The Aylesbury Community Board was scheduled to discuss updates on community priorities and partnership highlights, including initiatives focused on youth employment, local environmental projects, and health and wellbeing programmes. The meeting also included a review of actions from the previous meeting and an overview of upcoming community activities.

Community Board Priorities and Partnership Highlights

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates on various community initiatives and partnerships. Waseem Hussain, the Community Board Manager, was scheduled to present an overview of these priorities.

In This Together Initiative: Afzal Hussain was expected to provide an update on the In This Together initiative.

LEAP Partnership: Shay Fenlon was scheduled to present on the LEAP Partnership.

Youth Concern: Hannah Asquith was due to provide an update via video on the Youth Concern project. This project, aimed at addressing unemployment in Aylesbury North-West, focuses on workshops to support young people interested in flexible, creative, or self-employed career paths. The project aims to build confidence, help young people articulate their skills, and foster peer learning opportunities, with anticipated partnerships with Marlow Film Studios, personal trainers, and motivational speakers. Discussions were expected to cover the importance of showcasing the full range of roles in creative and theatre sectors, linking with Bucks Business First, and connecting with the NHS physical activity skills board. There was also a suggestion to balance the focus on flexible/creative careers with awareness of higher skill, higher wage jobs.

Watermead Project – Enhancing Footfall at Watermead Lake: Councillor P Carlin-Page, Chairman of Watermead Parish Council, was scheduled to discuss efforts to encourage wider Aylesbury residents, particularly young people and families, to explore Watermead's natural areas. Stage 1 of the project involves installing QR-enabled interactive signage for wildlife and education trails, with a longer-term ambition for school programmes and environmental education. The emphasis is on shared ownership, with Watermead seen as part of Aylesbury rather than a separate entity. Discussion points were anticipated to include opportunities for collaboration with local schools for science curriculum links and ideas to encourage whole family visits.

Health on the High Street – Exercise Classes Launch: Updates were expected on the launch of two new weekly classes: Postnatal Fitness and Seated Exercise for Lower Mobility. These classes, delivered by Active in the Community, aim to provide an accessible, social, and affordable wellbeing offer, particularly for older adults and new mothers. A small charge per individual was planned to ensure commitment and long-term sustainability. Board members were to be encouraged to support promotion through social media and community groups, and promotional materials were to be circulated.

Aylesbury West – Sustainability & Waste Reduction Initiative: This initiative involves the early development of a local Repair Café in Coldharbour, supported by community volunteers and Wombles ¹. Supplementary ideas include a swap shop, small maker stalls, and themed months, intended to complement, not duplicate, the town centre repair café.

Aylesbury South-East – Community Cinema Event: Plans were in place for an outdoor community cinema event at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. The event was intended to be free for residents, with targeted outreach to bring different neighbourhoods together. The open-air model was preferred, weather permitting.

Aylesbury East – Intergenerational Enterprise Project: This project aims to improve relationships between age groups in the Bedgrove area through enterprise-based activities, inspired by programmes like Angels' Den or Making a Mark . As Young Enterprise was unable to deliver the project, an alternative provider needed to be sourced. Ideas raised included a youth market, involvement from the Round Table, and local business mentoring.

Buckingham Park, Berryfields & Watermead – Youth Club Enhancement: The focus was on improving and expanding the Youth Club offer. A survey was ready for launch, with each parish expected to promote it. An engagement session with schools, including Aylesbury Vale Primary, was planned.

Aylesbury Art Project (Train Station Area): This project was awaiting the outcome of Chiltern Railways' Community Investment Fund application. A meeting with Street Scene was scheduled to finalise viable site locations, with a youth-led design approach intended to continue, similar to previous underpass projects.

Other Updates

Proud of Bucks Awards: Nominations were open for outstanding local volunteers.

Community Board Newsletter: The latest edition was available, and board members were encouraged to use its content when providing updates to their groups.

William Harding's Charity: Leaflets for the charity, which provides funding opportunities for individuals, schools, charities, and voluntary organisations, were available for attendees.