The power of communities and transitioning to active engagement
Charlotte Jordan
During Stage One, Towns had to adapt to the COVID-19 restrictions and develop the Investment Plans remotely. We witnessed a rapid digital transformation because of this, which has transformed many of the communities and places that we live in. We have seen innovative ways that councils and communities adapted and transformed important local relationships and networks.
As the country starts to emerge from lockdown and restrictions, now is the time to harness the power of your communities. This is an exciting time for you and your communities. A connected community can act as a powerful tool for project delivery, and you should plan a wider range of engagement methods that include both online and face-to-face to inform, include and engage.
Engagement is an important part of developing your Business Case. The engagement you carried out for your TIP is already there as a platform for you to build on, and you will have included a forward engagement plan in your TIP, at least in outline form, to help get you started.
The number of people who stand to be involved and engaged will be significant. It may be possible to develop a network of advocates, either through the council or at a project level, who can actively support and promote engagement with their members. By using simple and accessible communications you can actively involve stakeholders. Below are some considerations for you to help bring your projects to life and harness the power of participation.
Bring your projects to life
When did you last communicate to the town? Once Heads of Terms and projects are agreed, you should update your stakeholders via a press release, social media post, or newsletters on the benefits your projects will bring to the town.
Have you reviewed your project stakeholders? A quick refresh and review of your stakeholder mapping will ensure you are reaching the right people, groups, and communities.
Have you designed the project implementation plans? It is important to consider how you reach non-digital or hard-to-reach audiences.
Have you considered online and face-to-face engagement? Now is the time to start planning your engagement methods that will include your stakeholders and amplify your projects.
Have you considered utilising public space? You can do this by hosting outdoor drop-in sessions or via advertising, which can range from posters on public noticeboards to larger scale advertising on public transport.
There are many resources on the website, that provide you with the information to develop Engagement at the Business Case. You can access them here: https://townsfund.org.uk/resources/business-case