Pride in Place – Community Listening
PCVS has been commissioned to carry out community listening events and exercises for Pride in Place. On this page you’ll find news and information related to Pride in Place listening to our seldom heard communities.
Pride in Place covers two areas in Peterborough – Gunthorpe, Paston & Welland and Orton Goldhay & Orton Malborne.
For all other aspects of Pride in Place please check the City Council’s website (click here).
Listening to seldom heard communities
If you live, work, study or volunteer in the areas covered by Pride in Place, or otherwise have a connection with the area, please take part in our survey. Pick the one most relevant to you – or both if appropriate!
Where can you meet us?
Our next meeting events are at:
- Itter Park Fun Day 16 August
- Orton Family Fun Day @ Orton Gate Shopping Centre 30th August
(see posters above)
Our partners where you can make your views known are:
- Honeyhill child and family centre
- First Steps Child & family centre
- Orton child & family centre
- Paston Farm
Out and About in the Ortons: Listening to Local People. 6 August 2026
Pride in Place listening is gathering pace across the Ortons, with PCVS and Peterborough Citizens getting out into the community to hear directly from local people.
Kenny from PCVS and Jodie from Peterborough Citizens are taking conversations to the places where residents already spend their time — from family activities and community events to local shops, libraries and neighbourhood spaces.
So far, the team has spoken directly to at least 200 people, with more conversations taking place every week.
Families have been sharing their views through activities including Barnardo’s Stay and Play, Community Fridge, Rhymetime and Storytime. The team has also attended events such as the Step Into Space Family Day, which engaged around 30 local people and families.
An Orton Pride in Place launch event brought together more than 20 community representatives and local leaders, helping to build relationships and identify new ways to involve residents.
Building connections
Listening is about more than individual conversations. The team is also building strong relationships with organisations, services and businesses across the Ortons.
Connections have been made with groups including Barnardo’s, Peterborough Orton Library, Mary’s Child, Goldhay Arts, Peterborough Rugby Club and Maples Residential Home, alongside a growing network of local businesses supporting the project.
Councillor Kirsty Knight has also been engaging with the project and helping connect residents with the listening activity.
The aim is to make sure everyone has an opportunity to have their say.
Through community activities, neighbourhood walkabouts, social media and local partnerships, Pride in Place is bringing the conversation directly to residents — creating more opportunities for local ideas, experiences and priorities to help shape the future of the Ortons.
Local voices take centre stage as Pride in Place listening begins! 5 August 2026
Residents across Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland are helping shape the future of their communities as PCVS launches its Pride in Place Community Listening programme.
Two events held at the end of July brought together 32 local people, including residents, volunteers, charities, community organisations, councillors, faith groups and local historians.
The sessions provided an opportunity to find out more about Pride in Place, hear how PCVS, Peterborough City Council and Peterborough Citizens will support the programme, and—most importantly—share ideas about what local people would like to see change.
A strong sense of community pride was clear throughout both events. People celebrated the area’s green spaces, community centres and the strong sense of belonging that connects residents across Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland.
Thank you to everyone who took part, shared their ideas and offered their support.
These events are just the beginning. Over the coming months, PCVS will continue listening to residents through local groups, businesses, services, events and trusted community spaces, making sure as many voices as possible have the opportunity to help shape the future of the area.
Orton’s future starts with its community! 31 July 2026
What makes Orton a great place to live — and what could make it even better? That was the conversation at our Pride in Place Orton launch and listening event at Barnardo’s.
Around 25 residents, volunteers, community organisations and local partners, including MP Sam Carling, came together to share ideas, celebrate what’s already happening and talk about the future of Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay.
There was plenty to be proud of. Residents highlighted Orton’s green spaces, community spirit, cycle routes, friendships, volunteers and strong local organisations — as well as the way people come together to support one another.
There were also lots of ideas for positive change, including:
- More activities and safe spaces for young people
- Better sports, leisure and youth facilities
- A stronger community hub in Goldhay
- More local events and better communication
- Improvements to parks, public spaces and local facilities
- More opportunities to connect, volunteer and get involved
- Making better use of empty buildings and community spaces
- Tackling litter and improving access to local services
The event was a great start — but this is only the beginning.
Over the coming months, we’ll be out across Orton, listening to more residents through local groups, businesses, services, events and community spaces.
Your ideas, experiences and priorities will help shape what happens next.
Get in touch
For more information please contact Farsh, Kenny or James using the email button above.
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