Wecock Farm

Working in partnership to transform a park into a community space for all ages

The Wecock Farm Big Local partnership consulted residents on how to best support their health and wellbeing, and improve community facilities. Residents wanted the park and skate park on Hobby Close Field to be updated as it was in a state of disrepair. After visiting other Big Local areas, the partnership was inspired to be more creative with the space. They decided to completely redevelop it to create a safe, fun and imaginative play area as part of their legacy for Wecock Farm’s current and future residents to enjoy.

The project was delivered in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and Havant Borough Council. Big Local funding contributed £470,000 out of the total £570,000 budget. Havant Borough Council funded drainage works, while Portsmouth City Council supported the tendering and design process and managed the project on behalf of the partnership.

The partnership reflected that their significant financial contribution supported a positive relationship with Portsmouth City Council. It became clear that they needed dedicated support to review and inform the design and specifications to meet residents’ needs. So, the partnership hired a resident as a project coordinator. They liaised directly with the council and contractors, kept the partnership updated, and worked with the architects and council to ensure the project delivered what the community wanted. This helped the development gain momentum, after residents had complained about how long it was taking.

The newly named Phoenix Park opened in 2021 with a community event, attended by local MPs, councillors and an Olympic BMXer who was born in Portsmouth. The park got new signage, new play park equipment for different age groups, a larger skate park, and new green spaces to enjoy and learn about nature.

After the partnership revitalised this local park into an inviting community space, they supported and delivered events there which were popular with residents.

Creating a People’s Shed to increase residents’ skills and wellbeing

The Wecock Farm Big Local partnership had a long relationship with the Acorn Community Centre. They had their office there and hired out spaces for activities such as their yearly pantomime. Though, the partnership reflected more collaborative working between the two groups could have helped to engage more of the community in the activity happening in the centre.

One success was the development of a new woodworking room at the centre. A People’s Shed was suggested to increase social connections, support residents to develop new skills and support mental health. The partnership was inspired by the Men’s Shed model, where neighbours get to know and support each other while making or mending things in a communal shed. Rather than creating a new space, Big Local funding was used for an extension to the Acorn Community Centre at the heart of the area.

It was named the ​‘Acorn People’s Shed’ to remove gendered perceptions as being only for men. The community workshop went on to host woodworking activity, with volunteers supporting people to gain new skills such as building and repairing things for the community, like planters and benches.

Providing local youth services

After consulting Wecock Farm residents, the Big Local partnership wanted to provide young people with activities and support. They funded the youth cafe at the Acorn Community Centre for 5–11 year olds, and commissioned Y, a local youth service, to work with teenagers, providing advice on topics such as drugs and sexual health. The partnership consulted young people during the design and build of the skate park, and worked with the council to make it a space that young people could feel a sense of ownership over and decorate with street art.

Funding young people to raise their aspirations

The Wecock Farm Big Local partnership wanted to give young people opportunities that weren’t available locally, helping to raise their aspirations. The partnership awarded small grants to groups which enabled young people to try new things such as dance classes in Portsmouth and a local drama class. One of the partnership’s lasting legacies was a popular community-run pantomime which attracted hundreds of residents. The show was hosted every January to give families something to look forward to after Christmas.

Tackling social isolation by organising events

The partnership ran a regular calendar of activities to support residents’ wellbeing, particularly that of the many lone parents in the Wecock Big Local area. Many events focused on giving residents access to new experiences, like trips to museums in London and an annual pantomime. Events were a useful way to engage residents with the Big Local partnership while bigger projects like Phoenix Park were being developed.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, the partnership ran community events and activities to support people’s wellbeing. For example, they engaged residents through Facebook to decorate their windows for a Christmas winter wonderland in 2020, making local walks more interesting and helping people to feel connected. The partnership also ran online cooking and craft competitions.

Over time the partnership developed their event planning and management skills, and better understood what would appeal most to the community. They were happy to share this expertise with others. For example, the partnership suggested that the Acorn Community Centre rename a planned ​‘mental health day’ event as a ​‘Wellbeing Fair’ to make it more appealing to the community.

Connecting older residents to tackle social isolation

The partnership wanted to organise events and activities for older residents to meet and connect. They organised Valentine’s Day activities, D Day Tea Dances, and VE Day Commemorations which gave older residents an opportunity to reminisce and connect over shared history. This helped foster new friendships and connections between residents on the estate.