In October we shared that had been successful in its bid to the National Lottery and shared an update on some KWA team changes.
What has been happening since then?
The Founders, senior individuals representing Filwood Community Centre, The Park, KW Health Park and KWMC, have been meeting regularly. The Working Group came together in November.
KWA Working Group met on 18th November; the Working Group is made of local residents and representatives of organisations working actively in Knowle West. The meeting was an opportunity to connect with each other and the KWA mission, vision and values. To discuss funding and next steps.
Resident voice is at the heart of the Alliance. The Working Group decided on themes going forward: community cohesion and connection, a focus on food justice, and the importance of building on trauma informed training and approaches – focusing on foundational work and healing. Everyone agreed the importance of celebratory stories of success.
The Working Group focussed on the strength of what has been built over 5 years: Small grants, The Knowledge, Food Action group, and equalities network were highlighted as particularly strong and working well.
There were ideas of how training could expand and develop. The group agreed the important of a reactivation of the action groups: food and equalities etc.
Key in driving forwards KWA activity and shaping priorities and building trust, the Working Group meets regularly and we hope more people know that they can join; everyone is welcome. It’s a friendly informal group (there is always tea and biscuits) find out more contact info@kwalliance.co.uk
Next steps: recruitment
KWA Director
The Working Group agreed a central facilitator/director role is key and needs to be recruited. The Founders have met, and the post is now being advertised. Details are here.
Community Connector role
As part of Transforming Filwood Broadway project, High Streets improvements work and long-term plan for Filwood Broadway a Community Connector role will be recruited and established. This role will sit within Knowle West Alliance, the focus of the role is very much on activating Filwood Broadway, nurturing ideas of local people, shop unit tenants and community organisations.
Including supporting a Community Chest, this is funding which has been established to support future community activities and the economic development of the high street. It aims to give local people the agency to have a say in how resources are spent.
Other work and activity
KWA small grants were relaunched in October. We received various applications. The grants panel, made up of local residents, met at the end of November, awarding small grants of £250 and 4 larger grants for £1,000 for community arts projects. The larger grants are funded by RCKa Architects, as part of their work on 4-16 Filwood Broadway. All applicants have been notified of the outcome.
The Knowledge was published on 12th November. The front cover celebrated Mike Alden receiving his British Empire Medial for his outstanding service to the local community and for his work with Park Knowle football club.
Hannah Llewellin resigned from KWA in July, as a freelancer she returned to co-ordinate the delivery of 6,500 copies of The Knowledge by a team of volunteers to every home in Knowle West. Delivery co-ordination has now been completed. Hannah now steps away from KWA we wish her well in her new adventures. In January we begin planning for The Knowledge in 2026.
Recent meetings attended: Knowle West Futures, KWA continue to support this coordination group that focuses on planning and development locally.
Looking at future plans for the church, we attended a community listening event at St Barnabas on Daventry Road.
Alongside, The Council Transforming Filwood Broadway team KWA was part of Knowle West Dreams an arts and community event organised by Filwood Community Centre and held at Inns Court Community Centre. We spent the evening chatting to residents about the Broadway and KWA.
We joined a Community Cohesion meeting with representatives from community organisations across the city and had the opportunity to share learning and ideas on community cohesion.
KWA have met with Local Councillors for Filwood to support them with the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) community meetings. The council will be distributing funding via the CIL and there will be opportunities for the community to make applications, events in February will be an opportunity to find out more.
The Alliance is looking forward to working with and supporting the local community into 2026 and beyond.
We are keen to ensure that everyone in KWA feels part of the Knowle West Alliance – if you’d like to get more involved or have an idea that you’d like to make happen get in touch. Info@kwalliance.co.uk or via contact page on Knowlewestalliance.co.uk
Knowle West Alliance 