COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

At Free Range Collective, we believe that good engagement is more than asking people what they think.

We believe that every project and every community is different and we help organisations build meaningful connections with the people and communities around them.

Whether you’re developing a heritage project, opening up a historic building, planning a funded programme or looking for new ways to involve people in your work, we create practical, creative and inclusive ways for communities to take part.

We can support a complete programme of engagement or step in to deliver individual elements, working alongside your team and other project partners. We can support the whole engagement journey – from understanding audiences and consulting with communities to developing activities, building partnerships, creating communications and delivering events. Or, if you already have a project team in place, we can step in to provide the additional skills, ideas or capacity you need to make it happen.

Who do we work with?

How we can help

Every successful project starts with clarity.

We work with you to shape your ideas into a clear, achievable vision that reflects your values, your community and your strategic goals.

Through research, consultation and collaborative planning, we help you define your purpose, audiences, outcomes and priorities. Whether you’re developing a new heritage project, cultural programme or community initiative, we ensure your focus is rooted in evidence, aligned with funder priorities and designed for long-term impact.

This stage often includes audience research, stakeholder engagement, needs analysis, concept development and support with funding bids and business cases.

We create activities and events that give people a reason to get involved.

From talks, workshops and family activities to festivals, open days and larger community events, we can develop the idea, find and coordinate contributors, manage the practicalities and support delivery on the day.

We turn project ambitions into practical programmes that can actually be delivered.

We can research audiences, develop ideas, identify partners and contributors, plan activities, build realistic schedules and create activity plans for funded, heritage and community projects – as well as helping deliver them.

We develop creative ways for children and young people to explore, contribute to and influence projects

This can include school workshops, youth consultation, creative activities, work experience and programmes designed specifically for younger audiences.
We also work alongside education specialists and teachers to create curriculum relevant resources that can be delivered directly to the classroom.

Volunteers can bring skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and strong local connections to a project.

We can help recruit and engage volunteers, identify roles, develop opportunities, coordinate activity and create a positive volunteer experience that supports both the individual and the organisation.

We help organisations understand their communities

We help them identify who currently engages, who doesn’t, what people think, need and value, and what might be preventing them from taking part. Through surveys, conversations, focus groups, consultation events, stakeholder engagement and practical research, we create accessible ways for people to have their say, identify potential new audiences and turn what we learn into useful insight that can shape your project and help you reach and involve more people.

Your work deserves to be seen, understood and valued.

We help you communicate your story clearly and creatively, so your project reaches the audiences it’s meant for.

This includes marketing strategy, branding, design, PR, social media, content creation and campaign planning – all tailored to heritage, arts and culture contexts. We focus on accessible, place-based storytelling that builds awareness, increases participation and strengthens your reputation with funders, partners and the wider public.

Whether you’re launching a project, promoting events or building a long-term platform, we help you grow your profile with purpose.

Strong local partnerships can extend a project's reach and create opportunities that wouldn't be possible alone

We identify and connect with relevant community groups, organisations, schools, businesses and local networks, helping build relationships that support both immediate delivery and longer-term legacy.

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