A Month of Many Firsts!

The Business Connectors Programme sees secondees working in local communities to create new partnerships and mobilise resources and support into the voluntary and community sector.  Here Kay Horne talks about her first month as a Connector.

My first visit to Tottenham...
After returning from a restful holiday, on my first visit to Tottenham I had my first meeting with a "youth wielding machete", closely followed by his mate "youth wielding poker"! I have to say, after this rather unnerving experience, I have found the area to be very welcoming.

Unfortunately they have suffered hard from the fear factor. A pharmacist I saw this week told me he cannot get a locum to come to his shop so he can have a day off and any that do come in will only do so in twos. There are still visible signs of the riot with burnt down buildings, including Aldi and the Post Office, but this is juxtaposed with "I Love Tottenham" flags on every lamppost and signs in every shop window. I carry an "I Love Tottenham" bag and badge which has helped me "blend in" to the area quite well, as people think I'm therefore a local.

My first Sir...
And then like buses, two came along at once! I met Sir William Castell who set up the High Street Fund. He attended a Tottenham Traders Partnership meeting with David Lammy MP and representatives for Haringey Council to understand why only 50% of businesses in Tottenham had made a claim. I committed to produce a newsletter quickly to aid communication about the closing date of the fund on the 31st October. This communication was created with the aim to break down barriers between businesses, the Council and community groups, and spread information. The newsletter also aimed to dispel the myths that had stopped businesses claiming – such as they could only claim from the fund if they suffered actual damage and had a crime number whereas in fact they could apply for loss of trade as the High Road was closed for a week. I also suggested we hit the street and visited those 110 businesses that had not claimed to ensure they did. This has been a great way for me to build trust with businesses in the High Road. They were initially wary of who I was but then they learnt I wasn't from the council and my role was to support them to potentially get up to £10K (£2K first phase, potential for £8k second phase) and by the time I left they were smiling and shaking my hand!

My second Sir was Sir Tony Hawkhead, CEO of Groundworks, who I met in Middlesbrough. He was a great contact to make and is a real ambassador for Business Connectors.

My First Prince...
I got the great privilege to meet HRH The Prince of Wales in Middlesbrough attending an event coordinated by Craig Warkman, Red Car Business Connector from Greggs. After managing to curtsy without fault I found HRH charming and very interested in our role. In his speech opening a shop unit which allowed entrepreneurs to set up business for reduced rates, he "launched" the Business Connector role. I wore my "I Love Tottenham" badge and he spoke to me at length before committing to come back to Tottenham to walk the High Road with me! (He originally visited 4 days after the riots).

My first football match...
I got to attend a Spurs match which was fab. We were in the second row opposite Harry Rednapp and Spurs won 1-0. I have since met the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to see what they are doing in the area and have two actions to try to link their projects with businesses. I will also be attending a youth entrepreneur event on 14th November led by Jermaine Defoe.

My first Kebab...
Last night I had my first kebab... Not doner! And attended an evening meeting in Tottenham with the traders.  I seem to be working more hours than usual but am doing the groundwork and getting my face seen in the area, which will hopefully reap dividends in future.

My first TV appearance...
OK not done it yet... but I am meeting a local Tottenham boy who runs his own TV company and is filming a series about community in Tottenham post the riots.

Finally, in summary...
What went well...all of the above really. I am meeting many SMEs and providing support, which is building trust. I’m making close links with the Tottenham Traders Partnership, and Haringey Council which has been useful in gaining an understanding of the area and what is already in the pipeline.  I’m getting to see the great work going on in Middlesbrough and Red Car and am networking with key 3rd sector individuals who are allowing me to see how I can really make a difference through my role in Tottenham.

What a great development opportunity for the right person. Business Connectors need to be able to engage on many different levels with people who initially can be quite hostile. They need to be able to work alone and have the strength of character to be able to be persistent to get meetings with people. I am still loving the role and have a real sense of purpose.