Residents in Birmingham were invited to take a seat in an ‘outdoors living room’ and make their neighbourhood a better place to live in a unique community event.

The 'Sense of Place' event encouraged Handsworth residents to share the changes they would like to see in their area and pledge to make a difference.

Primary school children customised furniture with photographs, postcards and song lyrics and residents pinned ‘ideas for change’ onto a local road map.

A new community newsletter was also kickstarted with budding journalists gathering stories during a digital technology session at Handsworth Library.

Initiated and funded by government housing market renewal agency Urban Living, the initiative was supported by Birmingham council and delivered by a consortium led by arts organisation Multistory.

Nick Corbett, Urban Living's director of urban design and enterprise, said: ‘We wanted to hold a fun-filled free event that will really get people talking and interacting in public space.

‘Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we were delighted to see so many residents showing their support and taking the chance to make positive steps towards improving their area.’

by Jill Theobald, www.newstartmag.co.uk