ROC Conversation 2024
STOP PRESS
We had an amazing community conversation on the 24th October. Sincere thanks to everyone who came and participated.
We are now compiling a report which we will distribute as soon as possible - after which we will kick off some action groups in an attempt to tackle some of the priority areas that were raised on the evening.
If you would like to get involved, please get in touch
Introduction: A second ROC Conversation
Our local churches are carrying out amazing work in our community and by working in partnership with other organisations the needs of people in Woking can be identified and met. Police and social services to name just two would see a different picture of needs and a ROC Conversation is designed to surface these views. Following the cuts to Woking Council’s budget, working together is now more needed than ever.
What is a ROC Conversation?
A ROC Conversation is a 2hr structured community engagement event that invites members of the community and voluntary organisations to gather and discuss their specific needs, leading to an exploration of practical ways of meeting those needs.
Who will be invited?
All members of the local community: school and youth representatives, church & faith groups, police and fire services, social services, health services, local councillors, MP's, local volunteer groups - anyone with a desire to positively impact the community they live in.
What are the main objectives?
- To connect and engage local community members, volunteers and statutory agencies
- To celebrate all the good things taking place in the community
- To raise awareness of the needs of the community
- To explore possible solutions and resources required to meet current & future needs
- To create a network of people passionate about improving the community they live in
- To identify specific skillsets and resources already in the community
- To reinvigorate the work of the three Action Teams (Youth, Loneliness& Isolation and Mental Health) and develop new projects in the community
Why is it unique?
By bringing together a diverse network of people who care about their community and are passionate about working together to improve their local area, we create something very unique and powerful.
When will it take place & where will it be hosted?
Thursday 24th October 2024 (7:30 to 9:30pm).
At Trinity Methodist Church, Brewery Road, Woking, GU21 4LH.
ROC Conversation #1 March 2020
On 12th March 2020 at 7pm, 185 people gathered at Trinity Methodist Church, Woking to take part in a conversation about the needs of the Woking community.
Events started with a song -performed by Sarah Goddard accompanied by Graham Kirby-Smith. Then the formal start to the proceedings began with David Munro (Police and Crime Commissioner) and Mayor Beryl Hunwicks saying a few words.
First task was to write all the good things happening in Woking on post-it notes and stick them to a large poster.
Debra Green OBE (CEO of Redeeming our Communities, ROC UK) then interviewed some key people. Ian Nicholson and Rosemary Johnson told us about community work run by Woking FC. Ray Morgan (former CEO of Woking BC) reminded us of the need for affordable housing. We were then invited to share our needs by pegging luggage labels to a ‘wishing line’ , yellow labels denoted needs and green labels with offers of help. We ended up with 160 yellow needs labels and 120 green offers labels!
More interviews followed, with Brett Freeman, principal of Woking College, talking passionately about the need to give students a sense of belonging to a community and reminding us of the poor mental health of some students with around 40 giving cause for concern. Inspector Andy Greaves, Woking Police Commander, reminded us of policing concerns such as ‘county lines’ and the targeting of vulnerable young girls. Dr Caroline Baker, CEO of NW Surrey Integrated Care Services then spoke about the issues challenging GPs, including the loneliness of some patients contributing to their poor mental health, and how organisations could help through social prescribing.
This led on to the main heart of the evening, round table discussions of local issues that were of concern to guests. Issues were first identified, and then suggestions made as to how these could be resolved. In total 150 issues were raised, the top three issues being Youth (21), Loneliness and Isolation (20) and Mental Health (17).
Each of the 23 tables were asked to select its priority issue and present it to the gathering. Facilitated by Debra and her husband, Frank, all table reps were interviewed, and people could hear the range of discussions and solutions proposed.
In wrapping up people were asked if they would like to get involved in the next stage of Action Groups of which 75 came forward.
Since 2020 ROC Woking has formed a steering group and been running 3 Action Groups Youth, Loneliness and Isolation and Mental Health.
Developing the spirit of partnership in Woking
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