COLLABORATION

VOLUNTEERING AT RAILWORLD WILDLIFE HAVEN

A shared day of action bringing together people of different ages and backgrounds, reflecting a culture of collaboration rooted in care for place, long-term commitment and collective effort.

Engagement in Peterborough is understood as both a principle and a process. Culture in the city is shaped across many settings and communities, and meaningful engagement therefore requires multiple routes into conversation, contribution and leadership, rather than reliance on a single forum or sector.

This Expression of Interest has been shaped by many voices.

The development of the UK City of Culture 2029 Expression of Interest has been informed by a broad range of perspectives. Cultural organisations and artists have contributed professional insight and sector expertise. Education partners have played a central role in amplifying youth voice and lived experience. Community and faith organisations have helped shape an understanding of culture as everyday practice rooted in neighbourhoods and shared spaces.

Place, tourism and business partners have contributed perspectives on identity, visibility and civic pride. Together, these inputs reflect the diversity of how culture is made and experienced across Peterborough.

Young people have been central to shaping this approach.

Alongside partnership-led engagement, recent education-based visioning with students and staff has provided valuable insight into how young people experience culture, the spaces they value, and their aspirations for a more visible and confident cultural life. This feedback has reinforced the importance of informal settings, public spaces and regular cultural activity in supporting wellbeing, creativity and belonging.

Engagement is being built to grow over time.

Peterborough recognises that engagement at Expression of Interest stage cannot be exhaustive. Rather than seeking to complete engagement within a fixed timeframe, the city has focused on establishing inclusive principles, trusted relationships and clear routes for participation that can expand and deepen through the next phase of the programme.

This includes continued work with neighbourhood groups, community leaders and underrepresented voices, ensuring that participation grows in both breadth and depth as the programme develops.

Learning has shaped how collaboration is approached.

Learning from previous UK Cities of Culture has informed this approach. Earlier programmes demonstrated that engagement which is rushed or overly centralised can limit ownership and long-term impact. Peterborough’s approach therefore prioritises sustained, place-based engagement that builds confidence, capacity and leadership over time.

Collaboration will shape delivery and legacy.

As the programme progresses, engagement will remain a shared responsibility across partners. Communities will be supported not only to contribute ideas, but to help shape priorities, delivery and long-term legacy. This approach balances urgency with care, ensuring that engagement remains meaningful as it scales.