Lakenham: Insights
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Conversations from Lakenham analysed for this report
(Note: we no longer have Community Connectors working in Lakenham)Â
Disclaimer : The following reports are not thoughts of any one individual but are the amalgamation of conversations from the community.
The data suggests that accessibility and inclusivity are not top priorities for the people of Lakenham. There are a few assets in Lakenham that support those with accessibility requirements, such as Webster Court and the New Hope Christian Centre. However, the data is very limited, so it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions. It is important to note that the data is self-reported, so it is possible that some people with accessibility requirements did not feel comfortable sharing their experiences. The data also does not take into account the needs of people with different types of disabilities. Overall, the data suggests that there is a need for more research into the accessibility and inclusivity needs of the people of Lakenham.Â
Lakenham is a community with a strong sense of community. People in Lakenham enjoy good relationships with their neighbors and there are a good variety of activities in the area. However, there are some gaps in the range of activities and organisations available, and some people are not aware of all the opportunities that are available. Additionally, the community is still recovering from the impact of COVID-19, and some people are still reluctant to participate in activities due to concerns about the virus. Overall, Lakenham is a community with a lot to offer.
The cost of living crisis is having a real impact on Lakenham residents, with many expressing concern about their ability to afford food and other essentials. There are a small number of local assets that are providing support, but it is expected that these will start to feel increased pressure as the crisis worsens. The main impact in Lakenham currently seems to be around food, and with this being the biggest immediate concern, it is important to make the most of the opening of the social supermarket on Hall Road and to raise awareness of this service and to make it as accessible as possible. Other sources of food should also be looked at, such as food growing projects. This data was from conversations held between February and June 2022, before the cost of living crisis worsened, so it must be looked at in that context as early indicators of how people will be impacted. The cost of living crisis is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences, and it is important to continue to monitor the situation in Lakenham and other communities to ensure that those who are most vulnerable are supported. The social supermarket on Hall Road is a valuable asset that can help to alleviate some of the pressure on residents who are struggling to afford food. Food growing projects can provide a sustainable source of food for local communities, and these projects can also help to build community spirit and provide a sense of purpose for those who are involved. The cost of living crisis is likely to continue to worsen in the coming months, and it is important to be prepared for this and to put in place measures to support those who are most vulnerable.
The data on crime and ASB in Lakenham shows that drug use and dealing is a major problem in the area. The problem is widespread and appears to be getting worse. There are few identifiable assets in the area to tackle these issues. Community activity can help to ease antisocial behaviour. More resources should be put into tackling the drug problem in Lakenham. The main limitation with this data is that it is based on self-reported information, which may not be accurate. Overall, the data suggests that Lakenham seems to have a large, widespread and growing drug problem. This problem is having a negative impact on the community and needs to be addressed. More resources should be put into tackling the problem, and community activity should be encouraged.
The 100 day challenge had a positive impact on people's opinions of education and learning in Lakenham. There is a need for more workshops on DIY, mending, and other skills that could help people save money. There is also a need for more courses that improve skills for employment. The data was heavily skewed by the 100 day challenge, but it still suggests that education and learning are important to residents. Overall, the data suggests that there is a need for more educational and learning opportunities in Lakenham. The 100 day challenge was a positive step, but it is clear that there is still more work to be done.
Health and wellbeing is important to people of Lakenham. There are a number of assets in the neighbourhood that can support people's health and wellbeing, such as outdoor spaces, infrastructure, and community groups. However, there are also a number of barriers that need to be addressed, such as social isolation, homelessness, and childcare.The data suggests that people in Lakenham are aware of the link between physical and mental health. They are also aware of the benefits of participating in activities that promote their health and wellbeing. However, there are a number of barriers that prevent people from participating in these activities, such as childcare, health issues, and injury.The data also suggests that there is a need to develop more group-led activities in Lakenham. This would help to address the barriers that prevent people from participating in activities on their own. It would also help to build a sense of community and support.Overall, the data indicates that there is a need to do more to support the health and wellbeing of people in Lakenham. This could be done by addressing the barriers that prevent people from participating in activities, and by developing more group-led activities.
Lakenham residents are very positive about their natural and built environment. They particularly value the abundance of green spaces, including Jubilee Park, Netherwood Woods, and the woodland behind County Hall. Many residents are involved in the management, maintenance, and improvement of these green spaces. They also enjoy gardening, both in community gardens and in their own private gardens.However, the main deficit-based comments are about cleanliness, particularly litter. More needs to be done around litter in the area, and the focus should be on the more significant mess which stops people from using areas – dogs mess, sharps, bodily fluids.This data set is fairly broad and, with the exception of young people, fairly indicative of the area. There will be a likely small skew towards positive views of the natural environment as many conversations are taking place with people in that space but this skew would not account for the significant value and percentage of asset-based comments that we have seen in this section.
The data on the needs of older people in Lakenham is limited. However, the data that is available suggests that older people are active and enjoy participating in a variety of activities. There is one community asset that is specific to older people, which is the New Hope Christian Centre's day center for elderly people. Some residents expressed how they enjoyed looking after their grandchildren. One resident specifically identified that there should be more activities for older people. However, it is difficult to establish if this is a widespread issue. An analysis of the activities within the community theme would help give us a better understanding of this. We should consider removing this as a category and seeking to do a cross-sectional analysis on other sections to give us a better understanding of how different age groups value, and are affected by, different themes. The dataset for this theme is very small, so we shouldn't take too many conclusions about any patterns. We should consider doing a cross-sectional analysis based on age group to give us a better overview of how themes impact and are valued by different age groups.
There are a wide variety of activites available for Parents and Children in Lakenham including Stay and play sessions at Harford Community Centre and Little Lions,Family gardening sessions at Jubilee Park,Get Me Out of Those Four Walls and Family learning groups at Hewett School. Some parents would like to see more activities available in the area, particularly activities that are suitable for very young children and their older siblings. There is also a need for more safe, community focused warm spaces where parents and children can come together, especially during the winter months.
Lakenham lacks strong youth provision. The limited number of activities available are often led by churches and are not always suitable for all young people. This lack of activities is having a negative impact on young people, leading to vandalism, substance abuse, and other anti-social behavior. Efforts should be made to support the development of accessible and safe youth-led spaces in Lakenham. The data is limited by the fact that it is based on interviews with adults, not young people themselves. It is important to ensure that young people have a voice in the development of new programs and services.