Why
Devon County Council serves around 800,000 residents across diverse geographies. While operating at scale enables more efficient use of resources and services, the development of Cranbrook (a new neighbourhood designed as a ‘healthy new town’) sparked urgency for local, neighbourhood design from a how do we live, work and play together.
As a growing community of more than 6,000 people, Cranbrook did not yet have an established identity or shared priorities.
The Council recognised the need to facilitating people in shaping their daily lives, to develop a truly place-based approach to thriving community.
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How
ICE organised a series of in-person community engagement sessions at familiar local venues, bringing together residents alongside key partners and stakeholders.
We met people in places they regularly visit, such as classrooms, community centres, and places of worship, engaging 285 individuals including parents, children, business owners, and school staff.
These sessions provided an opportunity for participants to connect, share their experiences, discuss local challenges and priorities, and collaboratively develop a shared vision for the neighbourhood’s future.
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WHAT WE DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS REFORM NEEDS
The engagement process provided a comprehensive understanding of daily life in Cranbrook, revealing community strengths, challenges and priorities that data alone could not capture.
The lived experiences of residents directly influenced the planning and delivery of services, ensuring they accurately represented the needs of a rapidly growing neighbourhood.
This insight enabled more coordinated, place-based collaboration among partners, facilitated proactive responses to emerging concerns, and assisted the Council in aligning services to both the community and broader council-wide and ICB frameworks.
How do ICE tailor support to different people and communities?
- Purpose & Outcomes (the “why”)
Delivery implication: success is measured in lived experience, not only outputs or targets.
- Place-Based Foundations
Delivery implication: programmes are designed with place, not dropped onto it.
- Community & Relationships
Delivery implication: delivery models prioritise relationships, not transactions.
- Co-Creation & Participation
Delivery implication: co-design, co-production, and community governance are baked in.
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- Prevention & Everyday Health
Delivery implication: delivery happens in schools, streets, pubs, parks, not just clinics.
- Learning, Growth & Opportunity
Delivery implication: services support capability-building, not dependency.
- Local Economy & Everyday Infrastructure
Delivery implications: economic, social, and health delivery are intertwined.
- System Behaviours (how delivery feels)
Delivery implication: culture and behaviours are as important as structures.
Want to know more about how we can help provide insight to inform decisions when it comes to understanding new communities? Get in touch: Link
Download our latest research paper on: Lessons from a Longitudinal Analysis of Integrated Healthy Lifestyle Services
See how ICE can also help your current established services become more engaged with communities, behaviourally led and improve outcomes and uptake. Visit: Link
6,000+
Cranbrook residents impacted
85
Local people engaged
8
Face-face engagement sessions
“The community engagement led by ICE was pivotal to making sure our actions were grounded in what local people really want and need”
Devon County Council
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