As you may already be aware, the Vital Communities project will come to an end in March 2010. To bring the Vital Communities research study up to date, we now need your help!
Please take the time to complete  the Vital Communities Survey 2010 for all our families and community members  The survey is available for download on the right-hand side of this webpage under publications.  Completed surveys should be emailed to Susan.Potter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.  Alternatively, you can complete our on-line survey via the external link in the right-hand column.

Vital Communities has two essential strands. Firstly, a vibrant programme of creative activities aimed at primary-aged children, their families and wider communities in nine identified locations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Secondly, the only longitudinal research study to measure the qualitative and quantitative impact of a creative programme upon individuals and communities. Vital Communities is therefore not just innovative, it is leading edge!

Vital Communities tracks 360 families (nine active groups and three control groups). We have followed these families and their communities through the five year research period. Participant groups have been selected to represent the breadth of social conditions of the sub-region including for instance areas of rural isolation, small market towns, urban fringe and locations already identified for regeneration.

Themes of the research include the effect of arts activities on the creative economy, healthy communities and vital neighbourhoods. This will involve monitoring:

• impact of high quality arts provision on children, their carers and wider family groups
• local community participation and engagement with cultural activities
• community perceptions of the long term impact and value of the project 
• impact upon the local economy, community development and regeneration

Vital Communities is working closely with the primary schools in each of the locations, taking creative activities to our cohort children and then extending this out to their families and to the wider communities.

Vital Communities is happening in the following locations:

Eastfield, Peterborough – St Thomas More Primary School
Fenland Villages, Fenland – Wisbech St Mary and Payne Primary Schools
Fulbourn, South Cambs. – Fulbourn Primary School
High Barns, East Cambs. – St Mary's Junior School Ramsey, Hunts -  Ramsey Junior School
St Neots, Hunts – Winhills Primary Schools
Sawston, South Cambs. – The Bellbird Primary School
Sutton, South Cambs. – Sutton Primary School
Trumpington, Cambridge City – Fawcett Primary School

Vital Communities is resourced by the seven local authorities of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Arts Council England East.

If you would like to support this project and/or would like further details, please contact:

Susan Potter,
Project Manager (Job Share)
Vital Communities
Tel: 01223 715477
Email: susan.potter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
 
Karen Thomas
Project Manager (Job Share)
Vital Communities
Tel: 01223 715475
Email:karen.thomas@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Hannah Ellis
Project Administrator
Vital Communities
Tel: 01223 715478
Email: hannah.ellis@cambridgeshire.gov.uk