THE IMPACT of more than 40 community projects was celebrated at “Poole Conversation 2” last week at Bournemouth University.

Members of the public nominated the projects as part of the first “Great Neighbourhoods” campaign back in November.

The aim of the initiative was to discover the ideas that groups of residents, local community groups and businesses were running that helped “connect” people into their community.

Rather than finding "the best" project, the organisers hoped to inspire others to get involved.

The audience of more than 140 heard stories from groups of residents like the “BH12 planters” who started working together to bring life to the flowerbeds outside their homes.

Kate Mitchell, the leader of this small group, said the project had not only brightened their street, but had enabled her to meet people in her street that she would never have talked to otherwise.

The Rising Voices Choir not only shared their story of local people all living with cancer brought together to sing; they also opened the whole event with a medley of some of their favourite songs.

The audience included the deputy leader of Borough of Poole, the Bishop of Sherborne, as well as senior representatives from the emergency services and care groups.

Dorset Police's Detective Chief Inspector Chris Naughton told organisers he was hugely encouraged to hear some good news stories for once, and outlined how the PCSO’s would be recommended to go along to these groups to strengthen the links between the police and the community

The Poole Conversation is being driven forward by a core team made up of representatives from Churches Together in Poole, local Christian charities Livability, Prama and Faithworks, Bournemouth University and the Borough of Poole.

Alistair Doxat-Purser, from Faithworks and part of the core team, said: “The Poole Conversation has once again shown that change in the community often starts from the ground up and the 40 or so groups tonight are just the tip of the iceberg.

"Over the past 18 months since the first Conversation, new projects like Hope in the Community (supporting isolated older people) and Poole Town Pastors have sprung to life through the combined efforts of the council, the churches and the local community working together.

"At Poole Conversation 2, we heard from extraordinary community and resident groups that are not only strengthening communities, they are literally transforming our town into a place where everyone feels valued.”