HEALTHY WALTHAM’s Post

The #WestMidlands stands strong as a true engine for #growth, #innovation and #prosperity in the country, yet our research revealed statistics which show the scale of people struggling to find their place in our society. 🏠 20,000 people without stable housing today. ❓ 4,400 young care leavers (16-25) at risk of deprivation today. 🤞 30,000 veterans who may be in need of mental health today. 🛍️ 2,500 veterans who could be homeless tonight. 🤐 All feeling unseen and without a secure future for themselves. We've met some of these people, we've heard their stories, and we've shown them our plans for Ignis Lodge. 88% agree that it will improve their outcomes. And our research reveals we would return £1.81 for every £1 spent. Real people, real stories, real outcomes. Are you an organisation who would like to join us in this mission? We would like you invite you to stand with us as we walk alongside those in need and guide them into happy, healthy and independent lives. Be one of our partners in this mission and together we can make it a reality. Let's talk? Reach out to us on our contact details, drop a comment below, or you can complete our engagement form (https://lnkd.in/e3AyB6QW). We would love to connect with you. #ignitingpotential #brighterfutures #careleavers #veterans #birmingham #solihull #blackcountry #coventry #crisis #health #wellbeing West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City Council, City of Wolverhampton Council, Walsall Council, Dudley Council, Sandwell Council, Coventry City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Invest West Midlands UK (West Midlands Growth Company), CMI West Midlands & North West, West Midlands Chambers of Commerce LLP, JLR, Jaguar Land Rover UK, E.ON UK, JCB, National Grid, Severn Trent, National Express LTD, Mondelēz International, Cadbury UK, Amazon, Gymshark, Birmingham Airport, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd, Shakespeare Martineau, Institute of Directors (IoD) University of Warwick, Aston University, University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Wolverhampton, Royal British Legion, Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities

Day 30 of a #sharednarrative for #Plymouth: A specific shout out for Belong in Plymouth! Plymouth is one of 5 projects nationwide that are exploring how to tackle complex health inequalities. In Plymouth we are developing a network called Belong in Plymouth; connecting individuals who aspire to make Plymouth a city where no one feels forgotten. The sheer scale and complexity of isolation and its effects on health mean we know we need to explore and search for answers together - NHS, Statutory Services, the VCSE and individual citizens. This includes deepening our understanding of the system and context together through listening and conversations with communities where they are heard as respected peers. So far we have spent £345,000 and with this we have: Collected 120 conversations resulting in 790+ fragments, 53 factors, 12 themes, 1 map: https://buff.ly/47WjD3x We have 13 young people leading their own work and 22 local residents participating in co-creation processes. Engaged with 399 participants through wider events (e.g. Neighbourhood democracy, Hope in the Heart, Health is Wealth), 198 through sensemaking workshops, 105 through conversation processing workshops. We have trained 118 people trained (including 13 young people) And we have seen 264 members join the network, 391 people receive the newsletter Watch the video here: https://buff.ly/3YjqO2R Full Plymouth Octopus(POP) narrative: https://buff.ly/4dQZbD1 POP learning and thinking: https://buff.ly/4fZAcPG Dark Matter Labs @Annette https://buff.ly/3YSF4Ac Sky Space Team Development Cic @Jen https://buff.ly/3yMsPK #BEMOREPLYMOUTH #fairer #greener #futurism #regenerativefutures #learning #sharednarrative #plymouth #systemconvening #community #grassroots #funding #grantmaking

There are many agencies, organisations and people who are doing great work with our target service users. As we now move forward, we would love to work with as many as we can to improve the outcomes for those who need it most. This week, we met with Becci from the Care Leaver Covenant and heard about the excellent work they do on behalf of the Department for Education in response to the 'Keep on Caring' White Paper (2016). They are working tirelessly, across many sectors, to advance the futures of care leavers in partnership with government, councils, and employers. We are delighted that Ignis Lodge will be working with the Care Leaver Covenant. Our community approach, typically over 12-months, combines #housing, #skills, #health and #employment to enable people to transition from short term intervention into happy, healthy and independent lives. In a recent survey, 88% of service users agreed our approach would improve their outcomes. Real people, real stories, real outcomes. How can you join Change Right and Care Leaver Covenant in helping us deliver this mission? 🤝 Join us as a #partner to enable and deliver our services. 🏦 Help us identify and secure #funding for our site. 👍 Support us as a #community to create and champion our mission. Please visit www.ignislodge.co.uk to learn more and reach out for a discussion. Together, we can make this mission a reality. #partnership #bethechange #youth #care #veterans #socialmobility #skills #education #support #community #growth #health #wellbeing #westmidlands #birmingham #blackcountry #coventry #dudley #sandwell #solihull #walsall #wolverhampton #ignitingpotential #brighterfutures

Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership Between SYFS and Grossman Development Group/Lakeway Commons Today marks an extraordinary milestone as we honor the remarkable 10-year anniversary of our collaboration with Grossman Development Group/Lakeway Commons. Throughout the past decade, this partnership has been the cornerstone of our ability to make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve, and we cannot express enough gratitude for their unwavering support and dedication to our cause. Since our partnership's inception in 2014, Grossman Development Group, LLC / Lakeway Commons has stood as a beacon of generosity and allyship in our mission. Their consistent and generous contributions, both financial and in-kind, have been instrumental in expanding our programs, reaching more individuals in need, and effecting lasting change in our community. Through this decade-long journey, we have experienced firsthand the transformative power of collaboration and shared purpose. Together, we have navigated challenges, seized opportunities, and fostered an atmosphere of innovation that has propelled our work to new heights. Beyond the tangible impact of their support, Howard Grossman has exemplified a profound commitment to social responsibility and a genuine passion for making a meaningful difference in the world. As we reflect on the past ten years, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the meaningful relationships we have forged, the lives we have touched, and the hope we have cultivated together. The success and sustainability of our programs would not have been possible without the steadfast partnership of Grossman Development Group/Lakeway Commons. Here's to many more years of shared success, growth, and, above all, making the world a better place together. #SYFS #GrossmanDevelopmentGroup #LakewayCommons #10YearsStrong #CommunityPartnership

If you know what you want to be, then you inevitably become it – that is your punishment, but if you never know, then you can be anything. [Paraphrasing Oscar Wilde] We are not nouns, we are verbs. We are people who do things. Stay with me here… This amazing building in the centre of #Accrington is destined to be a new heritage centre. Currently in the development phase, thanks to National Lottery Heritage Funding, we are exploring what this building could become, steered by the local community. Inclusion, access & participation at the heart. What I love about this project is how heritage isn’t something to be defined, people determine what their hertiage is (The National Lottery Heritage Fund ‘s own words!) The sentiment of the Oscar Wilde quote keeps coming up in various ways throughout our engagement/consultation work. People are asking for inspiration & examples of great things that have been crafted from their hometown, wondering what they can ‘be’... but they are also asking to have a go, to try new things & learn new skills that connect them to the past. They want to not just visit a new place for one thing or one activity, they want a place that changes with the seasons, offers opportunities they haven’t heard of before & a place they can also just exist and feel part of. ‘If you can’t see it, you can’t be it’ The more conversations we have, the more privileged I feel to be the person curating all the feelings and thoughts together. Some exciting updates about our plans for the year ahead & ways to get involved coming soon! Plus sooo much going on in Accrington in general. Wider Town Square project updates here: https://lnkd.in/ewFBE_hp #heritage #regeneration #accringtontownsquare

In Kansas City, Missouri, Alexis Penney is redefining what a yoga studio can be. Inner Space KC, their innovative business, combines yoga, movement classes, coworking spaces, and a community hub under one roof. The historic building, with over a century of history, is now a bustling center for connection and growth. “Our studio anchors a community of diverse tenants, including estheticians, nonprofits, and energy healers,” Alexis explained during our conversation. “It’s an experiment in coworking that brings together different communities and customer bases.” Inner Space also plays a vital role in its neighborhood. Situated on Troost Avenue, a street with a fraught history as Kansas City’s historic redline boundary, the area is now a focal point for redevelopment. The studio aligns with local organizations fostering healing and support, from recovery housing to affordable childcare. “There’s an energy of healing here,” Alexis shared. “The site of so much conflict has become a place for growth and recovery.” To expand Inner Space KC’s impact, Alexis launched a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign through Honeycomb Credit. This effort invites the community to invest in the studio’s growth while supporting the broader revitalization of Troost Avenue. Highlighting the alignment between their values and the Honeycomb platform, Alexis noted, “We didn’t want someone owning the business who didn’t share our mission. Honeycomb’s approach resonated with our vision of community and connection.” For those inspired by Alexis’s work, visit s4g[dot]biz[slash]inner to explore the Honeycomb campaign and contribute to this grassroots movement. Inner Space KC stands as a beacon of innovation and unity, proving that community-driven ventures can lead the way in urban transformation. Read, watch or listen to more: http://s4g.biz/26nov24 #ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd #KCPride

Over the next few days, members of the NeighborWorks America Community Initiatives Advisory Committee and Rural Advisory Council have the privilege of visiting Wealth Watchers Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida. As part of the visit today, we toured the historic Eastside community in Jacksonville, guided by Travis Williams, COO of LIFT JAX. As the largest intact historically Black community, Eastside is a testament to resilience and community-driven progress. Travis highlighted the incredible work underway, emphasizing that their role is part of a long relay of passing the baton and building on the efforts of generations past. LIFT JAX is tackling challenges like redlining, but not as saviors—they are empowering residents by ensuring the community is at the forefront of decision-making and investments. From housing and business corridor revitalization to energy upgrades and home rehabilitation, the work is always done in partnership and with a deep respect for history. We visited The Corner at Deb’s Store, an iconic neighborhood market, now revitalized with both its original charm and modern amenities, thanks to a community vision. The project represents much more than a grocery store—it’s a hub of economic development and hope in a neighborhood that was once a banking and food desert. Hearing stories like that of a local banker who returned to the neighborhood and repaired her great-grandparents' home, showcased the power of coming home and reinvesting in one’s roots. With $3 billion of planned investment in the next seven years, the Eastside is on the cusp of a transformative period, thanks to the collective action of its residents. Through the largest community benefits agreement in NFL history, the community is ensuring that future development serves its people—preserving history while creating new opportunities. The next five years will be important for Eastside, as the focus turns to affordable housing, economic development, and empowering small BIPOC businesses. It’s inspiring to witness how intentional planning rooted in history and culture and partnerships can build the foundation for positive change.

Day 20 of a #sharednarrative for #Plymouth: Dreaming the future. “If we cannot imagine a better world, we cannot create it.” Hannah Harris, Plymouth Culture Our dreams start with us. We can be the pebbles that create the ripples of change. The hope and the inspiration that drives us forwards comes from people stepping forwards and creating change. A shift into alternative futures depends on changes within ourselves and how we are together - how we heal from traumas, how we reconcile with our histories, how we relate to one another, how we show care and what we prioritise. We all have a ripple effect. Actions that originate from these places of deep intention can have huge ripple effects. The "butterfly effect“: in his famous 1963 paper Lorenz picturesquely explains that a butterfly flapping its wings in Beijing could affect the weather thousands of miles away some days later. Similarly, we see how one person working on their self AND their relationships can influence an ecosystem around them. What would it look like if Plymouth could unleash our potential by nurturing our innate value, encourage the flow of love and care, and tap into our remarkable creativity? Full Plymouth Octopus(POP) narrative: https://buff.ly/4dQZbD1 POP learning and thinking: https://buff.ly/4fZAcPG Dark Matter Labs @Annette https://buff.ly/3YSF4Ac Sky Space Team Development Cic @Jen https://buff.ly/3yMsPK #BEMOREPLYMOUTH #fairer #greener #futurism #regenerativefutures #learning #sharednarrative #plymouth #systemconvening #community #grassroots #funding #grantmaking

Day 14 of a #sharednarrative for #Plymouth: We all have agency to play a critical role. We know, fundamentally, what it takes for us all to be motivated and nourished- both individually and collectively - through our personal experiences; science; ancient wisdom, such as: * Relationships with each other and with nature * Mastery of craft * Autonomy of exploration, in an interdependent web * Purpose of something beyond ourselves If we can unlock these conditions at a wider scale, there is huge potential to unlock mass agency towards the scale of the transformations we need. We can all play a role through (for example): * how we relate to others * how we stay realistic about the context and commit to keep caring * how we nurture the environment we are part of * how we explore and understand challenges together * how we show integrity in our actions Full Plymouth Octopus(POP) narrative: https://buff.ly/4dQZbD1 POP learning and thinking: https://buff.ly/4fZAcPG Dark Matter Labs @Annette https://buff.ly/3YSF4Ac Sky Space Team Development Cic @Jen https://buff.ly/3yMsPK #BEMOREPLYMOUTH #fairer #greener #futurism #regenerativefutures #learning #sharednarrative #plymouth #systemconvening #community #grassroots #funding #grantmaking

Who’s in to help us raise $1 million? 🙋♀️🙋♂️ Yeah, we know that’s a BIG, BIG ask. So, here’s the scoop: I found the perfect building that could become so much more than just a building. Imagine a community center that’s also a chamber HQ, an event space, and the beating heart of Somersworth’s Main Street. We’re talking farmer’s markets, local events, business workshops, and a place where high school students can gain real-world skills through mentorships with local businesses. Why? Because our community deserves it. And we need it. Bringing back our Somersworth Main Street organization and a thriving farmers market means so much more than fresh veggies and crafts – it’s about connection. It’s about creating a space where local businesses, educators, and our future workforce can come together and THRIVE. So here’s the big question: Who wants to help us bring this dream to life? 🌟 If you’re passionate about making a real difference, building up our community, and putting Somersworth on the map in a way that shines, let’s talk. We’re in this together – and together, we can make some amazing things happen. Tag a friend who’s all about community, and let’s get to work! #CommunityFirst #SomersworthStrong #LocalLeads