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Gateshead community building is our first Hosted Study Tour

Submitted by Melissa Lacide

Two weeks ago, on Friday 10 May we visited sustainable building project The Davidson Building, home of Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for the first of our Hosted Study Tours, a new peer mentoring activity to enable Glass-House beneficiaries (and clients) to showcase their achievements while supporting other groups in their community led design journey.

The entrance to Gateshead CAB

Although the original Trustees and staff involved in the building project have since moved on, Alison Dunn (Chief Executive) and David Carr (Building and Finance Manager) provided an engaging and informative tour of their building, including a presentation about the different stages of the design process where they openly shared their learning, experience and knowledge about the trials, tribulations and successes of this project.

This community led design project has enabled Gateshead CAB to provide improved and increased services and facilities to communities in Gateshead, particularly those who are most in need. The new location of the building has provided a positive, unexpected and impact, enabling the organisation to form new relationships, reach other communities and access networks in the area.

The learning from this tour has been invaluable for all who attended and we left Gateshead feeling both inspired and fortunate to have been at The Davidson Building to celebrate their achievements. Below are a few of the photos we captured on the day.

In the basement space with Building and Finance Manager David Carr

David talks about the working office space for CAB staff

The focal point of the building, the inner, outdoor courtyard space

Exploring the sanctuary of the courtyard space

It's in the detail! Attendees investigate the finer details of the exterior of the Davidson building

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Why Places Matter - new booklet for local councils and communities

Submitted by Louise Dredge

We're delighted to share with you a new booklet we have contributed to - Why Places Matter - which makes the case for giving communities a voice in shaping their places.

Produced by Living Streets with the People and Places Coalition, of which The Glass-House is a member, the booklet is being sent to all councils in England and offers a practical manifesto for councillors and communities on how they can transform the places where they live.

The booklet also includes signposting to useful information and tools that can help communities and local councils work together effectively to shape their neighbourhoods.

DOWNLOAD THE BOOKLET

The People and Places Coalition was convened by Living Streets and includes Age UK, English Heritage, Keep Britain Tidy, Civic Voice, the Cabe team at Design Council, Sustrans and The Glass-House.

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