From street champions to street proud: what it takes to make change local
If you’ve ever walked down a street and noticed a garden sprouting where there was once rubble, or a mural covering up a tired grey wall, you’ve seen the magic of local pride. It’s easy to think these things happen because someone, somewhere, gave the go-ahead. But the truth is, real change happens when people take ownership of the spaces they call home.
This blog is about the potential of those spaces and the people who transform them. It’s about what organisations — whether councils, startups, or social enterprises — can learn from the grassroots. And, most importantly, it’s about how we can create the conditions for change to grow from the ground up.
1. Making the case for local pride
Why does it matter if people feel proud of their streets? Because pride leads to care, and care leads to action. This isn’t just about boosting footfall. It’s about creating spaces where people feel they belong — where local character shines through, and where communities take an active role in shaping their environments.
How to apply this:
- Start by listening. What are people already proud of? What do they want to protect or improve?
- Work with communities to co-design spaces and initiatives that reflect their identity.
- Make it visible. Celebrate the contributions people are making, so others feel inspired to join in.
2. Supporting people to take the lead
Transforming spaces doesn’t mean stepping in and doing it all for people. It means creating the conditions where they feel confident to lead. This is something Adur & Worthing achieved with Trees for Streets, which empowered residents to plant and care for trees in their neighbourhoods.
The same principle applies in projects like the Design Council’s Active Neighbourhoods programme, where communities across the UK are rethinking streets to make them safer and greener. By involving local people at every stage, they’re not just building better neighbourhoods — they’re building stronger relationships and trust.
how to apply this:
- Provide tools and training so people feel equipped to take action.
- Create small funding pots or resources to reduce barriers for grassroots ideas.
- Build networks where people can share successes and challenges, inspiring others to get involved.
keeping it simple
Sometimes the best ideas aren’t big or flashy — they’re simple, practical, and quick to start. That’s the principle behind initiatives like Street Pride in the Netherlands, where residents receive paint and tools to refresh their streets. Closer to home, Adur & Worthing’s Community Clear-Up Days (https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/news/pr23-040.html) are empowering people to tackle local challenges in a way that’s straightforward but effective.
The beauty of these approaches lies in their accessibility. They show that anyone can contribute to change — and that even small actions can create a ripple effect.
How to apply this:
- Start small. Sometimes all people need is permission and a little encouragement to get going.
- Focus on visible wins — things that people can see and feel quickly.
- Create opportunities for people to come together, whether that’s a clean-up day or a planting session.
3. A call to action: what can you do?
At its heart, this isn’t about turning every resident into a “champion.” It’s about making pride and care for public spaces contagious. It’s about recognising that when people feel proud of where they live, they don’t just take care of their streets — they inspire others to do the same.
So, whether you’re working in a council, running a startup, or managing a team, here’s your challenge:
- What small steps can you take to give people ownership of the spaces around them?
- How can you celebrate and amplify the good work already happening?
- And what would it take for you to make pride in place a priority, not an afterthought?
Let’s turn more streets into places we’re proud of. Because when people feel proud, they care. And when they care, anything is possible.
