Last Wednesday, volunteer, Clare Henderson travelled to London to represent BCT Aspire as part of a group of representatives from a variety of community focused organisations operating on Teesside. The visit was organised and supported by Catalyst as part of their efforts to support local groups in effecting positive policy change and local, national and government level.
Her son Paul who lives and works in London but also supports BCT Aspire as a part time volunteer also accompanied Clare. MP for Stockton North Alex Cunningham, also supported the visit.
The purpose of the visit was to meet with the Minister for Civil Society MP Nick Hurd and “inform and persuade” regarding policy affecting local community organisations.
Much was said about the “Big Society” and what we on Teesside and at BCT Aspire see as much talk and little action from those in government able to initiate real structural change that supports community focused organisations taking responsibility for positive change and development at a grass roots level. That is, after all, what the “Big Society” is all about is it not?
“Help not handouts; Community not charity; Responsibility not blame.”
The minister listened to what all of those present, including Paul and Clare representing BCT Aspire had to say about our passion for our communities and the organisation we were there to represent. More importantly we were able to sow seeds about sustainable solutions for support for local organisations.
This was of course only the beginning of a process of continuous engagement with the Minister to keep our ideas and our passion about where we are and what we do on the agenda and part of the policy making process.
The meeting seeded new relationships between the organisations in attendance and put Teesside firmly on the Westminster radar screen. With support from Catalyst, BCT Aspire will keep an open dialogue with MP Nick Hurd as Minster for Civil Society with the aim of instigating positive change that provides practical support to assist community organisations such as BCT Aspire.
