Phase 1 of the Project: Community Mapping
Mapping ICTs across Redcar and Cleveland
(November 2008 – August 2009)
In the first phase of our project, the Community Research Network undertook a ‘mapping exercise’ to identify and log the number and location of ICT organisations and services in Redcar and Cleveland. The aim of this phase was to provide a wide-scale picture of access to ICTs for community members. The information that we gathered has been entered into a digital map which shows the geographical location of ICT organisations and services and basic information about what is on offer across the region.
Methods
Our research adopted a ‘community mapping’ approach which is defined as ‘local mapping, produced collaboratively, by local people and often incorporating alternative local knowledge’ (Perkins, 2007: 127).
Our community researchers distributed short questionnaires to a wide range of service providers across Redcar and Cleveland.
In total 61 organisations have taken part in our mapping research.
We have engaged with a diverse range of organisations including: ICT-related organisations and businesses such as UK Online centres and Internet cafes; local community centres, village halls and pubs; and organisations from a wide range of sectors including: social care, children’s services, advice and guidance, older people’s services, mental health, learning disabilities, employment, leisure and the youth service.
Our findings
Click here to see our digital map.