ROC Merseyside
After the launch of ROC Merseyside at the Echo Arena in June of 2009, the road forward has been dotted with ideas and movement towards various ROC projects. In the past 12 months, 4 ROC Conversations have been held across Merseyside: Maghull, West & East Wirral, and Haydock. Out of these Conversations, many links have been made between police, churches, and the civic authorities.
Last evening, 15th December 2010, around 35 people gathered in Huyton at the Apostolic Church to discuss ideas for 2011. With the local police and local citizens in attendance, the idea of holding a ROC Conversations in Huyton in early 2011 was widely accepted and anticipated. Huyton's history has been known for violence and social issues; in 2001 it was considered to have some of the worst levels of deprivation in the country. Representatives from other areas of Merseyside, such as Maghull and Wirral also came to learn more about ROC, specifically in hopes of opening ROC Cafés as a way to combat anti-social behaviour and reach out to disadvantaged youth in their communities.
Debra Green shared about the value of multi-agency working, likening it to a jigsaw puzzle in which every person and organisation represents a different piece of the puzzle. Each person has something unique to offer, such as; expertise, time, a venue, fundraising experience, skills, contacts, knowledge, etc.
"The picture is only complete when every person brings their piece and places it in the right position. This is what community transformation looks like. Quite often people feel that their contribution might be small or insignificant, but if their contribution is missing, there's a gap where it should have been! We want to encourage people to play a vital part and bring what they have to offer for the good of the whole."
Debra Green
National Director
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