In the spring and summer of 2023, community groups and policy-makers came together to imagine a future where more people are rolling up their sleeves to look after the Crane Valley’s rivers, parks and green spaces. The gatherings were commissioned by Crane Valley Partnership, which aims to restore the Crane Valley (home to one of London’s most natural river systems), conserve surrounding habitats and improve public access so that nearby communities can enjoy contact with the natural world.
Over three events, participants told their stories, shared experiences, learned from each other’s successes and mistakes, and began to paint a picture of how we all might better work together - policy-makers, community groups, and local residents, businesses and organisations - to care for the Crane Valley.
I think one of the things I’ve learnt more than anything else is that even in an area you think you know, when you come and be part of a group like this you’re learning something which you didn’t know before. And together, we’re all part of a bigger scheme of things.
This website captures the hopes and aspirations that were shared along that journey, including five common themes and a number of shared goals. Crane Valley CIC, the organisation that hosts the Crane Valley Partnership and seeks to foster more connection between community groups, the public and policy-makers, has also responded below with some suggested ideas for meeting the goals.
Now, these hopes and goals will be shared with the policy-makers and local institutions that make up the Crane Valley Partnership (including five local authorities, the Environment Agency and Thames Water), as well as many more community groups across the Crane Valley, as an invitation to join in and share your own hopes for the Crane Valley.
The event series was commissioned and funded by Crane Valley Partnership and Thames Water, and delivered by Let’s Go Outside and Learn, Habitats & Heritage and New Citizenship Project
“While we live in different neighbourhoods and boroughs, we can really feel now that we are part of something bigger. And we want more people to feel part of a larger picture, because everyone has a role to play in caring for the Crane Valley’s rivers, parks and green spaces. The more we work together, the more we can achieve.
To do this, however, we need more chances to connect and learn from each other. We also want to see more dialogue and partnership between community groups, local authorities, water companies and other local institutions. In particular, we really need to work across boundaries if we are to deliver long-lasting improvements across the whole Crane Valley.
As community groups, we want to find new ways to engage local people: to hear their stories, understand their hopes and motivations, and create different ways for people to take part. We want to enable people from all walks of life, backgrounds and cultures to take action to care for the Crane Valley, including more young people.
We all have a part to play. Policy-makers, local institutions, community groups, local residents, businesses, schools and colleges can all contribute to restoring and sustaining the health of the Crane Valley in ways that will benefit people today and for generations to come. Working together more closely may mean that we all have to step out of our comfort zone from time to time, but we are ready to make the effort.”
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Images: clockwise from the top: Friends of Yeading Walk, Friends of Kneller Gardens, Harrow Nature Conservation Forum