The ODT Community Consultation 2008
The ODT Community Consultation 2008 has adopted a broad definition of ‘the community’ to include local residents, voluntary and community sector organisations, BME groups, council cabinet members, various statutory stakeholders, and the business community. The findings of the Community Consultation during the months of May – August 2008 echoes the voices of local people. The comprehensive study was devised and conducted independently by the ODT Steering Group and was targeted at local residents and stakeholders. People of all ages were consulted, making sure that the views and opinions were representative. The findings of this survey along with the results of the consultation group meetings have very much framed the way the new Osmani Centre will look, feel, accommodate, involve local residents and meet the needs of our community.
Presented below is a summary of the main findings:
- Total number of people surveyed: 80 people.
- Gender: 30 Males, 50 females.
- Area of residence of sample: 82% Tower Hamlets residents, 18% Out of Borough.
- Ethnic origin of sample: 95% Bangladeshi and 5% other. (No other ethnicity was ticked)
- Religion: 99% Muslim and 1% other.
- 22% of the people surveyed (sample) said that they had a disability. (Examples of Disabilities: Hearing, speech or visual impairments, co-ordination, dexterity or mobility, mental health, learning disabilities and others)
The sample was asked about whether they knew about the Osmani Centre (OC) proposals to build a new community centre. The results are summarised below:
How much, if anything, do you know about the Osmani Centre (OC) proposals to build a new community centre?
Great Deal 21
Fair Amount 17
Little 15
Heard of it, but know nothing about it 8
Never Heard of it 7
Don't Know 12
The sample was then asked about whether they were in favour of, or opposed to, the new centre being built. The results are summarised below:
Are you in favour of, or opposed to, the new centre being built?
Favour 62
Opposed 2
Don’t Know 16
- Almost all the people surveyed said that the £4 million estimated total cost of building the new centre will be money well spent and they are in favour of the amount being used to build the new centre.
- An astonishing 70% of the sample said that they were in favour of having other small business / office accommodation being made available from within the new centre. 12% of people opposed to the idea and a further 18% said that they were not sure.
- 56% of the sample said that more inter-generational work with parents and children would enhance the services within the new centre.
- 70% of the sample said that a new ‘Sign Board’ would give the new Osmani Centre more of an identity. (What they mean is having a focal point when people enter into the new building)
- 95% of the sample said that by having a state of the art centre, more users (especially young people) will be attracted to come to the new centre.
- 95% of the sample identified ‘Day time activities and services’ as a key requirement for the new Osmani Centre, while 45% recognised that there should be provision for disabled people made available from within the new centre and 25% of the sample felt that more rooms (space) is needed in order to provide more activities.