A Story of Working Differently: The Cinderford Chronicles

22nd August 2024 | Lizzie Homer | Forest of Dean, Place-based working

Cinderford map | Place based approaches | we can move

Ah, Cinderford—nestled in the heart of the Forest of Dean, where the trees are tall, the air is fresh, and the community spirit runs deep. While the town faces real challenges, including significant levels of deprivation, it’s also a place full of passion, resilience, and people who truly care about their neighbours. When Sport England’s Place-Based funding came along, it gave us the opportunity to work alongside this community and transform challenges into positive action, harnessing the strengths that make Cinderford unique.

Why Cinderford?

First things first—why Cinderford? This isn’t just any town. It’s a place where people look out for each other, where organisations work tirelessly to serve the community, and where the love for local heritage runs deep. But it’s also a place that could use a little boost—especially when it comes to getting people moving. With 27% of the local population not hitting the recommended 30 minutes of heart-pumping activity a day, we knew something had to be done. Cue the place-based approach!

Building Bridges (and Drinking Coffee)

The cornerstone of our work? Relationships. And let me tell you, we’ve had more cups of coffee in Cinderford’s cafes than we can count! From the Local Authority to schools, faith organisations to voluntary groups—everyone had a seat at the table (and a cup in hand). Our goal was simple: to understand the unique contributions of each partner and figure out how we could work together to make Cinderford an even better place to live, work, and play.

Strength Workshops: Unleashing the Power of the People

In January and in April, we held Strength-Based Workshops, and no, these weren’t about pumping iron! We brought together local organisations to talk about how focusing on strengths, rather than problems, could be a game-changer. We chatted about Asset-Based Community Development—a fancy term for a simple concept: building on what’s already great about Cinderford.

We discussed everything from:

Focusing on abilities and potential, not problems and deficits.
Discovering the hidden gems, or ‘assets,’ within the community.
Putting community members in the driver’s seat when it comes to decision-making.
Building relationships and creating opportunities.

A range of local heroes joined us, including Forest Voluntary Action Forum, Wyldwood, Caring for Communities and People, Cinderford Town Council, Police Community Support Officers, Two Rivers Housing, Forest of Dean District Council, Forestry England and so many more!

Beat the Street: The Game that Got Cinderford Moving

One thing we learned quickly: Cinderford folks didn’t always know what was available right on their doorstep. Enter Beat the Street—a fun, interactive game designed to get people exploring their town. With over 1,300 players tapping Beat Boxes around Cinderford, Littledean, Ruspidge, and Soudley, it’s safe to say the community caught the bug. Participants walked, ran, or wheeled over 10,000 miles across Cinderford—a remarkable achievement that highlighted just how much people were enjoying the game.

Schools were in fierce competition, teams were racking up points, and the prizes? Oh, they were worth the sweat—ranging from Forestry England Memberships to hospitality tickets at the local Rugby Club. It wasn’t just about winning, though. People were discovering new parts of their town and, more importantly, connecting with each other.

Group Model Building: Mapping Out a Healthier Future

Ever tried to untangle a knot? That’s kind of what understanding the factors affecting health and wellbeing in Cinderford felt like. But with Group Model Building, we turned that tangle into a tapestry. Through a series of small and large workshops, we brought together partners to discuss the complex systems at play. Over 60 people joined us to map out the local landscape, identify gaps, and co-design actions that could make a real difference.

We were essentially building a map of the system—one with interconnected factors that influence people’s health and wellbeing. The factors we explored included opportunities to be active, disposable income, employment opportunities, and even knowledge of how to cook healthily. And as you can imagine, that’s just scratching the surface!

Our goal? To create a collaborative effort that positively impacts these intertwined factors, helping people live their healthiest, happiest lives. With the enthusiasm and energy we’ve seen from our partners, we’re confident we’re on the right track.

The Adventure Continues…

So, what’s next for Cinderford? We’re just getting started. With the foundation we’ve built and the partnerships we’ve formed, the future is looking bright—and, dare we say, a little more active. There’s still work to be done, but with the spirit of Cinderford behind us, we know we can achieve great things.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in the Cinderford Chronicles—where community, creativity, and a good cup of coffee continue to make all the difference.