‘Your Say, Your Way’ is an innovative community project being piloted by Luton Borough Council. The Council’s Community Development team is spearheading this new consultative approach to neighbourhood governance, empowering local community groups and local residents to take a dynamic role and get involved in local decision making to shape the Luton wards of Farely, Leagrave and Challney for the better.
The Council’s Community Development Service works with community centres and groups to bring about social change and justice, identifying needs, opportunities, rights and responsibilities at a local level, providing help and support in accessing funding and organising community events. They are responsible for ensuring that the local groups they serve are well informed and have ample opportunities to get involved and have their say on local issues at public consultation events. At these events everyone has an equal opportunity to have their views heard, and a high public turnout is crucial to the event’s success.
The distribution of leaflets and newsletters play a vital part in educating and informing residents of upcoming events and changes within the community. DOR2DOR Luton is the distribution partner working with Luton Borough Council to communicate the ‘Your, Say, Your Way’ programme messages to local residents and businesses. Timely delivery and accurate targeting helps to maximize participation at annual festivals and other community building events. During 2011 distribution reached 100,000 covering four areas of Luton.
Mr Marek Lubelski said:
“The nature and importance of our communication material means it has to be clearly visible to our residents. DOR2DOR are most effective in meeting our short deadlines. Gerry Sheridan has been immensely helpful; he manages a good team, handles huge volumes of material and ensures our news materials are distributed on time. They do a great job; we always have a good turnout to the community events they help us to promote.”
Out of all the organisations DOR-2-DOR (Luton) promotes, The Community Development Service is one of the most worthwhile, according to Gerry Sheridan.
He commented: “It’s brilliant working with The Community Development Service and Luton Culture. The events are well organised and attended; they work very hard to help our local communities. It’s a pleasure to support the Council and local residents in bringing about positive change locally.”
