Local Events

December Engagement Highlights

🛠 Tuesday 2 December – Repairs Task & Finish Group
Our final meeting of 2025 focused on repairs. Thank you to everyone who joined us at St James Lane, Coventry. Customers have provided fantastic feedback throughout the year, and we are not finished yet! Our next focus group will take place in 2026. Find out more here 👉Repairs task and finish group

🏡 Monday 9 December – Estates Service Review Focus Group
We met online to review estate services following the recent customer survey. This was a successful focus group, gaining feedback from our customers and ensuring their voices are heard. They were able to share their experiences to help make this service better for everyone. Find out more here 👉Estates service review

💰 Thursday 11 December – Income Policy Focus Group
This session gave us valuable insight into customer experiences and feedback about income and collection processes. We also asked for input on our Policy on a Page and what customers would like to see included. Find out more here 👉 Income policy review

🤝 Monday 15 December – Warndon Community Hub
A friendly morning session at Oasis Warndon Community Hub in Worcester, connecting with the local community face-to-face. This is part of our regular pop-up visits – you can find us here every six weeks.

🎉 Thursday 18 December – Citizen Local Fund Visit & Christmas Party
This amazing project supports people in our Citizen communities. We had the honour of attending the event, seeing the fantastic work happening locally and supported by the Citizen Local Fund. It was a great way to celebrate the end of the year! Find out more here 👉 Awarded Citizen Local Fund Projects

✅ Customers have started voting on what types of engagement they would like to see.

👉 Please keep voting — your feedback shows us what matters most to you, where you’d like us to be, and how you want to get involved.

💡 Your input will give us valuable insight for 2026 and help us plan the best ways to engage with you.

So far, we’ve had two votes for funding:
🎨 Family-friendly activities and workshops
🏠 Housing advice and support drop-ins

💭 Got another idea? Complete the quick survey below to suggest it!

On Thursday the 23rd October we held a pop-up event at Nauls Mill House in Coventry to talk with customers about plans to replant trees and shrubs in the communal garden.

The event was all about giving residents a chance to see the new plants that will be added to the space. The replanting is happening because some trees were damaged during nearby building work.

We’re now working to replace them with a mix of trees and plants that will make the area look better and help local wildlife too.

Even though the weather wasn’t great, over 20 customers came along to chat with our team and our partners from Creative Gardens. It was a great chance to answer questions, share ideas, and talk about how we can work together to improve outdoor spaces.

🌱 Planting will begin in November, and we can’t wait to see the garden come to life in spring!

This event is a great example of how we’re working with customers and local teams to make our communities greener, brighter, and more welcoming.

On 20th October, our Engagement Team joined Worcester City Council, two Housing Officers, and our Money Advice team at a free drop-in event for local residents.

The event brought together different support services in one place – offering help with housing, money, and wellbeing. Even though the weather wasn’t on our side, it was great to be out in the community, ready to answer questions and talk about how customers can get involved.

We were proud to stand alongside other local organisations, all working together to support people in Worcester. Events like this are a great way to build connections and show that help is available when it’s needed.

🤝 Working together makes a difference – and we’re here to listen.

In 2024, the Citizen Local Fund proudly supported a heartwarming community initiative at The Primary Plot, nestled in the Earlsdon Allotments on Beechwood Avenue. On 10th October, the Engagement Team will be attending the 🎉 Pumpkin Party and Official Opening of the Brand New Learning Pod — a celebration of growth, learning, and local connection!

• 🕒 Event Time: 3:30–5:30 PM
  🎤 Official Opening: 4:00 PM
  🥣 Soup & Bread Rolls Served: 4:15 PM (Suggested donation: £2 per person)
• 📍 Location: The Primary Plot, Earlsdon Allotments, Beechwood Avenue
• 🚶‍♀️ Travel Advice: Please walk or park off-site where possible to support sustainability 🌍

🍂 The flyer is beautifully decorated with autumn leaves, glowing candles, and a cozy pumpkin centerpiece — capturing the seasonal spirit and community warmth this event promises.

📚 The new Learning Pod will be a dedicated space for educational activities, workshops, and local engagement — a lasting legacy made possible through Citizen’s support 🙌.

Come along, celebrate with us, and see how local funding is helping communities grow! 🌻

The Forgotten Generations Exhibition

At a recent focus group around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, one of our customers shared powerful memories from his time in the Armed Forces. He spoke passionately about an exhibition that meant a great deal to him — and we’re proud to help share it with others.

📍 Midlands Library
🗓️ 25 September – 12 December 2025 (during library opening hours)

The Forgotten Generations exhibition commemorates the public service of Black British veterans from World War II and later conflicts. Curated by Descar Dacosta, it shines a light on the bravery, sacrifice and resilience of those who served — stories that have too often been overlooked.

This is more than history. It’s a chance to:

• Reflect on the contributions of Black Britons to our shared heritage
• Learn from the past to build a more inclusive future
• Celebrate voices that deserve to be heard

📧 For more info: info@theforgottengenerations.co.uk
📞 Contact: +44 7405 081779

#TheForgottenGenerations #EDI #BlackHistory #VeteransVoices #InclusiveHeritage #CommunityEngagement #CitizenHousing

On Thursday 5th September, the Engagement Team headed to Credenhill, Hereford for a special community event – one that was inspired by a local customer who asked us to do something for the children in the area, following the closure of the local park.

We were really pleased to be joined by a Neighbourhood Officer, which helped build stronger links between Citizen teams and the local community. It was a great example of how working together across teams can build trust, show we care, and help make good things happen.

We wanted to bring the community together, and this event was all about the children – giving them a fun afternoon to enjoy while also starting conversations about what comes next for the area.

It turned out to be a brilliant afternoon not just for the kids, who loved the crafts, games, and “Guess the Sweets” competition, but also for the grown-ups, who had the chance to chat with us about what they’d like to see happen in their community. One child told us she “really loved the crafts,” and it was lovely to see so many children getting involved and having fun.

We were also there to begin conversations about an upcoming consultation with residents. This gave people the chance to tell us what matters most to them and where they think improvements should happen. It’s early days, but this kind of engagement is key to making sure we’re working with communities, not just in them.

This event was a great reminder of how important it is to listen, connect, and work together – both with our customers and across the business. It’s just the start of our journey with Credenhill, and we’re excited to keep working with the community to shape what comes next.

On Sunday 14th September 2025, Coventry will come together for a vibrant celebration of community at Vanny Fest 2025, held at The Coventrians RFC, Yelverton Road, Coventry CV6 4AF, starting from 11 AM.

🌟 What’s Vanny Fest All About?

Vanny Fest is a family-friendly event filled with music, activities, and opportunities to connect with local organisations. It’s a day designed to bring people together, celebrate community spirit, and offer support and information in a fun, welcoming environment.

🤝 Powered by Local Partnerships

This event is proudly supported by Vanny Radio, Coventry Youth Partnership, and Citizen — and is made possible through the Citizen Local Fund, which helps bring community-led ideas to life.

👋 We’ll Be Joining the Celebrations!

Our Engagement Team will be at Vanny Fest 2025, joining in with the celebrations and connecting with the community. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet face-to-face, enjoy the day together, and be part of an event that brings people and organisations closer.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there and celebrating everything that makes Coventry’s communities so special!

📍 Event Details

• Date: Sunday 14th September 2025
• Time: From 11 AM
• Location: The Coventrians RFC, Yelverton Road, Coventry CV6 4AF
• Contact:📱 07904 100074 / 07507 523242 📧 vannyradio12@gmail.com

Your Voice Matters: How We’re Reaching Out Across Our Communities

Since November, our Engagement Team has taken part in 52 pop-ups and 24 events across local communities — and we’re just getting started!

💡What is a Pop-Up?

A pop-up is when we visit a place where something is already happening in your area like a foodbank, social supermarket, or local group. It’s a chance for us to speak to customers face-to-face, listen to what matters to you, and share useful information.

We’ve had fantastic feedback from these visits!
At our pop-ups, we’ve spoken with over 154 customers, had great conversations about our services, and welcomed many new members to our Citizen Together Hub.

🎉What is an Event?

An event is something organised by Citizen Housing to bring people together around a specific topic or need. For example, in Willenhall, Coventry, we held an event focused on damp and mould, where customers could speak to experts, get advice, and access support.

These events are designed to be informative, supportive, and community-driven — helping you get the answers and assistance you need in a friendly, local setting.

We are committed to being out in the community, making it easier for you to speak to us in person. It’s another way for you to ask questions, raise concerns, and get support.

At one of our recent pop-ups, we even helped a customer join our focus groups. They now take part regularly and are helping to shape the services we offer.

These pop-ups and events help us reach people we might not connect with otherwise — and they give you a chance to get involved and have your say.

👉 Would you like to suggest a place where we should pop up next?
We’d love to hear from you! Please fill out this quick survey and let us know where you’d like to see our Engagement Team:
📝 Community Events- Have your say!

We’re really proud of what’s been achieved so far, and we’re looking forward to meeting even more of you out in the community soon!

🎉 Family Fiesta – A Day of Fun for All Ages!

We’re excited to invite you to the Family Fiesta, a free community event designed to bring neighbours together through fun, sport, and connection.

📍 Location: Robert Cramb Avenue, CV4 9LA
📅 Date: Friday 23rd August
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

What to Expect:

• 🥅 Goalkeeper Competition – in support of the Eamonn Fallon Goalkeeper Charity
• 🏏 Cricket
• 🥏 Disc Golf
• 🎲 Board Games with Max Parsons
• 🧩 Novus
• 🍔 Food & Refreshments
• 🎯 Games for all ages

This event is all about bringing our community closer together, and we’d love to see you there!

👋 Meet the Citizen Engagement Team

Our Citizen Engagement Team will be attending the Family Fiesta! Come and speak to us to find out more about engagement opportunities at Citizen while enjoying this fantastic day out. Whether you want to get involved, share ideas, or learn more about what’s happening in your area—we’re here to chat.

📱 Contact

For more information, contact Marcus Lapsa (Trees Group Events Coordinator) via WhatsApp: 07976 780746 or find us on Facebook: Trees Residents Group