Funding for Harlesden Canalside activation

In partnership with Brent Council and the Canals & Rivers Trust (CRT), we have completed work to improve the Harlesden Canalside. This include:

• Widening the towpath

• A new amphitheatre

• New planting and seating

• Improved canoe facilities for the Sharks Canoe Club

• Dedicated spaces for local community organisations to moor their narrow boats (which includes a mooring for the John Lyon (JL) which is operated by The Sharks and YBF).

Both the Sharks and YBF have been fundamental to OPDC’s Harlesden Canalside improvement project. They are both part of the current steering board, who work closely with the team to contribute to designing the space ensuring the space continues to be used by all communities in Brent.

OPDC has continued to support both organisation through various funding schemes such as the Great Place Scheme and Small Grants. This has allowed us to have access to their wide range of stakeholders they work with including young people in the area who have previously not engaged with OPDC.

Ahead of our launch event in May, which will celebrate the completed construction of Harlesden Canalside, OPDC will be working closely with both organisations and the steering board to ensure that the space is available to be used by all communities.

The Sharks and YBF both applied for funding through our oversubscribed small grants programme in January 2024. We were unable to fund them through this programme due to the volume of applications. Therefore, we have looked at other ways to fund the high-quality projects that will support our strategic objectives.

Both proposals supported the strategic aims of the small grants programme including:

• Supporting the cost of-living crisis

• Benefiting young people, up to the age of 21

• Projects that focus on health and wellbeing 

YBF and the Sharks have been working closely alongside OPDC and CRT to start activation within the space, including holding their own launch over the easter holidays. They have both proposed a number of activities to ensure that the community can enjoy the space and it is used to its full potential.

Over the Easter weekend YBF, The Sharks, CRT, QPR and other organisations came together to hold a soft launch of the John Lyon Boat and the community initiatives for the Harlesden Canalside. At the launch over 134 people attended, with 54 people taking part on the water kayaking.

Feedback from those who attended the launch was gathered, specifically on how they want to use the John Lyon Boat to activate the canal. Suggestions from that feedback included:

• A base to learn kayaking and canoeing

• An opportunity for all to use the waterways safety

• An opportunity to find out more about the environment.

The proposed projects will complement the ongoing discussions with the Harlesden Canalside steering board, who are working closely with the community coordinator to design a programme of events. 

The launch event will take place on the 31st of May, there will be a number of various activities including:

• Charity Race: which will include Garden Studios and McVities (both on the steering group), enabling better staff engagement and getting feedback from them on the improvements. It is hoped that more local businesses will take part as well.

• Walking tours of the improvements and local area

• Kayaking and canoeing lessons detailed in the Sharks proposals

We will also seek feedback with key stakeholders/attendees to understand what events they would like to see along the canal and to gain feedback on further improvements in the area. The event will allow us to build stronger relationships with those taking part. 

Confirmed stakeholders attending include:

• Young Brent Foundation • London Borough of Brent

• Canal and Rivers Trust

• Jason Roberts Foundation

• Brent health matters

• United borders

• Standard road market

• The sharks

• Garden studios • Mcvities

• OPDC

• Recollective

There are two proposals included within this decision. Both YBF and the Sharks applied for funding with their individual proposals set out below.

Young Brent Foundation

• The Young Brent Foundation aims to improve outcomes for children and young people in disadvantaged communities, particularly in STEM and social action.

• Using the YBF Narrowboat (JLC) as a floating classroom at Harlesden Canalside, coordinated by LB Brent, LB Ealing, and John Lyons Charity (JLC) YBF will run tailored programmes supporting the Greener Communities Youth Ambassador Programme.

• Through working in partnerships and engagement with existing stakeholders, they aim to address the STEM skills gap and promote environmental awareness. Their previous project, Brent Goes Wild, exemplified the approach.

• They will be targeting underrepresented youth to cultivate curiosity and interest in STEM. The proposed Brent Goes Green and Blue model aims to continue this approach by engaging young people, amplifying local projects, and collaborating with community partners like The Sharks Canoe Club and Canal & River Trust and in doing so will activated the Harlesden Canalside.

The Sharks

• The proposal aims to host funded activities on the canal at Harlesden Canalside to increase participation and engagement.

• These activities include canoeing and kayaking for people of all ages, with a focus on school-age participants. Additionally, open canoes are available for family activities, promoting inclusivity and participation among families.

• The stable and user-friendly nature of the canoes facilitates involvement, with a particular emphasis on encouraging adults to enhance their wellbeing and fitness through tailored sessions addressing their specific needs and preferences.

The objectives of both project fits within the feedback received (1.9) at the soft launch event over the easter period and supports the activation of the Canalside.

Young Brent Foundation 

The project aims to increase the number of community mentors who provide both online and offline support to young people. This will enable them to express their thoughts on green and blue spaces in their communities using the community moorings at Harlesden Canalside as a base. 

The project will hold individual and group sessions with young people on the Canalside, to empower them to set and achieve goals related to social action and greener communities in Brent and along the Canal. 

The project targets are:

• 600 children and young people annually

• 180 families annually

• 36 weekend programmes annually

• Goals for youth feeling heard, appreciated, listened to, respected, and valued, as well as encouraging creativity and experimentation.

The Sharks 

The project aims to increase canal activity at Harlesden Canalside, offering canoeing and kayaking for all ages, with a focus on school-age participants. It will provide affordable activities with no upfront or regular payments, ensuring accessibility during financial hardship. 

A total of five free activity days and regular coaching sessions, totalling around 250 and 800 participants respectively are planned. Additionally, 36 sessions with Harlesden Primary School and other organisations will engage approximately 60 additional young people. Launch event 3.6 The launch event is planned for the 31st May 2024, this will act as celebration of the work done and to start the activation of the space.

The event is being coproduced with the community coordinator and the steering board. The event will include various activities as outlined above but we will need to help organise and purchase items ahead of the event, these include:

• Printing of leaflets, photos, feedback materials and directional signage for the event

• Supply of food/drinks for attendees from local businesses

• Hire of any equipment needed for the day such as tables, chairs, gazebos.

• Payment for Mahogany Carnival to undertake a walk from Harlesden town centre to the Canalside in carnival costumes

• Contribution to young people volunteering with united borders and the filming of the event.

• Purchasing of equipment for the clean-up prior to the event and after the event including gloves, bin bags, litter pickers, gardening equipment etc

• Payment for car park suspension in car park to accommodate the united borders double decker bus and standard road market stalls

• Payments for suppliers on the day such as face painters, exercise activity (TBC), other activities for children and bird watching walks

• Transport for materials to and from the Canalside including the gazebo, tables, chairs and easels 

The day will include an opportunity to:

• Find out about the works that have been undertaken

• Give feedback on what people would like to see happen along the canal

• Engage with other key stakeholders in the area

• Take part in the kayaking/canoeing

• Celebrate the Canalside and its importance to the area

• Engage in activities for free during halt term week for all ages

Both of the proposed projects fit within the aims of the Small Grants, EDI and updated engagement strategy. They will do this through:

• To cultivate a unified vision for the area, through this work we will be able to engage different groups particularly young people, who are a main focus of the updated engagement strategy.

• Building and nurturing connections / relationship – funding these projects will help us continue to develop our relationship further with YBF and the Sharks. This will also help us connect with different demographics, ages and those who may not have engaged with us to date.

• Planning for a welcoming, inclusive place – The activation of the Canalside will create a welcoming and inclusive place for all to use and help us gain feedback on further changes that maybe required to enhance this important asset in OPDC.

• Championing and celebrating the area’s rich diversity- Through the activation we are celebrating the variety of uses along the canal and championing the waterways.

• Ensure diverse and inclusive representation – through their networks both organisations will work with a diverse and inclusive audience.

The projects will be closely monitored by OPDC’s communications and engagement team – ensuring that the key outcomes are achieved.

YBF will provide quarterly progress updates to OPDC, including any necessary project adjustments and associated risks.

They'll present project structure and data via a highlight dashboard on a quarterly basis to the communications and engagement team. Additionally, they'll produce a final impact at the end of the project report measuring outputs, outcomes, and the overall impact on local children, young people, and families.

The Sharks will maintain attendance records for activities, events, and regular sessions, documenting participant progress and ongoing involvement. With permission, they'll keep photographic records and compile information for reports.

Risks and issues

Under Section 149 of the Quality Act 2010, as a public authority, OPDC must have ‘due regard’ to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation as well as to the need to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.12 

The projects aim to engage with a diverse audience including those who share protected characteristics under the Equality act. As part of the project, both YBF and The Sharks monitor this data to ensure that participation for their activities is inclusive, diverse and includes groups that can traditionally be underrepresented.

The programmes will be advertised through a variety of methods, including the use of their networks which are extensive. We will also advertise the opportunities through our newsletters, website and social media. We will also use our relationships with stakeholders to advertise this and will utilise the Harlesden Steering Board and community coordinator. All printed materials will follow the GLA’s accessibility guidelines and be available in Braille or translated into other languages.

Data protection

All activities and events will adhere to the GDPR regulations. 

Safeguarding

Safeguarding measures will be in place to protect individual through the Sharks and YBG risk assessments.

No one involved in the preparation or clearance of this form, or its substantive proposal, has any conflicts of interests. 

Expenditure of £18,000 will be funded from the 2024/25 CEO, Communications and Engagement Budget. 

Payment will be split across two WBS lines: £6,000 to support the Young Brent Foundation and £7,000 to support the Sharks will be funded from Small Grants (PA.0120.002) while up to £5,000 for the preparation and launch of the Harlesden Canalside event will be funded from events (PA.0120.001). 

All associated costs will be approved by the Director of Communications and Engagement and will be closely monitored at all times.