Experiencing the natural wonders of the world can conjure up ideas for making a good living, which is both financially viable and environmentally sound. How would you describe the work that DOR-2-DOR completes on your behalf and what specifically were you looking to achieve from the campaigns? The Parish Council produces a community newsletter (entitled “This is Chigwell”) on a quarterly basis. Historically, three of the four editions each year were placed in Chigwell Library and local retail outlets for the community to “pick up”. One edition each year (usually the summer edition) was also hand-delivered to the c. 5,000 households in the Parish. In terms of communications, the Parish Council recognised that there were clear benefits in providing every household with a copy of the newsletter on a regular basis.
Therefore, in 2004, the Parish Council started to work with Dor-2-Dor to ensure that every edition of the newsletter was hand-delivered to all 5,000 households in the Parish. It was anticipated that the newsletter would not only assist in informing the community about local issues, but also promote local democracy, embrace the true spirit of partnership working with parishioners and encourage residents to become further involved with their local Council.
In particular, the newsletter has played a key role over the last twelve months in informing and involving the community in the development of a Parish Plan for Chigwell. The Parish Plan will help determine the future of the local area and identify how it can change and adapt for the better over the next five or so years.
The process of producing the Parish Plan has included identifying local needs and aspirations, highlighting issues and priorities and bringing groups and individuals in the community together to work towards a common goal.
What results have you seen, and do you feel confident enough with the service you received to recommend working with Libby and Clinton from DOR-2-DOR Ilford? The Parish Council has been keen to ensure that the Parish Plan represents the views of the local community and the newsletter, delivered by Dor-2-Dor, has been the main vehicle through which the consultation exercises have been communicated to the local community.
A wide range of views on the draft plan have already been received from local community partners, representatives, businesses and groups. The most recent phase of consultation took place in October this year and included two informal open-day events which took place at the Parish Council Offices. The open-days were designed to make people feel comfortable and members of the public came along to express their views on the draft Parish Plan by posting ideas on the displays boards available on the day.
The Parish Council did publicise these events through individual letters to clubs and groups and a wide poster campaign, but it would be fair to say that the newsletter really got the message across and people coming through the doors to give us their views.”
Kay Canning said:
“The service provided by Dor-2-Dor has always been extremely reliable. Often they have gone out of their way to make sure that the 5,000 households in the Parish receive the newsletter in sufficient time for important community events. The service we receive is very professional, but also extremely personable, we have built a good rapport with Libby and Clinton and know that we can just pick up the phone and the job will get done.”
