Neighbourhood Watch Inspiration – a collection of the most innovative work being undertaken by Watch volunteers – has today (17 June) been launched to mark the start of Neighbourhood Watch Week 2019.
The database contains examples of how Neighbourhood Watch groups are changing their communities for the better. In each case, volunteers explain how they developed their project, the impact it had on their community and how they overcame any challenges.
Neighbourhood Watch Inspiration allows users to contact the author of the good practice allowing for fruitful conversations between members across England and Wales.
Neighbourhood Watch Week runs from 17 – 23 June and is focused around the theme of #MoreThanYouExpect. It is hoped that the examples contained within the database will give a broader sense of the impact schemes can have on communities that adopt them.
Robin Newman, Head of Membership and Engagement at the Neighbourhood Watch Network, managed the project with the help of working group made up of Watch coordinators.
“We hope to inspire and enthuse people about what can be achieved through local Neighbourhood Watch schemes”, he said. “Our volunteers are working on projects that deal with, among other things, knife violence and loneliness. Areas not traditionally associated with our organisation but areas in which we can have a huge impact.
“Since starting work at NWN a year ago, I have spoken with dozens of volunteers who have innovative ideas on how to deliver Neighbourhood Watch. We have been learning from this and want to enable other Watches across England and Wales to do the same. Neighbourhood Watch Inspiration is the conversation starter and ideas generator allowing members to develop and improve their schemes.”
The NWN is encouraging its members to submit more examples to Neighbourhood Watch Inspiration by completing an online form. It is hoped that the database will be a cornerstone of learning within the Neighbourhood Watch movement.