THE Okehampton-based Devon Heartlands Community Forum was spotlighted at a recent seminar for key influencers held in London.
Chaired by Patrick Butler, head of Society, Health and Education for the Guardian and Observer Newspapers, the seminar included representatives from the New Economics Foundation, the Local Government Information Unit, Urban Forum, Rural Livelihoods Research, the Young Foundation, Action for Communities in Rural England, Action for Market Towns and Essex and Devon County Councils.
It was organised by the influential Carnegie UK Trust to consider a variety of approaches for effective community-led planning and engagement. The trust had selected Devon Heartlands as a case study for the seminar, describing how the organisation had developed a vibrant local community forum for the people of Okehampton that was a model of local engagement.
Paul Delahoy, project officer with Devon Heartlands, said: 'There are many market towns and parishes across the country that have gone through community planning and regeneration exercises and have delivered some fantastic projects for their communities, just like Devon Heartlands, but sustaining the engagement of local people is the key to long term success and that's where a community forum like ours comes in.'
Dr Kate Braithwaite, of the Carnegie UK Trust, endorsed the need to maintain a grassroots approach and to value the contribution people from all walks of life make to their communities.
She added: 'There are groups of people coming together just like Devon Heartlands all over the country and we want this to be recognised, valued and supported, so we can create the kind of resilient and empowered communities we all want to see.'
Devon Heartlands Community Forum is free and open to all. It is held on the first Wednesday every month from 2pm at Okehampton's Ockment Centre and welcome enquiries and guests.