Healthy Homes Forum Workshop 4

Healthy Homes Forum Workshop 4

On Saturday 8th November, the Healthy Homes Forum came back together for our fourth workshop.

During this session, residents worked together to develop recommendations on what is needed to make healthier homes a reality and how their ideas could be put into action. 

Overview of the day

• We began with a recap of our previous workshops and heard an update from the architects on their design work.

• Residents reviewed ideas from previous workshops, looked at similar projects from other places, and discussed what’s needed to make their ideas work in Queens Park.

• We reviewed a draft of the Healthy Homes Guide with residents suggesting changes to make it more useful for all Avenues residents.

• We discussed how the Forum, the Council and the wider community can work together to turn ideas into action.

• Residents presented their recommendations to councillors from Westminster City Council and Queens Park Community Council.

• Councillors thanked residents for their time and energy and committed to ongoing collaboration.

• We closed with residents’ reflections on the Forum and hopes for bringing ideas to life.

What we heard

• The Healthy Homes Forum has generated strong energy and enthusiasm. Residents are eager to work together with each other, the wider community and the Council, to turn ideas into reality.
• Residents expect the Council to maintain momentum, including resourcing and supporting community-led action and using its powers as a local authority to help deliver real change.
• Residents valued the connections built through the Forum's four workshops as well as the knowledge and sense of empowerment gained.
• The Forum's four workshops represent the start of a partnership between the Avenues community and the Council.

Recommendations

Resident feedback

"I have learned so much and felt really valued. I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with the people I have met." 

"We've got such an amazing energy here. We want to take this forward, otherwise we'll lose a lot of momentum from a very highly motivated, good bunch of people." 

"I’m more committed and engaged with my neighbours and community and am motivated to become a Healthy Homes advocate.”

"I'm motivated to learn more and am now embarking on a Level 2 retrofit course at college, so potentially pivoting my career!"

Next steps

• The Council is working with local stakeholders and Forum members to plan how each recommendation can be taken forward. This will include short workshops to explore specific ideas in more detail.
• In March, the Council will publish a formal response to each of the Forum's recommendations alongside the Healthy Homes Guide.