Fourteen young girls gain skills in designing community spaces

Fourteen young girls have gained skills in designing community spaces thanks to a partnership between First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) and one of its contractors Ridge LLP.

The £6,500 collaboration funded not-for-profit community group Fullcircle nw CIC to deliver Girls: Designing Our Space - a project for girls aged 13 to 18 to be involved in the co-designing of parks and other public areas. 

The four days of sessions in July combined consultation, community design and drone skills training to help young people shape local places to suit women and girls, build their confidence and explore potential careers linked to the built environment. 

Ridge LLP put in nearly £1,000 and 35 hours of pro bono staff time with FCHO making up the rest of the nearly £5,500 in funding. 

The sessions - also supported by Inclusive Bytes CIC - took place at either FCHO’s Nelson Way Community Centre in Chadderton or at the nearby Coalshaw Green Park in Chadderton for the drone use stages. 

FCHO sustainability manager Nicole Stonier said: “This has been a very successful project that has provided young girls from our communities with first-hand experience of consultation and community design, while helping them understand how local spaces can be made safer, more inclusive and more responsive to community needs. 

“It was also a chance for them to speak with industry experts, including building surveyors, technology specialists and colleagues from FCHO to get a flavour of careers in this area. 

“Many thanks to Ridge LLP and Fullcircle nw CIC for their valuable partnership in ensuring this brilliant project was delivered. I know all the girls really enjoyed it.” 

Social value consultant at Ridge LLP Chloe Melvin said: “We’re proud to support a project that gives girls the opportunity to explore drone technology and the range of careers it can lead to across construction and the built environment.  

“Just as importantly, it gives them a meaningful role in shaping community spaces that feel safer, more inclusive and better suited to the needs of girls and young women.” 

Director at Oldham-based Fullcircle nw CIC Rebecca Drake added: “We’re incredibly grateful to FCHO for funding this initiative and for bringing together expert partners such as Ridge, whose experience and insight will add so much value. 

“At Fullcircle, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We believe the best outcomes come from working together, sharing knowledge and ensuring that the voices of girls and young women are at the centre of designing spaces that truly meet their needs. “