Cambridge 2030 launches new strategy with place-based focus

Julie Spence, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and ambassador for Cambridge 2030, opened the event by introducing new members of the Cambridge 2030 committee* and referencing a heightened desire across the Cambridge ecosystem for inclusive growth, that recognises and addresses the issues and impact of inequality on communities across the city and county.

She said: “As we focus on making our city a place where innovation thrives and its benefits are shared by everyone, we’re on the verge of something transformative. We have the opportunity to become a genuine example of inclusive growth—where success is felt across every community.

“I’m heartened by the way our local businesses, institutions, and public and voluntary sectors are beginning to work together with real purpose to create lasting change, helping us move beyond the label of inequality towards a fairer and more prosperous future for all.”

Cambridge 2030 committee member Jonathan Martin, CEO, YMCA, reminded delegates of the organisation’s mission and set out the new strategic focus, which will be place-based and initially prioritise two of the city’s most disadvantaged neighbouring wards, Arbury and King’s Hedges.

He said: “Our strategic approach is designed to be collaborative and will engage and involve the community in developing and owning initiatives and solutions.  We will continue to listen, learn and collaborate and, initially, seek to address needs already identified as: therapeutic support for children, young people and their families; bespoke work experience, mentoring, skills development, role models, careers guidance and employment opportunities; increased enrichment opportunities in the form of trips, excursions and clubs that build cultural capital.

“We will be seeking support from the wider community and businesses, in the form of funding, resources and volunteers to facilitate provision of these things, working closely with North Cambridge Academy and organisations like Form the Future and North Cambridge Community Partnership, to ensure we are aligned and adding to, not duplicating efforts.  We will also be tracking and telling the stories of young people and families in the community so that we can assess the impact of this work.”

To help facilitate the new strategy, Cambridge 2030 is working with Cambridgeshire Community Foundation to develop a Cambridge 2030 Fund into which individuals and organisations can make donations of any size, which will be allocated to activities in the priority communities.

Kirsten Masson, Director of Innovation Programmes, St John’s Innovation Centre, showcased how its team volunteered to decorate and furnish a room at North Cambridge Academy, turning it into a new library with fully catalogued books, for students to enjoy.

She said: “Not only did we have great fun as a team transforming the library at North Cambridge Academy, but we have also captured the imagination of our building’s tenant members and inspired conversations about how they can get involved in supporting the school. It has helped everybody to understand how they can support their local community.”

To learn more about Cambridge 2030 and its ongoing projects, visit: https://cambridge2030.org/