Background

The Game in Bristol was funded as part of a range of activities being undertaken across Europe as part of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The focus of the Game was on tackling the lack of jobs in Bristol. The timing of the Game was particularly pertinent, given the new welfare reform policy of the government and growing problems of unemployment throughout the UK. The Game was arranged with the support of Bristol City Council and a range of employment agencies from around the city. Players included employment strategists from Bristol City Council, representatives of Jobcentre Plus and other employment agencies, and unemployed people from a range of demographics, including single parents and people with disabilities.

The Game was played at the Southville Centre in Bristol, with the focus of the Game being on the whole city.

Objectives

The overall aim of the Game was to create the best possible ideas to tackle unemployment in Bristol. The Game was played over two days, with the future defined as 2015.

Winning idea

Compass Village North

The winning idea was for the development of the sustainable development of housing, community farmland and local amenities in an area of green space (250 acres), the future of which is currently open to public consultation. The space is situated between Stoke Park and Lockleaze. The latter is an area characterised by high levels of long-term unemployment, or lack of jobs.
The team’s idea was for the development of the first of four Compass Villages to be situated in the North, East, South and West of the City.

Compass Village North would be the pilot. 

The project would involve:

- The transfer of assets owned by Bristol City Council (Romney House – an underused school building) to the community

- Training local unemployed people to build and live in their own eco homes

- The development of local amenities, such as a garage, nursery and hairdresser, that would provide sites to train local residents

- Information, advice and guidance for residents that wanted to use the skills they learnt in the Compass Village to find employment/set up businesses elsewhere

- A community farm that would produce food for the community

- A truffle farm to ensure financial sustainability

Winning ideas from the other teams

Bridging Bristol
The Green Team’s idea was for the development of a scheme whereby unemployed people would be supported back into employment via a network of mentors who would support people on their journey back to work. The mentors would also put those they are assisting in touch with a network of volunteers in the city who would be able to suggest relevant opportunities, such as training courses.

Bristol Connect
The Blue Team’s idea was to give unemployed people a handheld device (like an iphone, but with limited functions, i.e. you cannot call or text) that would provide the benefit claimant with information about vacancies, and through which the individual could apply for jobs. The device would not be compulsory. It was hoped that this would reduce the time that individuals had to spend in Jobcentre Plus offices, and encourage a more interactive approach to job seeking. It would also have a ‘social networking’ function, enabling unemployed people to share ideas.

Neighbourhood Hubs
The main idea of the Red team was to develop a series of connected community centres where people could receive employment support and other associated services such as childcare.