A NEW programme of community walkabouts is launching in Redditch, aiming to bring together residents, businesses, and Redditch Borough Council service representatives, police, pulic health teams and other partners to identify local concerns and agree practical solutions.
Designed to give people a stronger voice in shaping their communities, the walkabouts will focus on issues such as community safety, anti-social behaviour, grounds maintenance, lighting, communal areas, bin storage, and other neighbourhood fears.
Afterwards, the partners involved will review progress, track agreed actions and distribute the outcomes, alongside a published schedule of walkabout dates and locations.
The first walkabout will take place in Woodrow at 3pm on Wednesday, July 29.
Residents who want to take part can meet the group at the Woodrow Centre shortly before the start.
Feedback from the Woodrow session will then help shape the approach before it is rolled out to other parts of the borough.
Coun Ashley Monk, Redditch Borough Council’s portfolio holder for housing and community services, said: “We want to strengthen residents’ voices and create more opportunities for people to influence what happens in their neighbourhoods.
“By bringing together the organisations responsible for different services and discussing issues face-to-face, where they occur, we can identify priorities, agree actions and be clear about who is responsible for delivering them.
“This is about getting out of meeting rooms and into the community, listening, working together, and showing residents their feedback leads to visible results.”
Insp Richard Field of the Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Community walkabouts are a great opportunity for residents to speak directly with the agencies that serve their neighbourhoods and help shape the priorities that matter most to them.
“We know local people are often best placed to identify issues affecting their communities, whether that’s anti-social behaviour, environmental concerns, or areas where they feel less safe.
“By walking the neighbourhood together, we can better understand those concerns, agree practical solutions and work collectively to make a visible difference.
“I would encourage residents in Woodrow to come along, share their views and help us build stronger, safer communities.”
Dr Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health for Worcestershire, said: “This is a good example of district and county partners working together along with residents to address local issues in their community.
“Our award-winning Priority Neighbourhood Development programme, including in Woodrow, has enabled our Public Health Team to ensure local people can take an active role in improving the place they live.
“Delivered in partnership with the borough council, this work recognises the expertise communities have and puts them in control.”
Visit: redditchbc.gov.uk/walkabouts or call 01527 587000 for more information.
