Opportunity Bucks

The Opportunity Bucks programme focuses on 10 wards across Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe and aims to tackle local priorities that will make a difference to the lives and lifestyles of people living in these areas experiencing the most hardship. This is a long-term programme that involves Buckinghamshire Council working with local partners, the voluntary and community sector, businesses and other public sector bodies within Buckinghamshire. Delivering a range of projects and events which share the objectives of the programme is helping to build the narrative of how together, Opportunity Bucks is improving outcomes for people in Buckinghamshire. There are six wards in the Wycombe area which the programme is focusing on: Abbey; Booker, Cressex & Castlefield; Terriers & Amersham Hill; Totteridge & Bowerdean; Ryemead & Micklefield; and West Wycombe.

What has been delivered in Wycombe?

• Five Community Action Days offering engagement, support and advice in multiple areas. Look out for the next one near you!

• Consultation and engagement to address road safety issues resulting in agreed investment in a new road safety scheme for Castlefield Estate with work due to start in June.

• Additional road sweeping, pressure-washing, fly-tipping clearance and repair or replacement of broken fencing to improve public spaces in High Wycombe.

• Anti-Social Behaviour Action Groups were established for the town to address issues.

• Four ‘Play Streets’ events in Ryemead & Micklefield with more planned between May and November.

• Worked with Millbrook School and High Wycombe Community Board to design and install signage for smoke-free parks and playgrounds in Desborough, Booker and Holmers Farm.

• Delivered food support schemes and cookery workshops with partners to help upskill vulnerable residents and students on how to cook healthy budget meals or using foodbank items, including sessions at Buckinghamshire New University for students, a weekly hot meal provision at Wycombe Community Church and a lunch club at WISE mosque.

• Visits from the ‘Multiply Bus’ to Eden Shopping Centre, Millbrook Adult Learning Centre, Micklefield Community Centre, Hills Café, The Hive and ASDA to promote free courses for adults to improve their confidence with numbers.

Get involved

Importantly, the delivery of Opportunity Bucks includes hearing from residents and inviting them to share their views on what they like about where they live, what they would like to see to make it even better and how the Opportunity Bucks partners can work together on local initiatives. Ward partnerships have been created to bring local people together to directly support communities to identify local concerns and possible solutions to improve: education and youth engagement; jobs, careers and skills; quality of public realm; standard of living; and health and wellbeing.

Visit buckinghamshire.gov.uk/opportunity-bucks