Biography
The Knowledge Inclusion Project
What is KIP?
KIP is the Knowledge Inclusion Project.
-KIP works across the inner west neighbourhoods of Newcastle
-Its aim is to provide information and research support to community groups and local residents
-It was set up in response to concerns expressed by local residents about not having access to independent sources of good information about what’s happening in the area.
-It is part of the West End Community Development Consortium.
KIP’s job is to link with local organisations and with residents to do community research and pass on information about changes affecting people’s lives. There are four main areas of work:
Research: Doing research on issues of concern to local residents and community groups in the west end. The choice of issues to be investigated depends on what’s identified locally. Subjects researched during 2005/6 included: Academies, Asylum seekers and refugees, Community cohesion, and Benwell Library. If you want to suggest a topic that might be useful to research, let us know.
Information: Disseminating information and knowledge to local residents and organisations. KIP produces a series of briefing papers and information sheets on topics of local relevance. These can be accessed through this website. We also take information out to groups and venues – please let us know if you are interested. KIP has recently started a series of discussion meetings called “Space for Debate” in order to promote discussion and debate about current changes affecting the area.
Training and support: Providing research training and support to local residents, volunteers and workers. KIP has developed an accredited training course in research skills and can also offer bespoke training and advice to local groups and organisations. Contact us if you are interested in this.
Consultation: Carrying out and supporting consultation with local residents. KIP carries out consultation on current issues in order to ensure that residents’ views are fed into planning and decision-making processes. Subjects on which community consultation was undertaken during 2005/6 included: Play and youth provision, and the Academy proposal. We can also help other agencies to contact local people, but our policy is that consultation should not be exploitative but should be of benefit to participants.
KIP is part of the West End Community Development Consortium - www.wecdc.org
Get in touch: If you want to receive copies of our reports and briefing papers, all you have to do is register with KIP either by emailing us at kip@thestrategy.org or writing to us at: KIP, 447 Armstrong Road, Scotswood, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6HS
