Who are we?
Strood Community Project is an initiative of two neighbouring Parishes in the town of Strood, Rochester, Kent.

What are the aims of Strood Community Project?
Our aims are to empower the local community and help improve fundamental issues such as education, safety, increased employment, life skills and lower crime.

What have we done?
Strood Community Project has been working in the community since December 2006. Since then we have:

• Recruited twelve volunteers and put four of those through an IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) level 3 training programme
• Seen over 350 individuals from the local area who have requested help with improvements to their employability. We have given information, advice, made referrals to specialist agencies and training courses, helped with CVs and, in every instance, provided a listening ear. We have also paid for ad hoc items which can remove huge barriers to their progress to employability (ie. bus fares to courses, child care whilst on courses, new clothes for an interview), Most clients have returned for further meetings as part of their journey to inclusion to the labour market.
• Secured funding for and established a computer skills training centre based at St Francis of Assisi church to offer accredited training.
• Delivered regular training courses: introductory and certified 1st Aid courses, Food hygiene, CLAIT computer courses and confidence building. We have weekly English and Maths courses for those wishing to improve their skills and periodically run Computer Building for Beginners courses.
• Published, biannually, a community newsletter circulated to 10,000 homes.
• Supported the empowerment of the community by assisting in the development of a local residents group (Strood South Community Group), the restarting of a group to conserve a local area of green space (Friends of Rede Common), and established a walking group (Strood Walking Group).
• Jointly managed Strood Community Fun Day (see item on the Strood Community News).
• Completed a 2000 home neighbourhood survey around the local area to inform the future development of the Project.
• Established a Drop-in Advice Centre on Strood High Street in March 2010 supported by a charity shop.
• Become a key local player in the delivery of the Future Jobs Fund by providing 8 jobs for local young people who would otherwise be out of work.
• Commenced a five year contract to deliver the Flexible New Deal for those who have been unemployed for 12 months and more. Paid on results, the organisation will work to move customers back into full time permanent employment.

Why have we achieved so much so quickly?

1. The local community has responded positively seeing it as ‘the first time anything for Strood has been based in Strood.’
2. There is so much need in existence.
3. Very supportive church leaders and generally supportive congregations
4. Significant start-up funds (European and RDA with some from CIS) channelled through Medway Council.
5. God’s blessing on our endeavours.

What next?
Watch this space!

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