The ideas were flowing at Make:Shift 2016 on Saturday as people from across the city shared their thoughts on how to 'Change Wolverhampton with an Idea'.

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Participants also received funding and business advice, and got involved in workshops designed to inspire people to create or enhance their own ideas.

Ideas put forward at the City of Wolverhampton Council event included:

  • skills sharing sessions where people can share any skill at all, from meditation to knitting
  • a follow up Make:Shift event in November to support people to come up with new ideas (details below)
  • a series of smaller Make:Shift get togethers in various parts of the city to engage people in localities
  • using networks such as the Ethnic Minority Council and the Interfaith Network to help reach out to new Make:Shift members

All activities will now be supported by the council's economic inclusion team.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "Make:Shift is in its fifth year and continues to be a truly inspirational forum. The people of Wolverhampton never let us down when it comes to creativity - and we are delighted we can help foster the wealth of ideas put forward.

"Plans are already underway to expand the impact of Make:Shift all year round."

Ideas from previous events that have taken off, include:

  • the Camera Obscura at Boundary Way Allotments - a space that encourages people to slow down and stop and stare at the beauty of the everyday
     
  • the Social Steam Engine - an organisation working with people with mental health issues and learning disabilities that provides community activities by encouraging people to pool their direct payments
     
  • Gatis Community Space - space on the site of the former adventure playground in Whitmore Reans, which encourages the whole community to have pride in their neighbourhood, have fun, get healthier, learn new things and break down any cultural barriers which may exist

The Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council will be hosting an Active Community Session as a follow up Make:Shift event, at its Temple Street base, on Tuesday 8 November, between 12pm and 2pm.

For more information about this and Make:Shift please contact Sam Axtell (Tuesdays to Thursdays) on 01902 554918 or email sam.axtell2@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

  • released: Tuesday 18 October, 2016