Pride in Place weekly updates

All identified local businesses were emailed the Pride in Place information pack this week, outlining the programme and how they can get involved. Businesses without an email address were flagged for follow‑up by phone or in person.

The team attended mother and toddler groups on 5 March to speak directly with parents and carers, gathering early informal feedback. On the same day, staff joined neighbourhood clean‑ups in Meadow Well and used the opportunity to speak with residents on the street.

All promotional materials—including posters, flyers and banners—were finalised and sent to print.

This week marked a key milestone with the launch of the Pride in Place online engagement hub on 26 February. The hub provides information about the programme and allows residents to share their views and sign up for in‑person events.

On the same day, a dedicated engagement session was held with VCSE organisations working across community development, health and wellbeing, arts, sport, advice, food support and youth services. Organisations discussed pressures on community infrastructure, challenges linked to short‑term funding, and the impact of poverty and isolation.

There was strong support for investment in community buildings, trusted organisations, skilled staff and activities for all ages. VCSE partners emphasised the importance of community‑led approaches and enabling local people to shape and share their own stories. Many organisations expressed interest in staying involved and helping to promote the consultation.

Engagement continued this week with further visits to local businesses and VCSE organisations. These conversations are helping us build early relationships and ensure all parts of the community are aware of the Pride in Place programme.

The team also carried out additional drive‑arounds to deepen our understanding of the area. These visits helped us identify more local strengths, challenges and opportunities to raise awareness of the consultation.

This week we continued early engagement across the Pride in Place funded area. The team visited local businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to introduce the programme and begin initial conversations about local priorities.

We also carried out drive‑arounds of the area to build our understanding of local assets, challenges and opportunities. These visits are helping us identify suitable places for promotional materials and future engagement activity.

On 11 February, all schools within and around the funded area were contacted to raise awareness of Pride in Place and to let them know how they can get involved in the forthcoming consultation.