Hastings Community Network were pleased to collaborate with the Hastings Board to consider how local communities could be included in future engagement and consultation. The Big Conversation drew together representatives from public sector bodies and voluntary and community organisations to consider how real involvement can be achieved. The report from the event has now been published and can be accessed below together with a statement from the Chair of the Hastings Board:
"The Big Conversation gave us an opportunity to bring together community leaders to develop the principles for community engagement to shape and guide the development of our Long-Term Plan. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for giving us their time, knowledge, and extensive experience of working in our town. The event was oversubscribed, an indication of how strong our voluntary and community sector is in Hastings.
Particular thanks go to Hastings Voluntary Action and the Hastings Community Network for allowing us to use one of their events for the workshop. Many participants had not been to an HCN event before and I know many valuable connections were made on the day. Our facilitators, Always Possible, have captured the outputs of the workshop in a report which I am pleased to be able to share. The report sets out best practice for community engagement in our town and can be used for any future opportunities that might come to the town."
Rebecca Conroy, East Sussex College Group CEO, Chair - education sector
