Places to meet

Public and community facilities enhance the lives of inhabitants and support community cohesion, contributing to the quality of life in your community. Good facilities can instil a sense of community pride, increase equality and fairness and can help prevent crime and antisocial behaviour. Libraries, museums, community centres and performance spaces provide enjoyment, culture and ideas. Medical facilities ensure and safeguard health, while public transport options increase mobility and allow access to facilities in other areas. Schools and colleges provide education opportunities for children and adults alike, and often provide facilities for community use outside of school hours.  

The life and activity within a place are an important aspect of placemaking. Identifying where there is a lot of activity and where activity is lacking can help to think about where new uses may or may not be appropriate. 

Creating a list of all the groups and activities available in your area and where they operate from will highlight the range of opportunities available. Remember to think about all age groups, genders, abilities and ethnicities; you should talk to local people, check local listings and use the internet to search for what happens locally. You may also be able to find out what activities people have to journey outside your area to take part in. 

Questions to consider

  • What do people use your high street or town centre for?

  • What services are available within the community, e.g. community centres, post offices, banks, doctors, dentists, libraries, religious buildings, leisure centres and schools? How big are they? Who operates them? How secure is their long-term future? How easy are they to access? What condition are the facilities in? What is lacking?

  • What health services are available within the community? Are there any health promotion schemes in the community e.g. walking clubs, healthy eating education schemes or mindfulness groups? 

  • What learning and leisure opportunities are available within the community and where do people travel to for education? Who are they open to? How are they performing?

  • What clubs, activities and social events take place in your place? Where do they take place and how regularly?

  • What do people travel to nearby places to be involved in?

  • Are there local energy, sustainability or transition networks?

  • • What health and education facilities are in your place? UWP

    • Find sustainability focused groups near you: Renew Wales

    • Are there any community energy organisations near you? Community Energy Wales

    • Find out about small scale changes that could have a big impact in the Future High Street Project’s ‘High Street Tweak Toolkit’