Evolve Estates’ Post

Living in one of the most deprived areas of Bristol, and indeed England, is sometimes a challenge. When I finished secondary school, my teachers were naming the people who'd achieved big and went to uni. I heard under 10 names in the schools history. From my year alone I know 10. Myself included. And although that doesn't seem like a big achievement, for people growing up in Hartcliffe and Withywood it was a talking point. People didn't go to Uni. In June 2022, I was inspired by my children to try and make a change. Spacemakers Bristol was run down, and needed some TLC. And they pointed out that I was one of the original Young People - so shouldn't I be the one to make the change. (Check out the Spacemakers website and socials if you are not aware of the journey) Having met with some inspirational local people - some amazing Bristol City Council workers from the Parks and Community Development team - I subsequently chaired various meeting with like minded people. This led to a dozen or so of us working towards a survey to help make a change in the community, based off of the answers given by local people. A little over 2 years from starting this, and 18 months after our first community plan meeting - on Friday 1st November 2024 the Ignite Plan Community Survey was released. With the correct people, working together, we can make Hartcliffe and Withywood a better place. For anyone here from the area, please feel free to concrete thwu survey at the following link; https://lnkd.in/eVsubv9Q Every entry recieved before 24 Nov 2024 will be entered into a prize draw for £200. Just in time for Christmas. For anyone who is not from the area, just take from this that a child's influence can have a huge impact. And just because society says you cannot achieve, it doesn't mean you won't. Hayley Swift Kerry Bailes Vladi Stanchev #bristol #community #communitydevelopmentbristol #deprived #change

I've tried several times to post a copy of the letter Helen sent to the council but it failed (which was obviously with her permission). We both agree that the Carnarvon Terrace proposals are not accessible for the community to access (she asked for copies she could study and was denied). We applaud the plan for a community hub and for the location but the words in the proposal fail to state how the hopes will be fulfilled. The hope for disabled parking (not in what feels unsafe multi storey). The inappropriate location of social housing that would only benefit a very small number of people. Will there be just a branch of Essex university or will it be truly integrated (we have witnessed on repeat how services mainly based elsewhere have not been fully integrated, Tendring centre, diagnostic centre for example) Giving open talks to residents of Clacton on what it finds in it's studies and vice versa from the community? Concerns about costs of adult education creating exclusion for a considerable part of the population. Concerns around costs and accessibility of the café Advertising space for the innumerable voluntary organisations. Concerns about the lack of involvement of current library staff in the proposal who don't seem to know what's going on there even though they know most about what is most used in the library. Concerns around the loss of museum space for the local history group contradiction in the stated aims for a community hub. provision of shade/rain area outside? lack of affordable suitable rooms for local groups (example Clacton camera club has had to move out to Weeley). Demolition of yet another community building is not levelling up

Wellington County Community, Businesses, Parents, Teachers, and Leaders- I’ve poured my heart into organizing a one-of-a-kind event that tackles one of the biggest issues facing our community—the affordable housing crisis. The Hands On For Housing Showcase Celebration, happening November 8th, brings youth to the forefront of the housing conversation, where their ideas and passion will help shape the future of affordable living for generations to come. This event is not just a celebration—it’s a call to action. We all know how urgent the housing crisis has become. But what’s truly inspiring is that these young students are working hard to create real solutions. At the event, studetns from the Beyond Borders program will share their vision for long-term housing security, and we’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from them about how we can make our communities stronger and more resilient. One of the most exciting parts? We’ll be auctioning off backyard structures built by the students from 4 different high schools as well as youth involved with community organizations, showcasing the importance of skilled trades in the future of affordable housing. These youth have been hands-on in learning valuable trades that will be critical in building the homes of tomorrow. We’ll also have refurbished, second-hand furniture designed by grade 12 interior design students, giving new life to ReStore items that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill. These one-of-a-kind pieces will be up for auction, showing how creativity and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. On top of that, the funds raised will go toward @habitatforhumanityguelphwellington helping more families achieve the dream of affordable homeownership. It’s about building homes, but also building hope and futures. Please join us for this important night—it’s a chance to support change, hear fresh perspectives, and invest in a future where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. Get your tickets and be part of something truly meaningful. Our community needs you!

📣 Help Forest Hill Library Thrive – Support Our Crowdfunder! 📚 📖 Forest Hill Library is more than just a building with books—it’s a vibrant community hub that has stood the test of time and challenges. When we took over its running in 2016, we launched a Crowdfunder and were blown away by the response: over 200 people and businesses came together to raise £10,310 in just under two months. Now, in 2024, the library remains a seven-day service, open from 9am to 7:30pm most days, despite navigating through the COVID pandemic and an energy crisis. Bucking the National Trend While libraries across the UK face declining usage, Forest Hill Library is thriving. Nationally, only 25% of people visited libraries in the past year compared to 35% a decade ago, and book borrowing has fallen by over 25%. Yet here at Forest Hill, our book borrowing numbers are up! In 2013/14, we issued 101,738 books; in 2023/24, that number rose to 104,654—despite being closed for most of January due to a roof issue. We're one of only four libraries in the borough showing an increase, alongside others also run by us—Crofton Park, Sydenham, and Manor House. Loved by Our Community Our April 2023 user survey found 89.7% of respondents rated our service 8/10 or higher, and our Google reviews reflect this community love, with a score of 4.5 out of 5. Whether it’s borrowing books, accessing free Wi-Fi, studying, attending events, or simply finding a warm and welcoming space, the library is here for everyone. Why We Need Your Help Forest Hill Library is not publicly funded. We rely on grants, affordable workspace rentals, and the generosity of our community. Rising costs and the upkeep of this beautiful listed building present ongoing challenges. While we’ve made eco-friendly upgrades like installing LED lights, heating this historic space with its high ceilings, single glazing, and cast-iron radiators is expensive. What Your Support Will Do Every contribution makes a difference. With your help, we can: ⭐ Revamp the children’s library. ⭐ Upgrade our public toilets. ⭐ Expand events and workshops for children and adults. ⭐ Improve digital access for those on the wrong side of the digital divide. Donate today and help us ensure that Forest Hill Library remains a cornerstone of our community! https://lnkd.in/eqDMBFKn

📣 Exciting times ahead for the SAISD community! 🤝 SAISD recently hosted a town hall meeting, providing a platform for the community to voice their opinions and concerns regarding a potential sale of district property on Camaron Street. This meeting marks a significant first step towards understanding the impact such a decision could have on local stakeholders. 🌿 **Community Engagement** The show of community participation at this event was incredibly encouraging. It highlights a collective ownership, reflecting the spirit of collaboration between SAISD and its neighbors. Community voices can play a crucial role in ensuring decisions made are in the best interest of all involved parties. 🔍 **Balancing Options** - For SAISD: The sale of property might signify an opportunity for rejuvenation of facilities or redirected investments towards educational advancements. However, it also brings the challenge of ensuring the long-term welfare of the school environment. - For the Community: Such decisions could mean a change in neighborhood dynamics. It can bring potential economic growth, but might also raise concerns over local heritage preservation and community identity. 💡 **Predictive Insights** Based on this development, we might see SAISD taking additional steps throughout 2024 to involve more stakeholders, ensuring all voices are heard. Expect more discussions, surveys, and perhaps even digital platforms to gather broader community feedback. 💬 **Open Forums: A Crucial Tool** As we move forward, maintaining transparency and open communication channels with the community will be essential. It allows more nuanced understanding and alignment on potential impacts and benefits of such property sales. In essence, the potential sale on Camaron Street symbolizes more than just a real estate transaction. It underscores the importance of community-centric approaches in institutional decision-making processes. Let's keep the dialogue ongoing and continue fostering partnerships that enhance both our educational facilities and the vibrant community that supports them. 🚀🌟 #SAISD #CommunityEngagement #EducationalDevelopment #PropertySale #TownHall #CommunityVoice #CollaborativeDecisionMaking

Thankyou PNGDF at Igam Barracks. Lead by example.🇵🇬 But should we wait for the authorities to take lead in cleaning up our rubbish?? Asking citizens to help keep your town clean can be a great way to promote community engagement and foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Here are some suggestions on how you can ask a citizen to help keep your town clean: 1. Approach them personally: Stop someone you know or meet on the street and have a friendly conversation. Explain how littering affects the community and express your concern about the issue. Ask if they would be willing to help keep the town clean by picking up trash when they see it or participating in a community clean-up event. 2. Use social media: Post a message on your social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, asking citizens to join in the effort to keep the town clean. You can create a hashtag, like #CleanLae, to make it easy for people to share their experiences and photos. 3. Create a flyer or poster: Design an eye-catching flyer or poster that highlights the importance of keeping the town clean. Distribute these in public areas, such as community centers, libraries, or local businesses. 4. Organize a community event: Plan a community event, like a clean-up drive or a "Adopt a Street" program, where citizens can participate and take ownership of keeping their neighborhood clean. Advertise the event through local newspapers, radio, or social media. 5. Reach out to local schools: Engage with local schools and educational institutions to educate students about the importance of keeping the environment clean. Encourage them to participate in clean-up activities or adopt a "Clean School" initiative. Every little bit counts, and together we can make a big difference!" Remember to be friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic when asking citizens for help. Good luck!

From our Friends at DC Office of Planning! We are thrilled to announce the launch of Commemorate DC 2025! Commemorate DC is an initiative that highlights community heritage through public art that brings awareness to local stories, especially those of Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color. This is an opportunity to honor the legacy of DC communities in underutilized public spaces across the District. There are 3 days left to nominate a subject from your community! This can be individuals, groups, events, or other significant elements of DC culture/history and of long-term, historic importance. The subject must also be a person who has been deceased for at least 10 years or an event that occurred at least 10 years ago. Beginning Thursday, January 16, voting will begin for the next two subjects to be honored through our initiative! Key Dates to Remember: Nomination Deadline: Sunday, January 12th Voting Opens: Thursday, January 16th Voting Closes: Thursday, February 6th Subject Announcement: Friday, February 7th Following the announcement of the selected subjects, we’ll host an exciting lineup of events, including historical scavenger hunts, trivia nights, community design workshops, and more to celebrate and engage with our two subject’s stories. While these events take place, the project team will be developing design concepts specific to their assigned subject. These concepts will be periodically shared with the public for informed feedback and guidance. How You Can Participate: Submit Your Nomination: Visit https://lnkd.in/e8ZJN3xh to nominate a subject before this Friday. Vote for Your Favorite: Starting January 16th, visit https://lnkd.in/e8ZJN3xh and cast your vote to determine the next two commemorative subjects. Spread the Word: Share our flyer below, or this email with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors so everyone can join in!

Creating Inclusive Communities at St. Davids City Hall At West Wales Care & Repair, a subsidiary of ateb Group, we believe accessibility is essential for creating inclusive spaces. In partnership with St. Davids City Council, we recently completed the installation of a new access ramp at the City Hall’s Community Zone, ensuring everyone can fully engage in community life. This project, led by Mike and Louis, demonstrates the power of collaboration and shared goals. Simon Mann, Clerk of St. Davids City Council, noted the significant impact this improvement has had, particularly during community events. “We are thrilled with the new ramp which has made a real improvement to our accessibility at the rear of the hall. It’s been really noticeable when we hold coffee mornings how much of a difference it’s made, especially for those that use frames or walking aids.” commented Simon. West Wales Care & Repair’s mission goes beyond building—it’s about Improving Homes, Changing Lives. As part of the ateb Group, we’re proud to make a real difference in communities, one step at a time. If you know someone who would benefit from improved accessibility or would like to find out more about West Wales Care & Repair please visit our website. https://lnkd.in/ekQMSg9M #AccessibilityInBusiness #InclusiveCommunities #CollaborativeEfforts #ImprovingHomesChangingLives #BusinessWithPurpose

April 17: Is It Fair to All Concerned? --submitted by Ellsworth Brown Is it fair to all concerned? No, this is not about our Rotary Club.    Gavin Luter, club member and Director of the University Alliance, and Tim Swadley, Mayor of Stoughton, explained that their combined efforts advanced the Wisconsin Idea as representatives of a program identified as the UniverCity initiative.   The UniverCity initiative trades on two assumptions, first that as strong as a college education is, it is inherently still limited, often to whatever a teacher and classroom can provide; and second, cities and towns in Wisconsin have unmet needs—e.g. analysis, ideas, planning—which they can’t afford and for which they do not have the resources to manage themselves.   Consultants can provide objective viewpoints, cost analysis, and surveys, for example, and selected groups of students can provide these and other services, advancing community development as well as their own skills and teamwork experience. This arrangement is directed as virtually any project that the community selects, fulfilling assistance in whatever way the client—the town or city—has identified: tourism, parks, roadways and crossings, affordable housing, surveys, health and well-being, solutions to the opioid crisis . . . all ideas can be considered.   If you missed our meeting last week, you can watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gWm6Fdfs.

I’m really pleased to announce that we’re launching Give My View across the USA. 🇺🇸 Why ? We’re democratizing community consultation to make better places. No more NIMBY-ism. No more vocal minority rule. Everyone gets a voice in their area. From the comfort of their phone. We will transform community engagement across the real estate sector. And use the power of gamification to engage diverse audiences with the development process in their city. How? We work closely with you to build a premium, unbiased, easy to use survey that reaches those in your target geography. Automatically. With one click analytics. The perfect tool to get thousands of engagement points with your community. We already have over 1.7 MILLION engagement points. And have transformed those insights to actions for amazing placemaking. Who is this for? Anyone who needs to engage with the public en masse. And needs the truth of what a community wants. That could be consultation managers, permitting & entitlement teams, developers, rezoners, land teams, researchers, property managers, city council, planners, transportation teams, project managers, facilities teams and much much more. A lot of incredible people have worked really hard to get us to this point, so it’s cause to celebrate. 🎉 And time to change the face of the market. Need more info - our new site has it: