets that are clean and safe for young and old, in village, town, suburb and city.
We have local branches across the UK, local authority members, and corporate supporters. As well as campaigning at a national and local level, we also undertake Community Street Audits on behalf of local authorities, and provide training to traffic engineers and architects. Living Streets is well placed to undertake project work – we currently organise the National Walk to School Campaign, and the London Walkability Project.
For more information on Living Streets, please click here.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust (SLT) is the national charity for personal safety established 20 years ago following the disappearance and presumed murder of Estate Agent Suzy Lamplugh.
The SLT mission is to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety; to provide solutions that effect change in order to help people avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.
SLT works across the UK providing training, conferences, community projects, advice, and guidance on all aspects of personal safety. SLT campaigns for changes to legislation and has successfully led on changes to stalking and minicab legislation. The Trust works closely with government and police forces around the country as well as a diverse range of partner organisations to ensure that our expertise in personal safety is widely available.
For more information on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, please click here.
There are photographs of some Knees Up parties which can be viewed here. More will be added soon.
If you are interested contact Edward Mackay on edwardmackay@qsa.org.uk or 020 8983 9374
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Charity Registration No: 1069157 · Company Registration No: 3524063
