Since the outset, Community Development Workers have helped make the plans for Big Local North Cleethorpes happen.
When? since 2012 when the programme started until January 2025 when the programme closed
Who?
John Mooney, Development Worker, 2013-2023
Karl Elliott, supporting development work since 2016 and Development Worker 2023-2025
Jasmin Flint, Youth Development Worker
Development Workers
One of the first decisions made by the earliest partnership committee for Big Local North Cleethorpes (back in 2012) was that some of the startup funding was needed to pay for a Development Worker – John Mooney – to carry out the work and delivery actions on behalf of the voluntary committee.
John Mooney was a VANEL employee, and his part-time role supporting Big Local North Cleethorpes then extended and continued throughout the life of the Big Local programme right up to his retirement in 2023.
John worked part-time but focused on supporting both the management of the Big Local partnership committee itself, but also on delivery of projects on behalf of the programme. Whilst a resident led, voluntary partnership committee was useful to ensure that Big Local North Cleethorpes was routed in the community it served, it was also not the most efficient to rely on the volunteers to deliver every idea and project. So having a funded Development Worker has throughout made delivery of the programme much easier.
John was one of the longest serving Development Workers in the UK at the time of his retirement and the committee has been very grateful for all his efforts and contributions.
Karl Elliot – also employed by VANEL, had been supporting the Big Local programme in the background for many years and then from 2019 alongside John. When John retired in 2023, Karl took over as lead, part-time Development Worker for the programme up until the conclusion in January 2025.
Over the years, funding has also been invested in other Youth Development Worker roles – primarily Jasmin Flint.
The success of the whole Big Local North Cleethorpes programme over the duration has been in no small part down to the use of funded Development Workers and the commitment from the partnership committee to work closely with the Workers for strong programme delivery.
Thank you John
John Mooney began supporting Big Local North Cleethorpes right through from the start until his retirement in 2023. Across the UK, John was probably one of the longest in post Development Workers with any of the 150 Big Local areas. At his retirement John received a letter of recognition of his long term support from Matt Leach, CEO of Local Trust.
A big thank you to John from the Chair and committee of Big Local North Cleethorpes; VANEL – our LTO; and all the partners who John worked hard to support over the nearly 12 years of the programme.
From Karl
This has been quite a project. I’ve personally been involved with or managed hundreds of funded projects over the years, and none have had the length and flexibility of Big Local. A three year project is normally considered ‘long’. So, to have at least ten years to make a difference is unique. Hats off to National Lottery and Local Trust for their vision and commitment as far back as 2010.
It’s been amazing to be involved with Big Local – and I’ve been hands-on for around eight years. But wrapping up the project and putting together all the legacy materials (for this website, film, book and event) has shown me just how much Big Local has achieved over the years.
And it’s not just about all the big visible projects that remain – the Pavilion, a ramp, 82 Grimsby Road or urban artworks. Many projects that have finished had a lifetime that impacted many local people – Moon on the Water and CYC The Hangout Youth Group for example.
But many of our projects were more invisible. Our “safe and well” checks that helped dozens of local people stay safe. Our scams talks and KOPS programme and safety equipment handouts that reached probably hundreds of vulnerable households. Our workshops and family events and community feasts and litter picks and green route walks that got the community engaged. And I’ll never forget being referred a family with three kids who after lockdown were trying to all share one mobile phone to do their online homework. We managed to donate them a couple of computers to give the kids a proper way to get online. Who knows how much easier that made their education at the time for such a simple investment from Big Local.
It’s been great to work with so many organisations and individuals to make a collective impact on a community. And it’s been good to feel part of a supportive national movement with around 150 Big Locals around the UK who came together at regular national conferences.
It’s a shame it can’t go on forever, but it’s been great to be involved. Much of the legacy of Big Local remains and I hope people will read this retrospective of the programme and both be impressed but also perhaps empowered to do something themselves for their community.
Karl
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
John Mooney was Development Worker from the outset of the programme around 2012 until his retirement in 2023. John was also an employee of Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire (VANEL) as Big Local itself was unable to enter into employment contracts.
Karl Elliott supported John during the early parts of the Big Local programme and took over as Development Worker from 2023 after John’s retirement. Karl can still be contacted at VANEL.
Jasmin Flint was employed by Capacity Buildings Ltd on behalf of Big Local North Cleethorpes for a number of years leading on our youth work and running CYC The Hangout.
Other youth development workers have been in place temporarily over the years – a particular thanks to Dan and Lydia.