This group have provided 10 events throughout the year in the areas that have provided interest and activities for the relevant target audience. The events allow the opportunity for SCOG members to engage with community members, develop neighbourhood plans and recruit action groups. These action groups are trained and empowered to represent the community and attract additional funding to support identified initiatives.

Since the group formed in September of last year they have made great progress in achieving their aims, and to date their activities have included:
 

Organised a number of fun days on hard to reach estates in Southend
 

Created a ‘Grant a wish’ programme for residents to fulfil ambitions or dreams they may not have otherwise had the chance or financial means to do so. This has included providing a family with free firework display tickets, a signed football and tickets for young people to see the local team, Southend United.
 

Formation of a community cooking club in another hard to reach area in partnership with the Peoples Health Trust.
 

There are a number of issues within our area, community tension, a large rise in BME population, unemployment, a pocket of social housing and deprivation. A lack of aspiration and a large number of families stuck in a cycle of benefit dependency.