Bemerton Heath benefitting from Council's Community Conversations
The scheme asks local people what would make their area better
Communities in Wiltshire, including on Bemerton Heath, are coming together to tackle local issues and create their own solutions to improve health and wellbeing.
The Salisbury estate in one area where the Council's Community Conversations are taking place, with the aims of sharing ideas and helping people to inspire others and make a difference to the area they live in.
More areas of the county will start their own conversations in 2025, with the community engagement also providing insights for Wiltshire Council to help shape services.
Some of the residents involved in the Bemerton Heath work have now been employed as Health Coaches at the Council.
The projects in Salisbury have included:
• Setting up Brothers of Bemerton (B.O.B) - a thriving online men’s group supporting mental health and community connection, which is increasing its numbers. The group was founded by Sam who explained: “I have been emboldened by the Community Conversations project to take on roles in strategic governance after thinking for the last decade I would never be of use again.”
• Bemerton Heath also set up a free bus to Aldi so residents can use the local supermarket. People using the bus have said how it’s changed their lives especially for those with mobility or health challenges.
• A community garden which has been developed with volunteer support
• A series of community-led workshops to enable residents to share what they love about Bemerton Heath, working in partnership with Wiltshire Creative and resident artists, to create Welcome to Bemerton Heath signs.
• Planning is underway for a community BMX track.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council said: “Community Conversations shows the power of listening, collaboration, and grassroots action. This initiative helps residents shape their communities in meaningful ways.
"It has increased engagement with communities and helped build really trusting relationships. Local authorities and government bodies like the NHS can sometimes assume that we know what issues communities face and how to address them. It is really important that we don’t make that sort of assumption, that we take time to listen to residents and make sure services are delivered in ways that work for our communities in reality.”
Kate Blackburn, Wiltshire's Director of Public Health said: “People know their own areas best. They know what will work for them and what needs to be done.
"As a council we have been there to help join some of the dots and try and bring the right people together if required, and then it’s just been a matter of standing out of the way and seeing the communities thrive with all their own ideas and creativity, and it’s making such a difference.
"We decided on this fresh approach after meeting locals in Bemerton Heath and they have taken it on, made it their own and created opportunities for people in their communities that they know will work. This is just the start and I look forward to hearing more about communities taking it forward in the future.”