Pride in Place: The Boards Are Taking Shape And Your Say Still Matters

Pride in Place in Whitehouse and Stoke Park & Chantry is moving into its next chapter.

The early work has helped raise awareness, recruit Neighbourhood Board members and invite local people and organisations to share what they know about their areas. Now, the Boards are being appointed and the next stage is beginning.

Some of that work will be happening behind the scenes for a little while. But that does not mean Pride in Place has gone quiet – it means the foundations are being put in place.

The Boards are getting ready

Whitehouse and Stoke Park & Chantry are each in line for up to £20 million of investment over ten years. The Neighbourhood Boards will help shape how that investment is used by working with residents, local organisations and partners to understand each area’s needs.

Before big decisions can be made, the Boards need time to get established. That means members getting to know one another, understanding their roles, agreeing on how they will work together, and preparing for the responsibility of helping guide long-term investment in their communities. It may not be the most visible part of the process. But it matters.

Good groundwork now should help better decisions happen later.

Local knowledge is already feeding in

Local charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, faith groups and social enterprises connected to the Pride in Place areas have also had the chance to share their insight through workshops delivered by Community Action Suffolk.

These organisations often see things very clearly. They know what support is already offered. They know where people are asking for help. They know where there may be gaps. And they know what is already working well in the community. That insight will help give the Neighbourhood Boards a stronger starting point as they begin their work.

Residents can still have their say

If you live in Whitehouse, Stoke Park or Chantry, your view still matters.

You do not need to be on a Board. You do not need to be part of an organisation. You do not need to go to a meeting. You can still fill in the survey for your area. This is a useful time to share your thoughts, because the Boards are still getting established and local priorities are still being shaped.

• What should people understand about your area?
• What would make life better locally?
• What should be protected, improved, supported or explored?

Whitehouse survey

Stoke Park and Chantry survey

More opportunities will come

Pride in Place is a ten-year programme, so these are still very early days. Once the Boards are established, they will begin looking at local priorities, possible projects and how residents, businesses, community groups and young people can continue to be involved. There will be more opportunities to take part as the programme develops. So if things look a little quieter from the outside for a few weeks, do not mistake that for nothing happening. The work is moving from the “what is this?” stage into the “how do we make this work properly?” stage. That means listening. Planning. Getting organised. Building relationships.

And preparing for decisions that could shape Whitehouse, Stoke Park and Chantry for years to come.

The door is very much always open

The most useful thing residents can do right now is simple: fill in the survey for your area.

Your answers do not need to sound official. They do not need to be polished. They just need to be honest, local and useful.

The Boards are taking shape.

The groundwork is happening.

And local people can help shape what comes next.

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

Miranda Acres

Miranda has been a Freelance Marketing and Design Consultant for more years than she cares to remember, supporting local start-ups, SMEs and charities. A passionate founder of Ipswich.love. Huge supporter of Ipswich's bid for City of Culture 2029. Born, bred and choosing Ipswich.