Mend is a social enterprise that helps planning and development become more socially intelligent. htt We specialise in the social impact of development.
Back in 2010 we recognised that the way in which development was going to commissioned and delivered was going to radically change. We also recognised the elevated role communities were being given to make local decisions but the lack of support they have in order to take on this responsibility. We see the “Community as Client” and our motivation is to elevate the role of communities in decision-m
aking about their local area and city. As an organisation we act as a bridge between the public, private and third sector to innovate new ways to deliver good development:
- We help communities to behave more like clients and take on the responsibility of the role as decision-maker. We help the development process become less adversarial and build community confidence to participate. We help communities tap into the networks they need to mobilise support and resource for their projects.
- We help the third sector work with the public, private and third sector to fill the gap in delivering local services and development left by the need to find huge efficiency savings across local government. We help them respond effectively to the challenges of new policy, budget cuts and a new regime of commissioning and delivering community services by repositioning their organisation’s mission, role and purpose. We look at ways the third sector can maximise their assets, look at new activities and build relationships with the private sector
- We help businesses understand the human and physical resources within their local communities, and partner better with the public and local groups to achieve value gain for both sides. Mend aims to help businesses use their projects and services and CSR agenda to deliver sustainable local transformations.
- We help development respond to the local logic of a place and by focussing on the role of place attachment in fostering active citizenship and reflecting the realities of living and experiencing a place. We help local networks and relationships directly inform the development of urban space.
