Written by:
Guest Author
by Claire Robinson
On Wednesday, November 27th, a positive and inspiring workshop unfolded at Graylingwell Chapel in Chichester: The Connected City, an in-person event that created a safe space for diverse stakeholders to come together, explore challenging issues, and collaborate on ideas for meaningful change. Hosted by the Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) and using the WEdesign event model designed and facilitated by the innovative team at The Glass-House Community Led Design, the event attracted residents, education leaders, charities, council members and social enterprises across the district. The aim was ambitious yet crucial: to ensure everyone in the community feels connected, understood, and empowered to influence their shared spaces.
This hands-on workshop combined lively discussions with creative 3D model-making activities, addressing three key themes: community, education, and ecology. The results were as inspiring as they were practical, offering a roadmap for transforming ideas into actionable solutions.
Community: A “Share Shop” for Connection and Sustainability
The community team envisioned a revolutionary concept: the “Share Shop.” This physical and digital hub would provide a central space for residents to access resources, share knowledge, and build stronger community ties. A “library-of-things” approach would allow individuals to borrow seldom-used items like power tools, reducing waste and promoting resource sharing. By partnering with local retailers, the shop would incentivise the purchase of borrowed items, boosting the local economy without undermining it.
More than a borrowing service, the Share Shop would serve as a hub for workshops, coaching, and information-sharing—helping residents connect while addressing environmental concerns. It would become a cornerstone for community engagement, actively reducing barriers to participation and inclusion.
Education: Learning Beyond School
The education team explored the profound potential of lifelong learning. They challenged the narrow focus on qualifications and proposed a broader vision where learning is ongoing and inclusive. The team emphasised apprenticeships with a twist—a model where learners also become teachers. For example, a neurodiverse young person excelling in a trade could not only gain valuable experience but also train employers to create neurodiverse-friendly workplaces.
This dual-purpose approach would build mutual understanding and create a ripple effect, as apprentices evolve into mentors, building a culture of shared knowledge. Moreover, the team stressed the importance of “training the trainers,” equipping organisations to more effectively support apprentices and trainees, especially those from marginalised backgrounds ensuring the position was more than hosting young people, but truly imparting knowledge and skills. Breaking unconscious biases in such a way would lead to a more inclusive and connected community.
Ecology: Bridging Communities and Nature
The ecology team focused on maximising the potential of green spaces to connect people with nature—and with each other. Their ideas revolved around involving diverse groups, from residents and youth organisations to schools and health bodies, in the stewardship of local natural areas and trees, particularly focussing on the management of such areas in new housing developments. This approach would create a sense of shared ownership and responsibility.
One standout idea was to motivate developers to integrate long-term ecological care into their planning processes, ensuring that new green spaces are sustainably maintained. The group also explored ways to rediscover hidden natural treasures within the district, creating opportunities for community-led initiatives to transform these areas into vibrant, shared spaces.
Collaboration in Action
Facilitated by The Glass-House Community Led Design, the workshop demonstrated the power of design as a tool for empowerment and connection. Through hands-on activities, participants co-designed practical solutions to pressing challenges, proving that with collaboration and creativity, real change is possible.
The event’s outcomes were not only inspiring but achievable, highlighting how community-driven ideas can shape culture, policy, and practice. By focusing on inclusivity and sustainability, WEdesign exemplified how collective action can tackle even the toughest issues.
Looking Ahead
The success of WEdesign underscores the potential of collaborative design in building a connected city and resilient communities. The event served as a launchpad for actionable projects that could reshape the Chichester district, making it more inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant.
Interested in joining future WEdesign or similar initiatives or learning more? Reach out to partnerships@chichestercdt.org.uk or visit Chichester CDT and Glass-House Community Led Design for updates. Together, we can co-create a future where everyone feels they belong.
This blog was written by Claire Robinson, Partnerships Director at Chichester Community Development Trust.