Happy New Year! It’s been a while since we were last in touch, but we’re pleased to announce we’ve published aCommunity Feedback Reportas a result of all your great comments and insights about Harlow, Gilston and surrounding areas. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1674050787/projects/qolmap/158e86dd-8aa9-4418-ad4b-8018cdb64205.png" /> The report outlines that preserving green space, better public transport and the importance of community are key local priorities. Here are are few more highlights from the report: <li>65% of people surveyed felt a strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood, beating the national average.</li><li>More than half of respondents recorded positive comments about their local area.</li><li>People feel like public spaces and the town centre could be better maintained and noted the need for more investment into local social infrastructure like youth and transport services.</li><li>People feel, on the whole, that it’s difficult to personally influence local decision making.</li><li>Most people are dissatisfied with buses and public transport services, with buses being too expensive and infrequent.</li><li>Respondents are concerned about the negative impact of expected growth, such as pressure on school and health services, as well as traffic and anti-social behaviour.</li><li>It is clear that local green spaces are highly valued and should be protected, and people appreciate how many there are and how nearby they are.</li> We’ve taken all the findings, including the specific comments you made on the map to the Harlow, Gilston and Garden Town (HGGT) Team and have given them recommendations based on your feedback. These recommendations are in the process of being approved by HGGT. Please watch this space for any more updates or information. And for more information about HGGT please visit: <a href="https://hggt.co.uk/news">https://hggt.co.uk/news</a> YOU CAN ACCESS A DIGITAL COPY OF THE REPORT BY CLICKING HERE: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/YQOLCommunity">https://tinyurl.com/YQOLCommunity</a> The purpose of this project and report was to give you the chance to influence how the Garden Town moves forward. It has been a privilege to work on this project to get a real understanding of the issues that matter to the people of Harlow, Gilston and the surrounding areas. We&#39;ve had some fascinating conversations with residents and so thank you again to everyonewho took the time to speak to us, filled out our survey or left a comment on the digital map. All the best, The Your Quality of Life Team

Your Quality of Life Community Report is Here!

Hello there! Community engagement for the ‘Your Quality of Life’ project officially finished a couple of weeks ago! You can no longer comment on the survey or map but can still see what others have said. And look out for those voucher winning emails! We’ve started the process of going through your comments and survey responses. In this newsletter we will briefly sum up some of the interesting findings so far. It was a real honour hearing views about your quality of life. The fantastic spirit of the people from Harlow, Gilston and surrounding areas was clear to see and with such great communities, the future is certainly bright. We have also said a farewell for now to our local community researchers Ibrahim and Emma-Lea, who you&#39;ll have seen out and about and might have spoken to at a local pop-up. They are shining examples of a younger generation determined to make a positive impact in their local area. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1666881826/projects/qolmap/4aaf09f7-8931-4abc-988e-a75c9d7697e7.jpg" /> Some numbers: 7,000 people visited the survey website/platform 1,015 contributions were made to the map and survey 553 individuals responded 49 pop up events and drop-ins were held capturing 429 peoples’ feedback/opinions <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1666871076/projects/qolmap/6fce7375-3f27-43e8-837a-97ef06a0ff45.png" /> So, what happens next? We’re analysing all of the comments on the map and the surveys that were completed. We’ll then be putting together a report for the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town team, as well as, importantly, a community report later in the year and this will go out far and wide as both digital and printed copies. The reports will include an overview of what people said they like, dislike and need in Harlow, Gilston and surrounding areas - their general thoughts and feelings, as well as key findings from across the themes of community, health, movement, nature, sense of control, and wonder. It will also include a response from the HGGT team and notes how they plan on taking your feedback on board. Watch this space for more updates! If you would like to hear about the HGGT project generally and sign up for the quarterly newsletter on all things Garden Town, then please visit: https://hggt.co.uk/have-your-say Thanks again and all the best, The Quality of Life Team Any questions please email: mail@qolf.org

PROJECT ENGAGEMENT HAS ENDED!

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1665492243/projects/qolmap/351a752d-ee25-4b56-89a8-22e7e8492927.jpg" /> Time has flown by and it’s the final week of the Quality of Life Mapping project. <a href="https://qolmap.commonplace.is/">Please comment on the map or survey by Friday (14th)</a> if you haven&#39;t yet done so - and remember there’s still vouchers up for grabs! It’s been a massive privilege to talk about what matters for you in your community, to hear your stories and your hopes for the future. Thank you again to all those who have already commented. You have helped empower local voices and highlight how your quality of life is impacted by your local environment. Your comments will help shape positive changes in Harlow and surrounding areas. Highlights from the last couple of weeks We visited the Community Builder Project at Harlow Playhouse. Club members took part in a regular quiz but were still happy to tell us their thoughts about what it’s like to live in Harlow (in exchange for us helping them with a couple of tricky quiz questions!). The group were really positive about Harlow and acknowledged it had changed a lot over the years they had lived there - over 50 years for many. It was clear members really valued the sense of community in the town, but they would like to see better shops in the Town Centre and really miss the big Marks &amp; Spencer. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1665492368/projects/qolmap/4fcf03be-3f82-4405-bf3d-b10073301e7b.jpg" /> We were also invited to the Hindu Society Navaratri event at Lady Fatima Church. What a fantastic event! Guests took part in the Be Tali Garba (Dance) and Dandiya/Ramjanyu (Stick Dance). MP Robert Halfon and the High Sheriff of Essex, Nick Alston, were also in attendance. Guests shared how much they particularly valued the Town Park as a space to exercise and enjoy with family. What will happen next? Whilst we are wrapping up the engagement period for the project, we’ve started the process of report writing and data analysis. We’re aiming to share this report with you and the wider public towards the end of the year. We’ll be sending out a summary newsletter at the end of the engagement period with some learnings so far and a few highlights. Have a wonderful week, The Quality of Life Team

LAST CHANCE TO COMMENT!

Share your views and help shape future plans for Harlow, Gilston and the surrounding area.