Community Development Impact Report 2022

Central to our work is engagement with our communities, particularly those who are marginalised and whose voices are less often heard. We achieve this by working in our communities and are grateful to those partners who have offered us desk space, including Merstham Community Facility Trust, Horley Baptist Church and St Marks Church and Welcare in Redhill. We also work from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council  (RBBC) Community Centres in Horley and Woodhatch.

Riverfest 2022 (Redhill)

This successful event was held on 27 August. An estimated 150 people attended, mainly from the Rivers estate (residents of the Flowers estate and The Dome were also invited). Residents enjoyed some fun activities provided by The Welcare Family Centre, Raven Housing Trust, St Matthew’s Church, Surrey Choices, Growing Health Together Redhill, and RBBC Sustainability team. 25 residents provided their feedback on what they thought about their neighbourhood with 10 expressing an interest in being involved in bring about some positive changes.

Nailsworth listening event

Working with colleagues in health and from Raven HT and Surrey County Council, Alice organised a ‘listening event’ for Nailsworth Crescent residents. Anecdotally, we know that Nailsworth Crescent residents face multiple disadvantage and numerous interventions have been undertaken with little or no significant change. We therefore undertook to go to residents without an agenda and just listen to them. As a result, Alice was able to identify three interventions requested by residents: a stay and play at the hub, better communication with Raven Housing Trust and greenspace improvements. Alice supported the setting up of a stay and play which proved very successful (oversubscribed by week three) and continues to support residents to address the other two issues that were identified.