Thriving Together: Conversations that start with a poem, a pint or a market stall

Over the next few weeks, something special is happening across Adur and Worthing.

People are coming together — in cafes and churches, markets and music nights, parks and pubs — to talk about the future of the places they call home.

We’re calling it Thriving Together. It’s part of a bigger conversation about how our places could be shaped differently if more decisions were made locally — through devolution. But it’s not about policy papers or top-down plans. It’s about people.

And it starts in the most everyday ways.

Sharing visions, verses and voices

We’ve already seen community facilitators planning creative ways to spark conversation — from a poetry night at the Gateway Hub, to an open mic evening at Bungaroosh. One resident is hosting conversations between daughters and granddaughters, asking what they hope their place will feel like in the future.

These moments are about imagination, not consultation. They’re about expressing what we love, what we miss, and what we’d change.

Talking at markets, not just meetings

We know not everyone wants to come to a public meeting. That’s why conversations are also happening where people already are:

• At the Wednesday market on Montague Street, where community facilitators will be recording vox pop videos
• Through Love It / Lost It boxes in some of our local pubs
• At the Shoreham Farmers Market
• And at the Beach Dreams Festival on Shoreham Beach

They’re simple prompts with powerful potential: What do you love about your place? What have we lost? What would help it thrive again?

Led by the community, for the community

None of this would be happening without the energy of local people and organisations.

Groups are already stepping up. Others are planning events like the Spun event on Portland Road or folding it into existing community spaces like Stay & Play sessions and Feastival.

It’s a reminder that local democracy isn’t just about ballots — it’s about belonging.

Making it easier for everyone to join in

We’re also working to make the conversation as accessible as possible.

• The Gateway Hub has set up a dedicated computer so people can take part online with support.

We’re collecting visions, photos, posters, poems — anything that helps express what matters most to people. All of it will feed into a shared picture of what people want for their neighbourhoods, and how local decision-making could help.

Want to get involved?

Whether you want to host a conversation, share a drawing or just add a comment online — you can take part here!