Partnership work at community level is kickstarting an inner-city neighbourhood in Gloucester where people experience challenges.

Work is underway in Coney Hill to build a healthier and happier neighbourhood via a new community connector role supported by the multi-agency *Gloucester Integrated Locality Partnership (ILP).

The role has been introduced with the aim of engaging and connecting residents and organisations, helping people to access community support, advice and activities and creating cohesion and new opportunities.

Tracey Nicholson, who has been in post as a community connector since September 2025 believes ‘no conversation is too small’ in Coney Hill where she is working to bring people together and empower them through the use of shared spaces, free and low-cost activities and community initiatives.

“I live in this community, so making it better and in doing so improving residents’ health and wellbeing is important to me,” she said.

“Having a sense of belonging is critical to leading a fulfilling life and I know this was important to me when I first moved to Coney Hill and still is.

“People can feel isolated when they are new to an area but I am of the belief that no conversation is too small. Sometimes it’s the little things that people might need help with.

“I think after COVID-19 people have experienced anxiety and isolation so it’s more important than ever to be connected.”

Coney Hill became a priority area for the ILP due to some of the challenges faced by residents which impact on their daily lives including income, employment, education, skills and training, health and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services and living environment.

The ILP adopted a ‘no agenda approach’ which involves engaging the local community to understand what’s important to them and then creating an action plan.

A multi-agency working group that includes schools, councils, the Venture Community Hub, Gloucestershire Health and Care Foundation Trust, Active Gloucestershire and Gloucester City Homes will help put the plan into action.

Adrian Goode, Locality Manager for Gloucester City ILP and Cheltenham ILP at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said:

“The action plan is really driving things forward and with a community connector in place to work with residents to bring things to fruition we will be able to go back to the community with a ‘you said, we did’ list which is really positive.”

Recently, Tracey organised a cinema night at nearby St Oswald’s Church which generated valuable feedback after the event which drew around 140 people.

Future ambitions include setting up a walking group and running a seedling swap with a view to growing vegetables to serve the nearby food hub.

There are also plans for blood pressure checks at the local pharmacy and a community noticeboard in May Tree Square.

“Some of these things we can get up and running quickly,” Tracey said.

“Pop up fruit and veg stalls could help with food and cost of living challenges and we also want to pilot low-cost social activities like jumble sales and activity days.

“It’s about thinking about what we have, mapping our assets and then building on that,” she said.

“For instance one of the obstacles we experience in Coney Hill is that we lack community buildings, and shared spaces really promote social connection.

“However our green spaces are an asset so there might be an opportunity to create pollinator pathways which create habitats for pollinating insects.”

Next steps include organising a mini consultation for a noticeboard in May Tree Square.

“Giving people pride and a sense of ownership helps strengthen the community and creates opportunities for making social connections,” said Tracey.

Notes:

*An ILP is a non-statutory partnership made up of Local Government, NHS, the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and the housing sector as well as communities, people and wider partners including police, education and others.

ILPs work to reduce health inequalities (unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society) and improve health and wellbeing in general.