We’ve recently launched an exciting community-led project to tackle social isolation and turn Birmingham streets into friendly environments for people.
Working in Castle Vale, Pype Hayes, Birches Green and parts of Bromford, Sustrans will work with the community to undertake an audit of the local street scene. This will help to identify issues which make travel and connectivity more difficult.
As the project progresses residents will be able to put forward their improvements to create an age-friendly environment. Ideas could include improved cycling and pedestrian facilities such as traffic calming, new or improved crossing points, more greenery or even benches so people walking can stop can take a rest. We’ll work with local communities to develop these ideas and trial them for a short period, in a low-cost way.
The evidence collected during the two-year project will be compiled and used to develop a community plan at the conclusion of the project in May 2020. This will contain a number of proposals for lasting change which could be implemented over a 5-10 year period.
We’re delivering this as part of the Ageing Better in Birmingham, a programme working to reduce isolation in the city through a grass-roots approach designed to empower and connect individuals, helping to create sustainable change in communities. Along with other projects across the city, it’s been commissioned by Birmingham Voluntary Services Council with a £6 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
Urban environments can have a huge impact on people’s health and wellbeing, influencing how active they are. So improving access for those aged 50 and over can help to improve their well-being by encouraging them to be more active and engaged with the community. In turn, this can help to overcome social isolation and loneliness.
Commenting on the project Sustrans Community Engagement Officer, Ridhi Kalaria, said:
“This exciting project is a community-led initiative which means that residents will be able to submit practically any idea they like! We’ve got no idea what they’ll put forward but we’re expecting to receive suggestions that’d make it easier to walk and cycle from A to B. In any case, it’ll be an exciting time and we want everyone to get involved and have their say!”
We want as many residents to have their say as possible.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Ridhi on 07810 655 934 or ridhi.kalaria@sustrans.org.ukfrom News https://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/community-led-project-create-age-friendly-environment-birmingham
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