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Dear All, |
There’s a real sense of momentum in towns across the country. People are coming together, tackling challenges and building the kind of future they want to see – not by waiting for permission, but by doing.
Earlier this month, I joined the civil society summit to hear Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, outline a vision of “handing power to those with skin in the game” and talk about their ambition for government to work in partnership with communities, charities, businesses and funders to build a better future. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, described their goal as ensuring everyone can “live life to the full.”
This resonated with what we do every day at Our Future: backing and working alongside the people who are already doing work in their hometowns, from every sector.
Grimsby continues to be inspiring others, we recently heard from another area that has received Plan for Neighbourhoods funding that they have been inspired by the Our Future approach. They even hired a poet to create their town’s version of Lisa February’s vision for the future of Grimsby. It was great to talk with another town who wanted to celebrate their place and use the arts to capture their big vision.
As the interest in our work grows, we are growing the Our Future team to provide long term leadership in North East Lincs and support other places. The recruitment has just kicked off for two new roles, these are Please do share these roles with brilliant people who want to get stuck in to build a future where we and the hometowns we love thrive.
Thank you for being part of this, it is a joy to be making this happen alongside you.
Emily Bolton |
NEL Update |
Grimsby’s Vision Becoming a Reality
Something special is happening in Grimsby. What started as conversations about the town’s long-term vision has blossomed into a town-wide movement.
Last summer, Grimsby Together brought over 1,000 people and nearly 800 brilliant ideas into a shared vision for the town. These aren’t just numbers on a page, they represent people from across the community who believe in the town, are passionate about the future and are making it happen.
Now, the town has £20 million in long-term investment through the national Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. We’re working alongside communities in Grimsby and in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council to explore how best to invest funding from the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. We are doing this collectively, facilitating working groups across the town on themes that underpin the vision – from connecting to nature, safe homes and lives, opportunities for all, thriving businesses and town centre. We had an open recruitment for these groups and were overwhelmed by the response. We now have 80 people from every sector working together to feed into the plan highlighting: the amazing work already underway in these themes, the big ambitions for the future and what is needed to unblock change. The working group meetings this week have been full of ambition, fun, collectivism and a love for Grimsby. There is a desire to seize this moment and ensure that this is not “just another government spending programme” but a catalyst for change. Please do get involved, if you aren’t already, by sharing great work, big ideas or joining upcoming events. |
Spotlight Story: Mental Health Support, Reimagined Together |
What happens when mental health care is led with compassion, rooted in community and built on purpose? In Grimsby, NAViGO is showing us. Led by CEO Simon Beeton, NAViGO is more than a health provider, it’s a social enterprise that puts people first, treating everyone with dignity, respect and hope. We’ve been proud to work alongside NAViGO as they continue to provide wraparound support, build partnerships and reimagine care not just for individuals, but for the whole community. This is leadership that listens, adapts and believes in local strength.
This is a story about what’s possible when we come together. |
Rochdale Update |
Listening & Learning
Over the past couple of months, Rochdale has opened its arms to us in the most wonderful way. From community centres and sports venues to local businesses, charities and residents, people have welcomed us into their conversations about what home could become. We’ve hosted pop-up chats and community sessions and what we’re hearing fills us with hope. We have met some amazing people who have been honest about the challenges and also passionate about their desire to see the future of Rochdale shaped by the ambitions and work of people in the town. |
If you are in Rochdale and would like to be involved, or have any questions, please do get in touch with Killian and Jet at To find out more about our early work in Rochdale, please visit: forgenerationstocome.org/ |
Wrexham Update |
Foundations For Long-Term Change
In Wrexham, we’ve been working with local leaders who believe deeply in the power of their city and its people. Together, we’re exploring how the Plan for Neighbourhoods can spark something even bigger, with the City grasping its moment in the global spotlight to create long term change that everyone in the area is part of.
The momentum here is real and growing. The City Board and its partners have found creative ways to bring more voices into conversations about Wrexham’s future. We’re working alongside them to build the support and structures that will help local groups and residents lead the way to create the future they want for their city. |
Recruitment |
Join the Our Future team:
We are starting to grow the Our Future team, building long-term leadership in North East Lincolnshire and supporting other places. Recruitment kicks off today for two roles: NE Lincs Operational Lead Please do share these with brilliant people who believe in the future of our country, get stuck in to make things happen and would be passionate about this work. We are working with Prospectus to ensure the process is independent and so do get in touch with them directly with any questions or ideas.
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Key Dates |
Come Together
If you care about your community and want to connect with others who share that same spark, we’d love to welcome you to one of our upcoming Home Wins gatherings.
This network is for anyone who’s moved away for work, study, or adventure but still feels a strong pull to the place they call home. Home Wins brings people together, both online and in person, to share ideas, stories and energy for their hometowns, no matter where they are now. |
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Home Wins Network – Upcoming Dates Come along to share ideas, meet new people and explore what becomes possible when communities lead the way.
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Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire Thursday 18 September 2025 |
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Rochdale – Talks on the Terrace Our next pop up event in Rochdale is Talks on the Terrace, which will take place on Wednesday 13th August, 12:30pm – 2:00pm. There will be light bites, drinks and plenty of good conversation.
If you are local to Rochdale and would like to find out more, or get involved, please email Killian and Jet at hello@our-future.io |
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Thank you for taking the time to read this update and for being part of it. It is wonderful to work alongside you and see the change that is possible.
Emily |
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