Rooted in Community: Empowering Local Solutions for a Sustainable UK – ReGen Write Up

Sustainability may be a national or even global issues, but its impact is felt most powerfully at a local level. That’s where real change begins, with individuals acting within their own communities. It is that very idea that was at the heart of one of the first panels of the day one: Rooted in Community: Empowering Local Solutions for a Sustainable UK.

Chaired by Ned Gatenby, Community Climate Fund Senior Lead at BITC, the session brought together four panellists who each play a key role in driving grassroots change. They were: Philippa Banister, Director at Street Space; Simon Dixon, Admin and Logistics Lead at Climate Action Leeds; Becks Wheatley, Programme Manager at NextGenLeaders UK and Oluwasen Johnson, Climate Change Projects Officer at Blackburn Council.

Communities of the Future

To kick things off, Ned invited each panellist to share what they would love to see in the communities of the future.

Ned hoped for more pedestrian-first approaches in our urban spaces. Philippa echoed the importance of rethinking and reshaping the spaces we live in. Simon spoke about creating more space dedicated to non-commercial spaces where people can meet in, gather in and have fun in.

Empowering local opportunity

Ned set the tone for the discussion speaking about how, as individuals we are looking to move beyond a transition that seeks to leave people with a space, but also to provide the empowerment and enablement of communities to make their own opportunities as we evolve and change.

The discussion was set against a backdrop, in Ned’s words, of “turbulent international politics, volatile markets, constrained supply chains and increasing impacts from climate change”. Against this, local communities have a vital role to play in shaping their own sustainable futures.

So, what does a “sustainable UK” really mean?

What does sustainability mean in practice?

Becks was the first to respond, suggesting that the word ‘sustainable’ often means different things to different people. In her work with local schools, sustainability is more than working with nature and climate change; it’s all about wellbeing, safety, and opportunity.

She shared a powerful example: the ‘Ask for Nick’ initiative, where children in certain postcodes within the Sheffield area carry keyrings with their parent or carer’s contact details.

If they find themselves in an unsafe situation, they can go to a local shop and ‘Ask for Nick’. A simple community-driven idea that’s already helping reduce violence and improve safety.

Philippa followed, sharing how she and local schoolgirls transformed a nearby snicket – associated with fly-tipping and crime – into a vibrant, welcoming public space.

By challenging the girls to imagine throwing a party in the snicket on a £50 budget, the result was a joyful, theatrical-esque public space, led entirely by the community.

Oluwasen spoke passionately about the role young people can play, but only if adults lead by example. He highlighted the contradictions within the fashion industry where brands promote sustainability while continuing unsustainable practices.

He said that if young people grow up surrounded by a sustainable culture, they will take the message forward and create meaningful change.

Simon closed this section by reminding us that sustainability must go hand-in-hand with social justice. While it is about the climate and nature, it is also about tackling the social inequality we face and making sure everyone has access to a better, more resilient way of living.

Importantly, he stressed, sustainability must never be something that is seen as a luxury, but something that everyone can have regardless of their current situation.

Facing community tension

The panel then explored some of the tensions that arise when trying to introduce change at a local level, and how they work to overcome them, ensuring that people feel listened to.

Philippa highlighted that there is a fear for the choice of transport, such as concerns over car use. She shared the success of the ‘Play Street Pioneers’ project, where residents temporarily close roads so children can play safely outdoors.

With over 30 play streets planned in the Shipley area this summer, it is a project that relies on communication, shared goals and a community buy-in.

Becks spoke about the challenge of working with young people from deprived backgrounds, who may not see themselves as part of a ‘community’ in the traditional sense.

She recalled a group of girls who defined their community as “people who have periods”. A powerful insight that led to a project on period poverty. Together, they designed toiletry bags filled with donated products, including moon cups, and they even created visual instruction books for people who may not read or even speak English.

Small, thoughtful steps that are making a huge difference.

Oluwasen, speaking from the perspective of a local authority, reflected on the gap of knowledge and understanding between councils and residents. He highlighted that local government processes, such as planning applications, can feel slow and complex. But with conversations and collaboration, councils and communities can find common ground and move forward together.

Simon reinforced the idea that people can feel more empowered when they the change themselves. Community-led projects give people a sense of ownership and purpose. But for those projects to succeed, we need to create the spaces where people can come together to share expertise, ideas, connections and relationships.

He expressed that we need those spaces to enable these conversations to happen.

As we look to the future, the question is not if we can create a more sustainable UK but how can we ensure every voice, every idea and every community is part of that journey.