What is Pride in Place?
This is a UK Government scheme that gives up to £20 million to selected neighbourhoods to help improve their local area. It lets local people decide what matters most, such as improving green spaces, setting up new community facilities, or supporting local services and projects.
The two areas in Norwich that have been selected by the government to receive this funding are:
- Heartsease and Pilling Park
- Bowthorpe and West Earlham
The approach
Two new Neighbourhood Boards will be made up by a majority of independent people who live or work in those areas. These boards will have responsibility for engaging with local communities and making decisions on how to spend the funding.
These Neighbourhood Boards will lay the foundations for community-led partnerships that continue to drive change well beyond the ten years of funding. The money provided by the programme should sow the seeds for longer-term transformation, with communities using it to:
- Take ownership of assets to ensure they benefit local people or bring in revenue
- crowd in philanthropic funding; or leverage in social investment.
Timetable
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| February - March 2026 | The recruitment of an independent chair for each area |
| March to June 2026 | Recruitment of neighbourhood board members |
| April to October 2026 | Programme of community engagement to understand the priorities of those who live and work in each neighbourhood. This results of this engagement will inform the Pride in Place plan, a document produced by the neighbourhood boards which will outline a 10-year vision for the area alongside an initial 4-year investment plan |
| November 2026 | Submission of the Pride in Place plans to government for approval |
Recruitment
About the role
We are recruiting two volunteer Chairs to run the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for the Heartsease and Pilling Park / Bowthorpe and West Earlham areas.
This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to help shape the long‑term future of your neighbourhood.
As Chair, you will bring local people, organisations and partners together to co‑create a shared vision for the area. You should have a strong commitment to the neighbourhood, an ability to listen, and your determination to champion the community’s voice should shine through. As Chair it will be your responsibility to create a legacy that lasts beyond the ten years of funding.
About the person
We are looking for two passionate and well‑connected community leaders to take on the voluntary roles of independent Chair for the new neighbourhood boards – one in Heartsease and Pilling Park, and one in Bowthorpe and West Earlham.
The ideal Chair will be a respected, calm, and collaborative individual, well-known in their community, able to unite diverse perspectives, navigate differences with care, and represent the neighbourhood externally with confidence and integrity.
This person will be living, working or from the area, who either holds a prominent role or has a deep connection to the community.
Whilst this is a voluntary role, similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee, to ensure that the Neighbourhood Board has the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, payment may be provided to remunerate the Chair’s time.
Both independent Chairs will be expected to sign up to a code of conduct which will outline the principles of working in a public position.
If you are passionate about your community and want to make a difference, we want to hear from you!
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than 300 words explaining why you have a deep connection to the area and why you would be well suited to the role.
Make it clear in your application which neighbourhood you are applying for. Please also let us know of any accessibility requirements. The recruitment packs will provide further details.
- Recruitment pack – Heartsease and Pilling Park Neighbourhood Board Chair
- Recruitment pack – Bowthorpe and West Earlham Neighbourhood Board Chair
Applications should be submitted via email to community@norwich.gov.uk.
What happens next?
- The closing date for applications for the role of Heartsease and Pilling Park Chair is Sunday 15 February 2026. Interviews will take place in the neighbourhood on Friday 20 February 2026.
- The closing date for applications for the role of Bowthorpe and West Earlham Chair is Sunday 1 March 2026. Interviews will take place in the neighbourhood on Thursday 12 March 2026.
