The document discusses how Talk About Local (TAL) empowers communities to create local websites that provide information on community issues and events. TAL works with communities to establish free or low-cost websites using tools like WordPress that are maintained by volunteers. These websites have helped communities in areas like Kings Cross, Digbeth, and Harringay by providing a forum for local discussion, challenging authorities, and redefining neighborhoods in a positive light. TAL also partners with organizations to train local residents to create over 150 community sites across England and give people confidence to speak about their local areas online.

1. William Perrin TAL Empowered communities fighting decay Innovate to Save Workshop Sessions House Lecture Theatre Maidstone, Kent 18 December 2009 William Perrin - william@talkaboutlocal.org Talk About Local (West Midlands) Ltd http://talkaboutlocal.org

3. Abandoned cars and weekly arson Bingfield Park, Rufford Street 2002 Gas cylinders often in cars for extra ooomph Pics – Mark Bailey

4. Stolen moped Grand Prixs c2002 Bingfield Park Kings Cross Most Saturdays when Arsenal at home End with traditional moped bonfire Pics – Mark Bailey

5. The ‘Crackavan’ Rufford Street c2002 Pics – Mark Bailey

7. Caledonian Ward Safer Neighbourhood Panel North King Cross Environmental Taskforce West Area Committee West Area Planning Committee CYP Management committee Kings Cross Development Forum Gifford, Rufford and Randells Residents Association Team Cally Sparkplug Management Committee Planning Applications (dozens) ....but found huge information burden mostly from council and local public services We used the web to streamline all this Got stuck in to these local exercises over several years........ ‘ Strategic plans’ - many

8. www.kingscrossenvironment.com over 700 articles Four volunteer writers – aged 40-65 Small number of authors Campaigns, information, wildlife, events etc Important part of wider regeneration – crime down, streets cleaner, public services more responsive

9. £1 million for community under S106 Web-led campaign drove people into traditional comms channels required for statutory processes Out-manoeuvred Network Rail

10. Translate council planning documents into locally relevant language 400 people per day

11. Stoke-on-Trent www.pitsnpots.co.uk Campaigning, challenging style Reflects local frustration at political scene 3 writers, 30,000 comments on local politics Wordpress site £20 a month

12. www.digbeth.org Digbeth gritty industrial area of South B’ham Arts, events, positive stories Digbeth is Good redefined image of Digbeth on line Costs - £10/month Wordpress blog

13. Team of 5 people 400 pv a day Thousands of articles Village population 500 Wordpress.com C£10/month

14. www.harringayonline.com 2,000 members Harringay Town and Green Lanes Chatty informal feel Wide range of local issues £15 month

15. Very small town ning Chatty informal feel Wide range of local issues Over 50 members Free

16. Kent has rich civic subculture online in some areas – mainly Thanet

18. http://Kingtonblackboard.org UK online centre – Marches Access Point Started August 2009 with TAL Rural town life and news Wordpress site

19. http://W14london.ning.com Deprived area of West London Started August 2009 – with TAL and local NDC Local discussion and information Nearly 200 members already Ning.com site – cost £zero

20. http://letstalkb8.ning.com Late October 2009 from TAL session Evolution Centre, Washwood Heath, Birmingham

22. Want talk about local in your area? Short, simple process 1 Get in touch william@talkaboutlocal.org, info@talkaboutlocal.org 2 Work together to identify training outlet/approach – ideally a uk online or similar centre on the ground 3 We train trainers who get grant of £1,000 reach out to 20 or so participants 4 Participants create websites, TAL and trainers support them http://talkaboutlocal.org