The concept of People Zones has been developed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The vision is to grow safer communities by building on strengths, creating connections and empowering everyone to play a role.
Three People Zones have initially been set-up: Bell Foundry; New Parks, and Thringstone & Whitwick in Leicestershire. The aim is to bring local people, organisations and agencies together, to make a positive difference to these areas. An asset based community development approach will guide the People Zone project. It will recognise all the valuable input from local people and organisations who already work hard to improve the wellbeing of the community. Therefore, the first stage is to understand the strengths and unique identity of each neighbourhood by identifying the local assets, connections and ambitions of the people living and working within the Zone. These will provide the solid foundations upon which to build a safer and more resilient community for all.
Our role
To ensure the support and future investment is directed where it will have the most sustainable impact, Mapping for Change has been commissioned to carry out research in the area. Following the asset based community development approach we will engage with the local community to reveal and map the local assets, including those which are less visible, and discover the ideas, ambitions and concerns of local residents. We will achieve this in an inclusive way as possible by using a variety of engagement methods, including online and paper surveys, one-to-one interviews, liaison with community leaders and representatives and interactive workshops with residents.
A Steering Group comprising community representatives will be formed to take the People Zones project forward; continue the communication with local residents and listen to any opportunities and challenges that arise in future.
The findings of our research will be compiled and reported back to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and an online interactive asset map will be made available for the public to access.
For more information about this project or to get involved, please email info@mappingforchange.org.uk.
Related Projects
Putting Ourselves on the Map
Mapping for Change in collaboration with the Humanities Education Centre (HEC) and local specialist on learning and ‘place’ Maggie Hewitt, worked with three schools in Tower Hamlets (Columbia School Community Map, Arnhem Wharf School Community Map and John Scurr School Community Map) to pilot a brand new process in which Year 4 pupils develop personalised maps of their local area with their own likes, memories and views on change.
Breathe Clean - Citizen Science in Tower Hamlets
Breathe Clean will be providing Tower Hamlets residents with the materials & training needed to monitor nitrogen dioxide levels around the places that matter to them. Participants will measure the air quality at a number of locations over a period of six months, to get a more granular picture of the situation in the borough. The data from the Breathe Clean project will be made available on Mapping for Change’s community maps webpage.
Eco21.PL
Funded under the Swiss Block Grant, Mapping for Change in collaboration with the Centre for Training and Personal Development MERITUM, the Cultural Authority City of Gardens and Highways 4 Elements carried out a two year training programme in the Silesia region of Poland.