Creating opportunity in Sherford

Sherford Community Land Trust (SCLT) has been working with Real Ideas to support the growth of the Trust's operations, deliver community engagement and get to know people. Initially we held a series of community events and markets, met with groups and spoke to residents. All of this culminated in the formation of a Residents Community Panel.

The SCLT Residents' Community Panel is central to the Trust, and has worked hard to help shape a transitional business plan focused around five areas that were identified as being important to the community: 

Communication, Events and Activities, Shops and Amenities, Young People and Environment and Heritage.  

The plan has enabled SCLT to drawn down Section 106 funding to support its development, and make positive things happen around the five key areas. This work is about working with residents to act together, test ideas, try new things and create opportunities; developing sustainable and enterprising activity to build on what already exists and generate ideas and solutions for the things that do not.

Real Ideas are also working with the Trust to develop its governance arrangement, to support better engagement and representation for residents and build local capacity to help take the organisation forward into the future.

Over the next year the panel will be looking at updating the business plan looking at how we can capture community voice and bring that into the activity we deliver.

How you can get involved

If you are interested in joining the SCLT Community Panel – please contact Judy Talbot – info@sherfordtrust.org.uk 

Each key area has its own working group who meet regularly to shape and deliver community activity. If you are interested in being part of one or more of the working groups or have some ideas you would like to share, please contact Judy Talbot – info@sherfordtrust.org.uk  

• Communications: We aim to improve communications within and across the community, to promote local activity and support community cohesion. We send out e-newsletters, create social media content, design posters and leaflets and support others to get their message out. 
• Events/Activity: We plan and deliver events and activity in the community; we aim to develop a longer-term annual programme of activity in Sherford and work with/support other groups to organise/promote their events and activities. 
• Shops and Amenities: We run market events locally and aim to expand this to pop-up shops, and other local offers, to help test what works well, build relationships with retailers and our own capacity around the future of the town’s high street.
• Youth Group: A collaboration between, Sherford Community Trust, Sherford Community Church and residents, the group aim to support the delivery of and provide safe spaces and activities for children and families, and young people living in Sherford. 
• Environment and Heritage: We bring residents, local groups, and partners together to celebrate and protect Sherford’s cultural and natural heritage. Through inclusive events, inspiration, and action, we aim to nurture green spaces, share local stories, promote sustainable living, and foster community wellbeing - creating a greener, more connected, and culturally rich Sherford.