2. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL BE SOMEWHERE THAT MY VOICE IS HEARD AND ACTED UPON The vision We all have reliable ways to find out what’s happening locally. We know where to go to have our questions answered or share our views. When we want to, we’re able to influence decision makers and plans for our community. Which means: • As residents, we want to know where to go to have our questions answered. Whether it’s a question about our housing management, healthcare, council tax, or whatever else we need to know more clearly so that we can get the right information or support. And it’s not just knowing where to go – but that when we get through we aren’t just left on hold on the phone for hours! • We also want to see better communication across Thames Ward. There is a lot of great stuff going on already but often we only hear about it when it’s too late! We want to bring back a local newspaper that is distributed to all homes, as well as better updates digitally or on social media so we’re always kept in the loop and can get involved more in local projects. • It’s important to us that our opinions are taken into account for the changes that affect us locally. Whether it’s the council or BRL – we want to be involved more often in making decisions and setting the agenda, and for changes that are made to be fed back to us too, not just consulted as a oneoff. BRL will help to make change happen through activities including: • Working with local people to ensure the Community Interest Company (CIC) responsible for estate management responds to residents’ needs
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• Ensuring residents are trained and upskilled to help shape, run and influence the Community Interest Company • A community newsletter that is co-produced with residents • Community Conversation Time events cohosted by residents • BRL’s Community Partnership Offer, which commits to a series of projects and programmes that aim to strengthen the ways that local people can shape and lead life across Thames Ward • New street furniture and notice boards that include places to find out and share local information
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• A website, Thames Talk, that allows residents to find out local news and information
Short term indicators of change: • Number of residents engaging with the CIC • Number of residents who have received CIC training • Number of residents receiving community newsletter • Number of residents taking part in Community Conversation Time events • Community Partnership Offer shared externally • Amount of new street furniture installed • Satisfaction with community newsletter Long term indicators of change More residents will: • Feel they can influence decisions affecting their local area • Regularly volunteer or help out local groups, clubs or organisations • Register their own community interest companies
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