Our Basildon Our Aims
"For me it is very simple - Basildon is my home."
Angela Smith MP
"On a car journey around town I am pleased to see how many green places we pass. I have lived in other places where this is not the case and I am grateful I now live in Basildon."
Sue Randle, Secretary of CHASE
Our Basildon is a creative project, run by an independent community organisation helping to drive positive change in Basildon.
What we hope to do
Originally the project was known as the Basildon Heritage Trail and the 12km self guided Trail remains the central focus, however the new ‘Our Basildon’ title refers to a much more inclusive project with many aims that include to-
- work with and for the community to develop renewed interest in the local environment; to engender a ‘sense of place’.
- increase awareness of the built heritage, the open spaces- woodlands and grassland with their rich biodiversity.
- increase peoples’ individual and collective aspirations along with a supportive atmosphere to raise educational achievement and fulfilment.
- provide opportunities for the community to experience, and participate in, heritage, culture and creativity in the broadest sense.
- increase tourism to the area and raise awareness of the unique green spaces that Basildon has to offer across the whole district.
- inspire the development of a programme of creative initiatives that will engage local people and boost economic regeneration.
- develop the Trail to make it economically sustainable.
- foster an environment in which people’s health and well being can be improved and maintained.
- develop the Trail concept and promote it as an exemplar project for any of the other 31 New Towns.
How we will do this
As our aims grow we need to structure our delivery of the project in all its various forms, including
- working in conjunction with the Primary Schools to extend the original photography & writing project; to develop and deliver a full educational and cultural programme, in addition helping schools to meet the DCMS guidelines for ‘pathways to learning’ outlined in ‘Creative Britain…’
- using the opening celebration of the ‘Our Basildon’ Heritage Trail and at other times during the year, to engage with people through events tailored for celebration and participation.
- delivering events, publicity material and manufactured goods as part of the ‘Our Basildon' project development to the highest standards and quality, ensuring a tangible ‘feel good’ factor.
- working with all local service agencies, ensuring that communication reaches the decision makers at local, county and regional level.
- working with community partners to address local social and health issues through creative and health based activities linked to the ‘Our Basildon’ project.
- involving local industry in the ‘Our Basildon’ project including partnership working, sponsorship of certain events and/or by direct funding or advertising.
- using council generated, community or business events to further the promotion and creative development of the ‘Our Basildon’ project.
- running creative projects working with visual and performing artists to create exhibitions/performances based on the interpretation of the heritage of the area, linking in with secondary schools, further education and businesses as appropriate.
- working within the Cultural Olympiad to extend the benefits of the ‘Our Basildon’ project and address the sporting heritage of the area, including input into the new ‘Sporting Village’.
- using new & innovative thinking to develop a sustainable creative project that uses the heritage of the area, i.e. learning about and understanding the past to inspire future development and prosperity.
- working with the creative industries in Basildon.
- creating a sustainable legacy for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Compiled by Lisa Hawker
Heritage Animateur/Project Manager October 2008
This is a working document that may change subject to the Project’s development