Core to our ethos is to give people the mechanisms to shape the future of their communities. Plans and strategies are key tools to do this and we have facilitated community planning processes in rural parishes, inner city estates and across whole districts.

Parish Plans

Pathways led this pilot project for the Countryside Agency, in which three parish councils were supported to consult their communities and create community plans for their villages. Three years on, the plans have attracted funding, mobilised volunteer effort and created new local services such as a play area, improvements to the village hall and a rural lunch club and shopping service for the elderly.
Client: The Countryside Agency

“Pathways showed us how to do things differently. The Village Conference was an enormous success, with over 400 people attending and a real buzz to it. It's easy to forget how challenging it all felt at first but I don't believe we would have got to this stage without Pathways.”

June Greenwell, Silverdale Parish Council

Offerton Estate Community Plan

In conjunction with local workers, Pathways organised a fun day to gather the baseline information for a community plan for an estate in Stockport. Local people were attracted to the event through a car boot sale, a buffet lunch and giant cartoon characters. Views about the estate were gathered through 'Planning For Real' maps; a wall of flags and hands; a children's painting workshop and one-to-one interviews.
Client: Stockport Metropolitan Council

Rotherham Community Buildings Day

Pathways facilitated representatives from three estates in Rotherham, South Yorkshireto examine what they needed in terms of new community buildings in their area. Over fifty people aged between 13 and 80, from across different ethnic groups came together in a community conference on the issue. Views were given through vision pictures, maps and a whole-group decision making session. Four years on and the new buildings are up and running!
Client: The Valley Regeneration Partnership