We also look ahead to our next session, focused on cost of living support and featuring a range of speakers. It will be taking place online on Thursday 27 February and you can find out more information below. 

You can also watch the latest in our series of ‘Conversations with’ vlogs, a discussion on the council’s Healthy Workplaces programme. 
 
There is also news of the new Net Zero Heroes scheme, as well as how to get involved with the consultation on local government and much, much more. 
 
Finally, we would love to share your stories in this newsletter and are always looking for contributions from you, our Network Members. If you have something that you would like to see or share in our May edition (deadline 1 May), please get in touch by emailing us at LeicestershireCommunities@leics.gov.uk with any ideas for our next or future editions.   

If you have been forwarded this newsletter or are not currently a Communities Network Member, please do sign up to join our Network and also sign up to receive future newsletters, information and details of events directly into your inbox.   

Warm Wishes,  

Pam Posnett 

 Communities Network

The Communities Network is a platform for Leicestershire communities to connect with each other about initiatives, projects, and activities which demonstrate local positive community action. Leicestershire communities are varied, with unique local assets and a wealth of skills and experience to share. This newsletter and our dedicated website which features local events and initiatives is designed to support this.   

Our Communities Network offer currently includes Communities Network sessions, Community Conversations and Community Roadshows.

Communities Network sessions are short online sessions aimed at providing information, support and advice to communities across Leicestershire on relevant themes and topics. The Network sessions are a platform for sharing and utilising skills, knowledge, expertise and assets amongst existing groups and the community.

Community Conversations are a tool to help inspire and support communities. They are short, interview style conversations relating to discussions with the community about a particular topic that they are passionate about.  

Community Roadshows are an opportunity for local businesses, charities, and groups to come together in person and find out more about what groups and activities are available locally. 

Recent events - Friendly Connected Communities

Back on Tuesday 12 November, we hosted a session focused on the Friendly Connected Communities approach, held at the Marlene Reid Centre in Coalville. It was a fantastic gathering of different organisations, who all shared their reflections on the approach. 

We also heard from Paul Fagan of the Marlene Reid Centre, who discussed how the centre is putting Friendly Connected Communities into action. This was a great platform to network and for local organisations to share their strengths, explore the benefits of the approach and also get a tour of the MRC. 

Thanks to all those who joined us and took part.

Tree-planting at County Hall

On Thursday 5 December, the Network hosted a session on tree-planting at County Hall. The first part featured a presentation from Adam Goodall, tree and woodland manager at the County Council, who discussed tree-planting programmes across Leicestershire and how attempts are being made to radically improve overall levels of tree cover. 

In the second part of the session, Adam and colleague Stewart Marshall planted a tree outside of County Hall, talking attendees through the process and giving some advice on tree-planting themselves. 

We had lots of attendees from across the county as well as Council staff and the session proved a useful follow-up to our online session back in September, which featured a range of guest speakers. 

Upcoming sessions

We have two upcoming in person Communities Network sessions: 
 
27 February – Empowering communities: cost of living support – join us for a session focusing on cost of living support available for communities, featuring speakers from Citizens Advice LeicesterShire, First Contact Plus, Clockwise Credit Union and Leicester South Foodbank.
 
Location: Online
Time: 1 - 2.30pm
 
Sign-up here 
 
8 April – Communities Summit - we will be hosting our second annual Communities Summit in April, featuring a range of fantastic presentations and focused on the environment and Net Zero. Amongst our guest speakers will be Herbert Daybell of the Communities Foundation.
 
Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA 
Time: 5-8pm 
 
Save the date!

 'Conversations with' vlogs

Want to learn more about our Leicestershire Communities? 

Make sure to check out our Conversations with vlogs, a series of discussions about the great community and voluntary work going on in the county, hosted by Communities Team member Juan Pardo.

Recent videos include a discussion with Katherine White, Managing Director of Plastribution, and Kat West, Marketing Assistant, on how the company benefitted from the Healthy Workplaces programme ran by the County Council.

To see our full playlist of vlogs, follow the link below:

Net Zero Heroes

Net Zero Heroes is a new scheme inviting Leicestershire residents to nominate local people and groups for taking positive climate action and living sustainably.

We want to celebrate and recognise those residents who are inspiring others to take action within their local communities, helping to achieve the county’s ambition to reach net zero by 2050.

There are many different kinds of voluntary contributions we are looking to recognise, such as but not limited to:

• Nature projects such as tree planting, rewilding, planting a community garden
• Environmental volunteering in the local community/setting up a volunteer group
• Installation of renewable energy sources or retrofitting their property/community buildings with energy saving measures
• Reducing private car use by cycling/walking/using public transport in daily life
• Teaching and educating others about the environment
• Setting up a reuse / repair service
• Charitable work to support the environment/sustainable living
• Becoming a flood or tree warden

To nominate someone, please complete the form below and we'll be in touch with your nominee.

Have your say and get involved

One Council for Leicestershire consultation

The Government wants to change how local councils are run.  

They want to move away from ‘two tier’ local government, so plans are being drawn up to create one council for Leicestershire (excluding Rutland and Leicester City), forging stronger links with communities, reducing duplication and simplifying local government. 

Bringing together eight councils into one single body would: 

• Save around £30 million, every year - through fewer managers, chief executives and councillors  

• Make it easier to get support - by giving residents clear and simple access to all services, whether by phone, online, or through local area committees 

• Future-proof services – protecting the support residents depend on at a time when local government is facing spiralling costs 

• Improve support for vulnerable people – by joining up health, social care and housing services 

• Give communities a stronger voice – local area committees would have greater influence over decision-making  

• Boost accountability – reducing confusion over who is responsible for what 

Initial proposals need to be submitted by 21 March with a more detailed plan completed by November.  

What it could mean for residents:  

• One set of rules for recycling - wherever you live or work 

• The right support in one place - no need to call a number of different councils 

• Road sign query? Get it sorted by calling one team - not the different councils responsible for different signs 

• Better support for vulnerable people - by joining up health, social care and housing services 

• A countywide leisure pass - offering access to centres across Leicestershire 

• One system for benefits and Council Tax collection 

• One ‘local plan’ - making sure development is in the right place and it easier to secure investment from housing developers to pay for roads, schools and other vital infrastructure 

• A joint trading standards and environmental health team - making it easier for businesses 

• Strong local voices - councillors championing your local community and batting for you on every issue, from planning to social care 

We are asking for initial feedback, before our interim plan is sent to the Government.  

Local Nature Recovery Strategy 

The draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland lays out practical actions to boost the area’s wildlife and natural spaces. It takes a big-picture look at how we can tackle habitat loss, shrinking species populations, and the effects of climate change.

Developed with input from local councils, environmental groups, farmers, landowners, and the community, the draft strategy focuses on what needs urgent action to build a healthier, more connected natural environment. It’s all about creating space for nature to flourish while supporting local people and their livelihoods.

The draft strategy highlights important habitats like woodlands, wetlands, and urban green spaces, along with key species that need our help. It also promotes using nature-based solutions to tackle climate challenges, improve ecosystems, and boost overall environmental health.

Community involvement is a big part of this, with chances to get involved through citizen science and partnerships aimed at protecting and restoring nature. The draft strategy offers a vision for the future, ensuring the region’s natural beauty can be enjoyed by generations to come.

It’s a call to action for everyone. By working together, we can protect the amazing landscapes and wildlife of Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland and create a more sustainable future for everyone.

Your feedback is wanted on the strategy and you can find out more information below, as well as details on various consultation events taking place across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The deadline is Friday 28 February.

Greener Future

Communities across Leicestershire are being given the opportunity to be part of a new initiative that is helping the county to move towards a low-carbon future. 

The GreenerFuture Project which runs throughout 2025, is bringing local people, organisations and businesses together to develop community energy projects.

Community energy is about communities having a stake in how we reduce energy use and generate renewable energy locally. Community energy organisations develop energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that also provide wider benefits for their community. These benefits may include generating funds for more community projects, creating green jobs and investment opportunities.

Ben Dodd, a Director of Green Fox Community Energy, said: "We are very lucky to have the GreenerFuture initiative in Leicestershire. As part of it, there will be direct funding and support for community energy projects and organisations to build their scale and impact.

"We are in already in touch with many interested community groups and individuals and would like to hear from more. If you are based in Leicestershire the idea of community energy is something that you are interested in, we’d love to hear from you."

GreenerFuture is being funded by Innovate UK and is being delivered by Leicestershire County Council, in partnership with Green Fox Community Energy, an established community energy organisation in Leicestershire, Community Energy South that supports the community energy sector to build its scale and impact throughout the UK and the Energy Systems Catapult, that is developing a Local Area Energy Plan for the county.

Find out more by emailing greenerfuture@leicester.ac.uk.

VE-Day - 80th anniversary

After the huge success of D-Day 80, it’s time to gear up for another big moment—VE-Day 80. This special occasion marks 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe—a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration.

On Thursday 8 May 2025, communities across Leicestershire are invited to get involved in the commemorations by hosting parties of celebration throughout the day in the streets, gardens, churches, town halls, pubs, and clubs.  

Ideas, inspiration and resources for making the most of the day is available at on the VE-Day 80 website, where you can also register your event.

Pharmaceutical needs consultation

Every 3 years, pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs) are carried out around the country to make sure that local community pharmacies (chemist shops) are meeting the pharmaceutical needs of local people.

We are asking people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for their views on pharmacy services and usage to feed into a new PNA.

The PNA helps the local NHS to manage and make decisions about requests from pharmacists or pharmacy businesses to set up new community pharmacies, merge businesses, or move premises within Leicestershire. They also provide insight into other areas where improvements to pharmacy services can be made.

Preparing PNAs is the responsibility of Health and Wellbeing Boards. These Boards bring together local authorities, the NHS and other key partners to improve the health and wellbeing of their local areas.

Have your say by completing the survey for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Adults and Communities Strategy

People are being asked for their views on Leicestershire County Council’s refreshed Adults and Communities Strategy for 2025-29. The Adults and Communities Department covers a wide range of services including libraries, heritage, museums and collections, cultural participation, adult learning and adult social care.

The council wants to hear residents views on these services, to help shape how they can continue to support wellbeing and the best possible outcomes for people in Leicestershire. Even if people are not currently using these services, they may need to in the future, so it’s important that people let us know what they think.

The consultation is open until Monday 14 April 2025. View the draft strategy and respond by visiting www.leicestershire.gov.uk/adults-and-communities-strategy.

For further information email A&Cconsultations@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 5013.

 People Zones 

People Zones are designed to create safer communities by building on their strengths, creating connections, and empowering everyone to play a role. By using Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), we focus on what’s strong with an area, not what’s wrong!

In 2022 we conducted research across our 3 People Zones:

-          New Parks, City

-          Bell Foundry, Loughborough

-          Thringstone & Whitwick, North West Leicestershire

Our People Zones Grant Fund is one way in which we are investing in these strengths & working directly with key community organisations to impact the communities they serve. To date we have funded approximately £250k in community-based projects.

Once such project is Team Hub in New Parks, who have been supporting local young people to build aspirations & make positive changes to their lives

Their project, 'Supporting Young People', meets all of the key themes from our New Parks People Zone research, the foundation for this particular funding stream: Health & Wellbeing, Substance Use, Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour, and Community Safety

Everyone can be involved in People Zones! To stay up to date, access a project, or get involved, you can:

-          Visit our website: www.PeopleZones.co.uk

-          Email: People.Zones@leics.police.uk

-          Social Media: @LeicPeopleZones

 Adults and Communities Engagement Panel

Established in 2019, the Adults & Communities Engagement Panel is made up of volunteer members who have personal experience of social care services, may care for someone who does or has a vested interest in helping us to improve and shape the way the department works. 

Members come from all walks of life, with a diverse array of physical and psychological needs. They provide valuable insights into how the service can best support vulnerable adults within the wider community to live active, independent, fulfilling lives. 

To promote the work that the panel are involved with and increase people’s awareness of their existence they produce a newsletter on a quarterly basis.  The newsletter is co-produced with members of the panel – Matthew and Bhavin – and includes articles, tips and information that people may find helpful or interesting. 

Copies of the newsletter can be found on the Leicestershire Communities website.

The panel meets monthly at County Hall and is always open to welcoming new members – for more information, please contact A&C-Strategy@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 4886.

 Get involved and help shape future newsletters 

We would really like to hear from you and want to use this newsletter to showcase your good news stories and other local news. If you would like to share events information, success stories, information about your organisation or other content, please get in touch with us via email at LeicestersireCommunities@leics.gov.uk

Newsletter deadlines for providing content are as follows:  

• May - 1 May 2025

 Become a Network Member 

Would you like to connect with like-minded people? If so, why not join the Communities Network by filling in a short Communities Network sign-up form.

By becoming a Communities Network member, you will receive up to date information, news and details of local events. Networking can encourage connections with other individuals or groups facing similar problems and issues and can help us work together towards community solutions and to continue to Build Great Communities in Leicestershire. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Communities Team 

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