Welcome to the Ideas Bank

The Ideas Bank is a shared space created by members, for members. A place where people can bring ideas to life together. It grew from a desire among our community to have somewhere open, supportive and creative, where anyone can shape new projects, inspire others, and work side‑by‑side to make positive change.

This isn’t just a suggestion box. It’s a collaborative forum, designed for co‑production: where people share ideas, build on each other’s thinking, and connect with others who want to get involved. Ideas don’t need to involve the council, and they don’t have to be fully formed. Big or small, early concepts or practical proposals - all are welcome.

Our aim is to create a space where everyone feels confident to contribute and where good ideas can grow with support from the wider community.

What Kind of Ideas Belong Here?

• Ideas people can work on together - not tasks for individuals or requests for services
• Community ‑ focused ideas - things that could benefit a group, neighbourhood, or wider audience
• Ideas open to collaboration - where others can join in, shape the direction, or help test and develop them
• Ideas that can sit outside the council - they can involve partners, organisations, community groups, or simply local people working together

If your idea could inspire teamwork, discussion, or shared action, this is the perfect place for it.

How the Ideas Bank Works

1. Share your idea – Add a short description of what you’d like to explore or achieve
2. Start a conversation – Others can comment, ask questions, or offer help
3. Develop it together – Ideas can grow through collaboration, discussion, and community input
4. Take it forward – When an idea gains interest, people can choose to work together to make it happen

Guidelines for Posting and Joining In

To keep this a positive and productive space, we ask everyone to:

• Be respectful and constructive – Support ideas, offer suggestions, and keep discussions friendly
• Be open‑minded – Ideas may evolve, shift, and grow through co‑production
• Be collaborative – This is a space for working with others, not delegating tasks
• Stay focused on shared benefit – Keep ideas centred on community value, collective effort, and making things better for others
• Welcome all contributions – Every idea and every voice has value

Why This Space Matters

Members told us they wanted a place where ideas could be shaped openly - not hidden in email chains, closed meetings, or unfinished notes. The Ideas Bank was created to meet that need:

• A transparent space for creativity
• A shared space for testing and developing ideas
• A connected space where people can find collaborators
• An empowering space where everyone has a voice

Together, we can turn ideas into action.