The project name is 96kTalkBack. 96k refers to the population of Great Yarmouth (approximate) and TalkBack refers to the two way communication tool that we have built. It is an internet based project designed to ‘reach’ as many people within the Borough of Great Yarmouth as possible whilst giving ‘ownership’ of the concept to those same people. 96kTalkBack is available to all who live, work or study in the Borough of Great Yarmouth.

96kTalkBack is a community development tool that will proactively seek the views/concerns of local people and give a public platform for them. We place a particular emphasis on those who, for whatever reason, do not currently get involved. The project is designed to hold those in power publicly accountable for their actions/inactions and to promote the needs of the most vulnerable.

We are intending to be available as a single point of access for all residents to, and for, all service providers in the Borough. We will provide news, information, job vacancies, good news stories and engagement opportunities. We also intend that the delivery of this should be done intelligently and in a fun way so that people have a reason other than need to come back.

96kTalkBack will not duplicate the work of other agencies, nor does it seek to replace that work. It was designed to support the work of whatever system of local government that came to Great Yarmouth – unitary status or neighbourhood management. It has been developed to be a tool that can be used by agencies, services, councillors etc to engage with ‘the community’ and for ‘the community’ to gain access to the decision making process, either by direct involvement or by publicly holding providers to account.

Further, 96kTalkBack will become part of a nationwide network of community development organizations all working to promote the voice of the ‘grass roots’. This network is being driven by Peoples Voice Media which has developed the concept of using new media for community development purposes.

Project Aims:

1 – Enhance individual wellbeing

2 – Increase individual aspiration

3 – Increase public accountability

4 – Widen public involvement in decision making

5 – Improve links between service providers

6 – Better deliver and increase relevance of services

7 – Promote cost efficiency/saving

8 – Increase social wellbeing

9 – Raise public expectation for environment

10 – Promote the development and retention of skills

11 – Increase social wealth