Over 400 years ago Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge bought land in Cleethorpes. They even owned the land on which Blundell Park, Grimsby Town’s ground, is on. There is a long-standing connection between the College and the town.
Sidney Sussex College are keen to contribute to the change underway in the town and hosted the first Our Future citizens retreat at the College in early April. This retreat was a great opportunity to strengthen the collective leadership for change, be inspired with new ideas and push forward the work. A group of 30 leaders from every sector came together to spend three days exploring the big visions for the town and how we are going to make them happen – always putting relationships first.
The shared history between the College and the town provided the perfect backdrop for “Cathedral thinking” about what would be possible if we took a long term, inspired, collective view to building a future we were proud to leave for the next generation.
So much action, plans and new friendships came out of our time together including:
- A list of 20 things that make a great Grimsby leader
- A desire to create the world’s first relationship centric town
- Collaborations around working with young people leaving care
- Plans for a Christmas Number 1 – “A fish for Christmas”
It isn’t often we get the space to reflect, spend time together, dream about and plan for the future.
In a world where hope feels in short supply the retreat was the perfect antidote – full of optimism for the future, dynamism to create it and so much joy in spending time together.