We’re Urban Symbiotics, a company that loves and has built its reputation by developing unique ideas in collaboration with local communities. We’ve been commissioned by the Council’s regeneration organisation, Be First, to create a community vision with local people focused on how to breathe new life into this bustling neighbourhood centre, laying the groundwork for regeneration, investment and future improvements to the area.
A community vision can bring everyone together to consider what’s most important for the area. It’s not about people in distant places making decisions; it’s about the community getting involved, discussing issues, identifying concerns and generating ideas for the Heathway.
There will be heated debate, alongside plenty of laughter, excitement, and great conversation; it’s all part of developing a vision that everyone can look forward to and support. We don’t know what the vision will be yet, that’s down to you. But we know that it will be exciting, unique and capable of bringing about real positive change on the Heathway. Come on…. get involved!
Last month, we successfully presented the project ideas to the community at two events held in the Heathway shopping centre, and we received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and expressions of interest to get involved.
Although funding constraints may prevent us from launching all the projects, a portion of the recent Heathway Levelling up Funding has been allocated to kick-start some of them.
We invite you to take a look at the projects and share your thoughts, priorities, interests, and comments by emailing us on the email address below. As always your comments, support and ideas are welcomed and highly appreciated!
Click here to view the survey results
Rather than selling goods or services, our brightly decorated new store will collect ideas, opinions, and aspirations to develop a community vision for Dagenham Heathway.
The shop now features a beautiful mural created by local artist Susanna Wallis, representing insights from the conversations we've had so far. The shop will also provide the base from which we will start running focus groups and workshops throughout May.
So please drop in on a Thursday to give us your views on the mural and share your ideas for the Heathway over a coffee!
"I hope that my work captures just how lively the community is here," she said. "I've attempted to bring to life some of the themes emerging from the community conversation."
Read more...