More than 70 community‑led projects are moving ahead, as Your Voice, Your Town swings into action.
Your Voice, Your Town is an Ealing Council initiative designed to support community-powered change in each of the borough’s 7 towns.
Residents across the borough voted on the change they most wanted to see in their local area. Over the last 9 months, Your Voice, Your Town has focused on turning that priority into action through a new community fund.
Change powered by communities
‘Town teams’ were set up in each town, made up of residents and representatives from businesses, faith and community groups, and councillors. Their role is to convert great local ideas into real, visible change by managing the community fund and selecting projects that best support the priorities chosen in their town.
What you can expect to see
Projects have now been agreed by the town teams, and community funding has been allocated in Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt and Perivale. Residents will start to see the first community-led projects moving ahead soon. In Southall, applications for project funding have recently closed. The best projects have now been chosen by the town team and will be announced soon.
Every funded project links directly back to the priority chosen by residents in that town and include a range of creative and wellbeing activities, support for young people, environmental improvements, small street upgrades, and community events that help residents feel safer, more connected and prouder of their neighbourhood.
You can see a full list of funded projects on the Your Voice, Your Town website. Projects will also be sharing ways to get involved locally in the months ahead.
‘Expect warm welcomes’
Community ConneX project team member Jodie Spiers said: “Community ConneX is truly delighted to receive funding from Ealing Council as part of the Your Voice, Your Town initiative. We’re excited to get out there, meet residents, and cocreate activities and wellbeing experiences that nourish Northolt’s vibrant community. Expect warm welcomes, fun, and real chances to connect so that no one feels alone.”
Peter Truesdale, an Acton town team member, said: “I am proud to be part of Acton’s town team and be able to help allocate our community fund to those projects which will have the greatest impact on the Acton community. I hope these projects create a greater pride in Acton and a pulling together of all the diverse communities to create a safer, greener and wonderful place to live.”
Councillor Blerina Hashani, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities said: The range of projects being funded in each town is exciting, and each one an inspiring demonstration of the skills, creativity and passion of our residents. From the outset, we were determined that local people should shape how money is spent in their neighbourhoods, and it’s been fantastic to see new connections forming as residents come together, share ideas and build networks. I’m looking forward to seeing the projects come to life over the coming months, helping to create a nicer place to live for everyone.”
What’s next?
As Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt and Perivale begin work on their community-led projects, residents will start to see improvements based on the priorities they voted for.
In Southall, applications for the community fund recently closed. The town team have now selected the projects which best support their priority of ‘clean and pleasant.’ Projects who have been awarded funding will be announced on the Your Voice, Your Town website soon.
There will continue to be opportunities for residents to get involved — from joining town teams to volunteering on local projects or applying for community funding in future rounds.
Visit the Your Voice, Your Town website to find out more and stay up to date.
