The Future is… Birkenhead
We gathered with PLACED, Convenience Gallery, Make Hamilton Square, Open Door Charity, Bloom Building, at Future Yard, Birkenhead to discuss ‘regeneration’ (is that even the right word? — more on that below) of the town supported by Wirral Council.
As a group, we wanted to give people a chance to see and learn more about the exciting work of some of Birkenhead’s grassroots social enterprises and community-minded organisations. Alongside that, we hoped that we could facilitate a wider conversation about how this kind of activity fits into regeneration and can be supported.
To start the event, participants were invited on a walking tour to see some work of our excellent event partners and some of Birkenhead’s most exciting venues and organisations.
Heading back to Future Yard we started with a series of interactive activities, including mapping, writing, voting, and questions developed by PLACED, along with inviting people to draw on light box panels provided by Convenience Gallery. This was followed by ‘rotating debating’, a format that draws panel speakers and questions from the audience to bring as many voices as possible to the panel and reflect a range of expertise. Our audience panel included planners, architects, social enterprise owners, Birkenhead residents, support workers, and academics. A big thank you from us to everyone who volunteered to join the panel and who submitted a question.
From our activities, we managed to cover a lot. We created an impressive map of 45 of the great spaces and places in and around Birkenhead. From heritage assets to brand-new youth services and exciting cultural venues.
We also tried to piece together the puzzle of regeneration for Birkenhead, learning more about what our attendees felt was important to support grassroots action. Ideas included making spaces desirable and safe for walking and cycling, improving public transport, and community ownership of assets.
