Learning from Regeneration: Ideas, Inspiration and Lessons to Take Forward
15 September 2026
I am keen to explore how some of the community engagement approaches showcased during the visit could be adapted within a rural context to help shape future proposals at Connexus.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in a study visit to the Lockside and Goscote regeneration schemes in Walsall. The visit was organised by Walsall Housing Group (whg) as part of the PlaceShapers Learning Programme and brought together housing association colleagues and sector partners from across the country.
As well as being a fantastic networking opportunity, the visit provided valuable insight into how investment, partnership working and community engagement can transform places and improve residents' lives.
Sarah Weaver on the study visit
- Regeneration in Action: Learning from Partnership and Place
The event was exceptionally well organised. Before the study visit, we were given an overview of the day, along with an interesting insight into whg's regeneration journey, from the challenges it faced at stock transfer with property condition and the number of voids, through to the transformation that has taken place since.
Faye Shanahan and Rebecca Bennett Casserly were captivating speakers, and their passion, pride and commitment to the communities they work with was clear for everyone to see and evident throughout the day.
As a newbie to a Placeshapers study trip, the visit provided a valuable opportunity to meet colleagues from across the sector and share ideas and experiences.
The Lockside scheme features a mix of new homes across different tenures, including affordable rent and outright sale. Combined with renewable technology and enhanced green spaces. It has created a fresh, vibrant, energy-efficient and sustainable neighbourhood.
Rebecca explained that the site was formerly a steel works and highlighted how partnership working between whg, Lovell, the local authority, the Canal and River Trust, and the West Midlands Combined Authority had been crucial to unlocking the site for regeneration and making the scheme a success.
The blue and green landscaping here reminded me about the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment when land is repurposed and made me think about Connexus’ support of Shropshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, whereby nature and wildlife is designed into schemes at an early stage. It demonstrated how environmental improvements can become an integral part of regeneration, rather than an afterthought.
At Goscote, we heard directly from housing managers about the area's former reputation and how the regeneration of around 1,000 homes has delivered positive change for residents and the wider community. Modern affordable homes, improved parking provision and new play areas have all played a part in reshaping the neighbourhood.
We also learned how early engagement with residents, alongside initiatives such as "Connie's Golden Chair" (a unique method of customer engagement that involved Connie Jennings taking a big brother inspired golden chair into the community in which residents were invited to sit in and talk about their views on regeneration) helped build trust and secure community support throughout the regeneration process.
- Thinking Differently: Community Engagement and Creating Opportunities
During lunch at one of whg’s independent living schemes, Faye introduced us to whg's Social Justice Strategy and explained how strong community engagement, alongside partnership working with local organisations, is helping people and places to thrive.
The session included whg's Community Champions Model. This approach employs people with lived experience who act as a bridge between local communities and key services. It was eye-opening to learn that healthy life expectancy in parts of Walsall is just 55 to 56 years old, around six years below the national average. Faye explained how whg has worked alongside health partners to engage specific communities and help tackle health inequalities, including diabetes.
Kirsty, one of whg's real-life Community Champions, spoke to us about being recruited by WHG and the positive impact her role has had on improving services for the community. It was genuinely moving to hear about her personal journey, balancing family life while developing her career and supporting others. Kirsty's pride and passion for what she does really shone through, and hearing about the difference she's making left a lasting impression on me.
Kirsty’s story also reinforced the importance of creating routes into employment and supporting people to develop their skills and confidence.
The Community Champion Model provides a unique way to help others to come into the housing sector and is another example of how whg are thinking outside the box in terms of recruitment and while not all housing associations have the resources available to whg, their work demonstrated the art of the possible.
This subject resonates with me as earlier in the month, Connexus welcomed ten new apprentices. I will be meeting them all soon to talk about the work of the development and regeneration team and look forward to sharing my experience and listening to their thoughts and aspirations. It made me reflect on the role housing associations can play in creating opportunities for local people, not just through the homes we provide but through employment, skills and community investment.
Whg is currently developing a playbook for the wider housing sector, sharing practical guidance, templates and lessons learned from its Community Champions approach, I look forward to reading and sharing with colleagues at Connexus.
- Turning inspiration into action: Reflections on what we can take forward
As a predominantly rural housing association, Connexus faces different challenges to those experienced in more urban areas. The visit reinforced the importance of strong local partnerships and creative community engagement in addressing issues such as isolation, access to services and wellbeing across dispersed rural communities.
In practice, we will continue to strengthen relationships with parish councils, our local authorities, rural housing enablers and community organisations to ensure regeneration projects respond to local needs and maximise wider social value for rural communities. I am keen to explore how some of the community engagement approaches showcased during the visit could be adapted within a rural context to help shape future proposals at Connexus.
The work at whg shows that collaboration, shared purpose and strong partnerships can unlock opportunities that might otherwise seem difficult to achieve. It also demonstrated how regeneration can deliver far more than new homes by supporting health outcomes, creating employment opportunities, enhancing biodiversity and helping communities to thrive.
Behind all of this are determined people who strive to make a positive difference and have the courage to run with blue sky ideas from time to time. Those ideas, combined with a genuine commitment to listening to residents, are what left the strongest impression on me and are lessons I will take forward into future regeneration projects at Connexus.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising the visit and sharing their experiences throughout the day.