Dundee’s Open Doors provision was led by the local authority’s Community Empowerment team, which sits in the wider CLD team, within the council’s Neighbourhood Services department. The Open Doors Programme invited communities in Dundee into different community spaces. This allowed people to meet others and enjoy activities in a warm and welcoming environment.

Addressing Community Needs

In 2022, Dundee City Council and its partners developed a response to the cost of living crisis. This response included:

• a community food network
• the open doors programme
• distribution of warm clothes and blankets
• an advice services network
• improved communications and accessibility

About the Open Doors Programme

The Open Doors Programme awarded over £50,000 of Community Regeneration Funding to participating groups. The programme was designed to provide low cost or free activities within local communities. Where possible, hot drinks and meals were also provided. The venues were accessible and open to all without the need for referral. This helped to reduce potential stigma and ensure that people felt welcome and comfortable.

The council's Community Empowerment Team co-ordinated the response in each of Dundee's electoral wards. This involved bringing together a range of partners in cost of living sub-groups. The groups mapped provision and carried out a needs assessment of the areas. This helped to minimise the potential for gaps in provision. Activities in community centres were organised in partnership with local management groups.

The team helped local groups to recruit new volunteers, sharing resources or relevant accredited training, such as food hygiene qualifications. They applied for and distributed funding to local groups interested in participating. This reduced the bureaucracy of the application process and the burden on the groups involved. It also ensured that funding was available within 48 hours if needed.

The Community Empowerment Team also co-ordinated local publicity for the programme. This ensured that local people were aware that community facilities were open to all. All staff and volunteers were aware of the Dignity Principles. Tea, coffee and newspapers were available to create welcoming spaces. This encouraged people to come and stay for as long as they needed.

The impact of the programme

It was clear from the evaluation activities that poverty was indiscriminate. It affected men, women, children, older people, younger people and those in employment. It was also experienced by those living in areas generally considered to be more affluent. One Barnhill participant commented:

“Well, they've got a place to meet and they didnae hae that before. There was nothing like that up here. We didnae hae any Foodbank up here and this is the big thing up here, I think. Fortunate that some of us are fine, but there is some people that are really finding it hard.” Barnhill Blethers participant

Themes

A common theme emerging from evaluations was the sense of solidarity that attending Open Doors and other low-cost food provision provided.

“Most of us are in the same situation, living on our own. We get together and talk about stuff, things we are maybe struggling with, and we all help each other. The staff and volunteers are great. Free meals really help me with my shopping bills, I don’t need to buy so much so I have more money left for the meter.” Rock Solid participant

Interviewees and survey respondents reported that the presentation and branding significantly impacted the appeal of the programme. They repeatedly reported the importance of the welcoming environment in alleviating a sense of stigma. The welcome and atmosphere was also mentioned by 24% of survey respondents.

“They're very welcoming and, and nobody feels judged when they go in. That's the main thing. Not being judged going and cause some people will be like well “Why should I go in? It’s like I'm begging for food. But no, they don't judge, just hand you your food, there's no questions asked if you've not got money.” Life Gate 11 participant

“I'm staying in a homeless hostel and it's good to have somewhere positive and local where I feel welcome.” Just Bee survey participant

The impact of open doors video

Evaluating the programme

A qualitative and participatory approach was used to ensure that the perspectives of stakeholders and community members were recognised and valued.

Stage 1: Mapping of provision offered on the website and other provision considered to be Open Doors.

Stage 2: Provider survey (online). (35 respondents)

Stage 3: Participant surveys (122 respondents)

Stage 4: Interviews with service users (24 people interviewed)

Four providers also sent in case studies.

You can read an executive summary of the Open Doors Programme by the Dundee CLD Service on Prezi Design.

Next Steps

From the evaluation findings several recommendations have been formed:

Differentiate between 'warm spaces' and 'open doors'

Recommendations include the creation of

• warm spaces that are not targeted, don’t require additional funding, and are open and welcoming to all
• Open Doors Hubs across the city that are accessible to communities: these should provide food, advice services, and signposting as a minimum
• a directory of free activities, classes, and places to visit

2. Principles for Open Doors provision

The principles for open doors provision include:

• the primary focus of Open Doors services should be to alleviate the effects of poverty
• services should operate weekly and be accessible, recovery friendly and free or low cost: they should provide food and offer wraparound services such as welfare rights
• Open Doors should support all age groups and people within the community
• Open Doors should ensure activity is well spaced and open during the day, in the evening, and at weekends: timings of activities need to be responsive to the target group’s needs
• Open Doors should increase the capacity of communities to respond to the cost of living challenges
• where existing provision has been re-badged as Open Doors, this must be widely promoted, and new participants must be welcome

Further recommendations included to:

• develop a city-wide response to the expressed desire for this initiative to continue.
• target promotion to reach as many people as possible.
• further evidence the impact of Open Doors with data

Reflections

“The main thing is trying to build a community of practice including communities themselves to respond to emerging needs in your community. If CLD workers are doing all the delivery, we aren't going to be able to meet need and could end up duplicating or provision or not filling the gaps.

The other thing is to have a starting point of dignity. Non-CLD colleagues started with the laudable aim of keeping people warm and money in people's pockets but there needs to be opportunities for learning, sociability and feeling part of the community.” CLD Manager

Further Information

For further information about the Open Doors Programme please contact the CLD Manager for Communities, Safety and Protection Nicky MacCrimmon