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practice Welcome to Norfolk

Welcome to Norfolk

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Web address of the case:

Country of the case:

United Kingdom

City/region:

Norfolk

Posting Date:

28 November 2007

Last Edited Date:

08 August 2008

Author:

Gary Pettengell (Norfolk Police)
Welcome to Norfolk Logogarypett's picture

Type of initiative

  • Network-imgNetwork

Case Abstract

The Welcome to Norfolk website and project aims to increase community engagement and promote the positive aspects of migration, of which there are many. The site aims to offer practical advice to and make it easier for people coming to Norfolk to live, visit or work from overseas. The addition of the online forum now enables anyone from statutory bodies, support groups and the wider community to make contact with each other, to promote their events and services and generally offer help and advice. The site has thousands of visitors from overseas meaning we can make contact with people even before they leave their home countries. It also allows people from overseas to ask questions and seek advice before leaving home The Welcome to Norfolk website helps to dispel any myths or concerns the local community may have regarding their new neighbours and it helps promote understanding and community cohesion.

Description of the case

Domain
Start date - End date
April 2006 (Ongoing)
Date operational
September 2006
Target Users
Any citizen
Target Users Description
Population Norfolk 832,400 mid 2006 figures from National statistics August 2007. Migrant population is estimated to be approximately 100,000 people (exact figures are very difficult to find).
Scope
National
Status
Operation
Language(s)
English | Lithuanian | Polish | Portuguese
Other
Russian

Policy Context and Legal Framework

Project Size and Implementation

Type of initiative
Awareness-raising information
Overall Implementation approach
Public administration
Technology choice
Proprietary technology | Standards-based technology | Open source software | Not applicable/not available
Funding source
Public funding regional | Public funding local | Private sector
Project size
Implementation: €5-15,000
Yearly cost:
€1-49,000

Implementation and Management Approach

The Welcome to Norfolk website went live in September 2006. It is managed by Police Constable Gary Pettengell. The funding is managed by Claire Bailey Diversity officer for the Norfolk Criminal Justice Board.

Technology solution

The technology used in creating the website and forum is HTML, PHP and MySQL. HTML is a very simple language which translates written text into what is viewed on a monitor. This is the standard language used for viewing web pages. PHP is a more advanced type of programming language which is used as server-side scripting and creating dynamic web pages. We decided to use this type as it is open-source and very flexible if updates are to be made. MySQL is an open-source database system which stores all the information from the forum.

State-of-the-art technology (programming) is used for this system as the amount of information that needs to be distributed and the different types of people viewing the information will not be possible by conventional methods.

Impact, innovation and results

Impact

This project has had a very positive impact on migrant communities both in Norfolk and other areas of the UK. It has also received substantial media interest across Europe. It has enabled groups and individuals to promote their community work, projects and events. It was always the intention that it would allow people to make contact with us from overseas before they arrived in Norfolk. This has happened with people enquiring about schooling for their children as well as general enquiries about living in the county.

Although there are a number of Welcome Packs that have been developed across the country none have been web based, or use web forums for dissemination of community information by members for members. The static pages can be replicated in the same format in any language. The site to include PDF files for downloading. This means information/posters for community groups, individuals and businesses can be translated and cost effectively made available to a large number of people. This increases the accessibility of translated materials.

Membership top the forum is free allowing anyone to post information about their services, event or to ask a question. The site also serves as a signposting service
There are opportunities to expand Welcome to Norfolk. It is flexible and dynamic but cost effective. There is interest in corporate sponsorship, this will involve local businesses in building cohesion and developing integrated communities.

We are able to replicate the website format on behalf of other areas upon request. We have the support of our web designer to make the Welcome to Norfolk template available to others at a fraction of the cost of starting from new.

Track record of sharing

We have offered the format to other Criminal Justice Boards who have expressed an interest in developing their own welcome sites. We have supported statutory agencies in editing and translating material into suitable formats for minority communities.

We have worked with Lithuanian Association who have provided feedback on the site layout, content - also working with them to build their organisation to maintain community forums in the future, building on the development of local Lithuanian newsletter.
Examples of other partnership working - site developed working in partnership with businesses and community groups in Great Yarmouth

Working with First Transport services and community groups throughout Norfolk.

Lessons learnt

Lesson 1 - At the start of the project there was no forum on the website. This made the site very static and uninteresting. Adding the forum allowed us to contact people and for people to contact us not only from the local community but from across Europe and around the world.

Lesson 2 - Carefully editing printed material can keep translation cost to a minimum.

Lesson 3 - The Welcome to Norfolk sites content is the work of one person. I would advise anyone starting this sort of project to set up a group to help run and contribute to the sites content. Ideally some of these people will be from the communities you are trying to help.

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