As part of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhood’s (ICON) commitment to hearing from communities around the country, Baroness Hilary Armstrong (ICON chair), Commissioners and Secretariat are conducting regular visits to inform the Commission’s work.
The Commission’s latest visit took it to Gloucester, where the team were welcomed by local community organisations to witness first-hand their efforts to build neighbourhoods that serve all of Gloucester’s residents.
The day began at Poets’ Corner Food Pantry, where the team met with the volunteers ensuring their local area has access to subsidised or free food. The Pantry provides a warm space and a friendly environment where local residents can be signposted to employment support and other services. The Pantry is based in Podsmead ward, home to around 3,500 residents and ranked in the 2% most deprived areas in England. The estate lacks many basic amenities needed in a neighbourhood of this scale, an issue compounded by low levels of car ownership. Poets’ Corner Food Pantry serves as a vital service for local residents, strengthening community ties and supporting people into long-term solutions.
The team travelled across the Podsmead Ward to Blackbridge Youth, Community and Sports Hub, a project in the final stages of construction. The Commission donned hard hats and hi-vises for a tour of the space, which is set to finish development in April. The Hub will provide activities for young people and high-quality sports facilities for the wider community. The resources will be subsidised for residents of the Podsmead Ward, encouraging young people to participate in community activities and incentivising people to stay active.
Many of Gloucester’s community organisations benefit from funding from Gloucester Services, a resident-led initiative opened in 2007 in partnership with Gloucester Gateway Trust. Through a unique partnership model with Westmorland Family, the services was established to generate sustainable income for local initiatives. The services, which sources produce from the local community, has contributed significantly to job creation and the longevity of local businesses, contributing 3p of every £1 of sales to local organisations. This innovative partnership enables many of Gloucester’s community organisations to run sustainably.
Several of the organisations supported by Gloucester Gateway Trust, along with Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre, joined ICON for an evidence-gathering session, to share experiences of their local neighbourhoods. Overwhelmingly, volunteers and community workers acknowledged how pivotal Gloucester Services had been to strengthening community ties and improving local facilities. However, many still felt that parts of Gloucester lacked the infrastructure or resources to continue expanding and serving residents.
The achievements in Gloucester and contributions from local residents have provided ICON with a fantastic opportunity for learning. The team will reflect on this visit as it develops research to support communities across the country. ICON are grateful to Poets’ Corner Food Pantry, Gloucester Big Local, Podsmead Community Hub, and the volunteers and residents who facilitated this visit.