Written by:
Louise Dennison
On Monday, March 24th, we were hosted by Newcastle University at The Boiler House for the final in-person event of our WEdesign series: Communities of Care. In collaboration with tutors and students from Newcastle University’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, the event explored the vital role of care in shaping sustainable ways of living.
Through discussion, debate, and interactive making activities, we examined how mutual support, resource sharing, and collective well-being can drive innovation and resilience in our communities.
At a time of austerity and social crisis, caring for our society, as well as our built and natural environments, has never been more critical. Communities of Care emphasises not only the importance of looking after one another, but also the creation of shared spaces, skill exchanges, and nurturing a collective sense of responsibility for the places we inhabit.
Alkistis Pitsikali, our partner tutor from Newcastle University, introduced the theme and how taking part in WEdesign connects with the students’ work. She also shared insights from her research and teaching, highlighting the significance of care in placemaking and the importance of community resilience.
Icebreaker Activity
As participants arrived, they were welcomed by students who had designed a variety of interactive icebreaker activities. These activities were part of the students’ ongoing design engagement experiments, developed as part of their studies. The WEdesign event provided a safe space for them to test these methods, allowing participants to engage with and give feedback on their approaches.
Propositions for Change
Over the course of the evening we tasked our participants with exploring the theme of Communities of care and, facilitated by our students, they worked together to ask the question ‘What if?’ through co-designing a series of propositions for change through discussion and playful making activities.
For this event, we adapted our WEdesign model to accommodate a larger group of students than usual, enabling more facilitators to take part. With six tables and three repeating lenses, participants had the opportunity to explore one of three different perspectives: Education, Policy, or Ecology.
Table Group Discussions
Education – Group 1
The Education table’s discussion focused on how to bring people together through the creation of spaces they care for as a means of educating others. The group explored the idea of integrating education into everyday environments and proposed using parks as communal learning spaces, empowering people to take ownership and control of their green space.
Inspired by a planning initiative in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which encourages community members to participate in building picnic benches and tables for local parks, the group discussed how similar projects could make Newcastle’s green spaces more inclusive and engaging for all.
Their model depicted a colourful park setting with picnic benches, playgrounds, and green spaces, encouraging interaction across ages. The group also emphasised the potential for adding more trees and natural elements into existing spaces.
“Design public spaces and parks with and for the people!”
Policy – Group 1
The Policy table began by exploring the current impact of policies on communities, particularly how certain policies tend to benefit specific groups while leaving others disconnected from decision-making processes. Inclusion and exclusion.
Their model illustrated the current structure of policy, showing how some groups are closely connected while others remain on the periphery. The group proposed a shift toward more inclusive, bottom-up policy development, ensuring that those affected by policy have a voice in shaping it.
“There needs to be an improved cohesion between local authority + the government and the general public.”
Ecology – Group 1
The Ecology table focused on the relationship between ecology and the built environment, questioning how urban planning often prioritises human needs over nature. The group explored ways to better integrate ecological considerations into cities.
This group created a model which showed a city with interconnected green spaces, stressing the importance of ecological corridors. They proposed a development model that begins with nature and adapts the built environment around it. The group also advocated for accessible ecological infrastructure, such as community allotments and also blue spaces like rivers, canals and lakes, promoting long-term sustainable changes in urban planning.
“Ecology is linked to everything; we cannot live without it.”
Education – Group 2
At the second Education table, the group explored the idea that learning extends beyond traditional schools, universities and colleges. Learning can happen anywhere and through informal experiences too. Lifelong learning allows individuals to continuously evolve, and opportunities to learn can be found everywhere.They talked about how education has different levels, with each new bit of knowledge helping you grow, and highlighted that everyone learns in their own way.
Their model featured a brain-like structure, symbolising how knowledge comes from various sources including formal education, personal experiences, and family. The scattered arrangement of elements underscored that education is found in many forms and should not be restricted.
“People should spend more time consciously thinking about how we can learn from every new conversation.”
Policy – Group 2
The other Policy table discussed the role of policy in society and how it is perceived by the public. The conversation evolved into a focus on grassroots movements and their potential to influence policy from the ground up.
The group’s model depicted people as the ‘roots’ of a system, representing grassroots movements as strong foundations for policies that better serve communities. This contrasted with top-down, fragile policies that often fail to support people effectively. Their pitch called for more localised policies that empower communities, ensuring that change is driven by those it directly impacts.
“It has highlighted my role in policy and how I can find ‘roots’ into it.”
Ecology – Group 2
At the second Ecology table, the discussion explored how urban spaces often prioritise human needs over nature. The group advocated for integrating nature more seamlessly into cities, rather than treating green spaces as afterthoughts.
Their model was intentionally chaotic and represented the untamed and organic nature of the environment.It showed the need for urban planning that allows nature to flourish, with transportation systems and public spaces that dovetail with the natural world. The group stressed the importance of accessible green spaces to increase public well-being.
“I will take away a larger consideration [for] ecology and how I interact with it and how cities can share the space in a more diverse way.”
Key Takeaways & Closing Remarks
The Communities of Care event brought together diverse voices and sparked meaningful conversations on how to challenge the status quo and create change at every level. Key themes included the importance of breaking down barriers, whether between people and nature or between communities and decision-makers, and empowering individuals to take action in shaping their surroundings. Conversations around guerrilla gardening, public space reclamation, and accessible, grassroots education highlighted how small acts can drive significant transformation.
The event also showed the power of working together. Students learned how to engage with different communities, improve their facilitation skills, and learn from each other. This exchange highlighted the importance of reciprocity in education and policy-making and indeed in spaces like the WEdesign event.
A huge thank you to Alkistis Pitsikali, the students from Newcastle University, and all participants for their time and generous contributions. A special thanks also goes to our student photographers who have helped us capture and share this event. We look forward to seeing how these conversations continue to shape the future.