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Background to PESP

- producing and disseminating relevant information via themed factsheets, presentations, media output and web content.

- delivering workshops for community groups, and public sector bodies, on topical issues as well as around the core themes of Participation and Engagement.

- providing direct support to those groups with particular needs around e.g. sustainability, governance, organisational development.

- identifying and confronting barriers for the hard-to-reach in our communities.

- devising opportunities for networking, sharing of best practice and of course celebrating the all too often under-valued contribution made by our sector.

These activity areas are not exhaustive and it is at the heart of PESP to be needs-led - in ways that enhance participation, create purposeful engagement and develop associated skills. PESP is essentially a hands-on, practical project that will act as an extension to the valuable work long since carried out by North-West Community Network .

It is based on a foundation of solid partnership, underpinned by the principles and practices of collaborative working and genuine user involvement.

After recent and forthcoming structural changes in many areas of public service, local and regional authorities, allied to the challenges presented by the financial climate, it is hard to imagine a more appropriate time for an initiative such as PESP.

The PESP team is already linking up with a growing number of groups from across the North-West. You are warmly encouraged to contact Gabrielle and Martin as of now to discuss what kind of support might be available to your group or the community you serve.

During the life of the project, referral to PESP will be mostly informal and geared towards building a relationship with your group or association. How this develops will vary according to the needs presented and the emphasis will always be on building your knowledge, confidence and capacity to deal with the challenges you face.

This three year project will culminate in a showcase conference allowing groups to highlight their achievements through their involvement in PESP.

Launch of PESP

The North West Community Network (NWCN) launched its Big Lottery funded Participation Engagement & Skills Project (PESP) on 24 th March. Over 70 guests from the C&V and Public sectors attended and were treated to a mix of music, drama and inspirational reflections.

Eamonn Baker, the Network chairperson and MC for the event, introduced the two PESP Officers, Gabrielle Quinn and Martin Mc Crystal, who presented an outlined of the project.

They explained that people and communities will be supported in becoming better informed and more closely engaged in the decisions that have a real impact on everyday life, through individual mentoring, training and information workshops and the development of networking support groups.

The Project Officers used the event to launch a series of factsheets / how to guides and a workshop schedule for the coming months. Factsheet themes included advice on the May Elections , Managing Volunteers and What Is Charitable Status . Upcoming workshops will include Promoting Your Organisation , Lobbying & Influencing and The Changing Environment (Funding/Legislation/Networking ).

James King, a well known drama enthusiast, led fellow performers in the delivery of a memorable piece based on the theme ‘ the voice of the people and their struggle to be heard '.

Eamonn Baker introduced the Key Note Speaker, Inez McCormack who spoke of her interest in the project and her experiences with groups from North Belfast, across Northern Ireland and indeed internationally.

Inez delivered an inspirational reflection, speaking about groups labelled as ‘hard to reach', when in reality it is our responsibility to go out and find those in need, that change shouldn't be made ‘to' people but ‘with' them and that it is our responsibility to look around and see who isn't in the room and invite them to the table.'

To receive a copy of the PESP factsheets or to sign up for the first PESP workshop, just email or ring the officers (Gabrielle & Martin), who will be delighted to hear form you.

Tel: 028 7136 8811

Email: gabrielle@nwcn.org or mob no: 07595748009

Email: nuala@nwcn.org or mob no: 07543298322