On Thursday the 29th of October the Private Tenants Forum held the second of their major information events at the Winter Gardens arena hosted by the parent group, Blackpool Residents Federation in partnership with Blackpool Borough Council
Following the success of the first event in April it was hoped that this one would be bigger and better than the first. We were not disappointed.
Over 40 agencies had stands at the event compared with 30 at the last one, and although the day fell in the middle of half term holidays we had over 250 people through the doors.
Among the many different agencies present were Police and crime prevention, Bsafe, Age concern, Trading standards, NHS, Care and repair, and C.A.B who had almost 40 separate enquiries in the few hours of the event.
The event was officially opened by his worshipful the mayor Councillor Norman Hardy who said in his opening speech how much Blackpool needed information events such as these.
Our thanks go out to the many people who went to making this event both successful and fruitful.
Firstly to the many volunteers of the Residents Federation who were meeting and greeting, directing and general dogs bodying throughout the day as well as manning the main Federation stand.
Secondly Chris Wright (Federation) and Fred Barnes (Council) for coordinating most of the event from start to finish.
Thirdly, the staff of the Winter Gardens for all the work they put in helping set it all up and pandering to many small requests on the day from the stall holders, and last but not least the members of the public who responded to the advertising and came along, not only just to look around but to go away having gained a lot of vital information.
Also on the day we had some guests arrive from Merseyside Residents Network who spoke with many of the agencies there and went home with a lot of valuable information to assist them to do a similar event.
All in all a very successful, tiring, but worthwhile day.
An exit survey was carried out in the form of a questionnaire which also included free entry into a draw for a large food hamper.
This was won by Mrs A Zacharias
Below. Chris presenting the hamper to Mrs. Zacharias
Pictures
Just setting up the Federation stand
His Worshipfull the Mayor opening the event
Age Concern
Bsafe
Private sector housing team
Library services
Reassurance plus team
Advice link
Revenue and customs
Exit Survey
The results of the exit survey are as follows:-
Question 1. Where did you hear about the event ?
1 Radio 33%
2. Newspaper 3%
Poster / Flyer 13%
Word of mouth 36%
Other 15%
Question 2. Was the event helpful to you?
Yes 100%
No 0%
Question 3. Would you like to see more events like this ?
Yes 100%
No 0%
Question 4. Where there any stands not here today you would like to see at future events ?
1. Solicitors (2 people)
2Neighbourhood watch (one person)
3. Church groups (one person)
4. Blind society (one person)
5. St Johns Ambulance (one person)
6. Fire safety (2 People)
7. C.P.S.and youth offending team (one person)
How would you mark the event out of 10 ?
10 47%
9 20%
8 24%
7 9%
Average score out of 10 was 9.1