Engagement specialists encouraged to help Whitehawk shape long-term neighbourhood investment

Organisations, community groups and engagement specialists with a strong connection to Brighton & Hove and Whitehawk are being invited to support a major community engagement programme.

The Whitehawk Pride in Place programme, backed by millions of pounds of government funding, is designed to empower local residents and ensure that spending and investment is driven by the people who live and work in Whitehawk.

University of Brighton Vice-Chancellor Professor Donna Whitehead and PAYPR founder Kane Louis were recently appointed as co-chairs of the Whitehawk Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board after being chosen by Chris Ward MP, and are joined on the board by Ward and Councillor Gill Williams and Councillor David McGregor, who both represent Whitehawk on Brighton & Hove City Council. 

A further 8 board members have now been confirmed, all of whom live or work in Whitehawk, including 4 local people from Whitehawk chosen specifically to help give young people a voice in decision making. 

Destiny Moses, who has been actively involved with The Crew Club, local football and boxing, Ali Al-Jawaad, a student at Brighton & Sussex Medical School passionate about tackling health inequality, Nigin Regi, a University of Brighton student, and Davey Tidey, who is studying A-Levels at BHASVIC, were all chosen following a highly competitive selection process. 

They join Benjamin D'Montigny, a paramedic and community leader, Evie Martin, founder of Park Life Brighton and Skate Life, Tanya Saunders, a founder and trustee of Manor Road Gym, and Yasmine Aboutayab, a childcare practitioner with extensive experience supporting young people, families and community organisations in completing the 13-person board. 

Putting local voices at the heart

The board is now keen to hear from potential engagement partners who can help reach residents, community organisations, young people, families, local businesses, schools, faith groups, voluntary organisations and underheard voices across the area. 

Partners should bring local knowledge, inclusive engagement experience and a clear commitment to working with Whitehawk communities in a respectful, accessible and practical way.

The appointed partner or partners will support awareness raising, community conversations, pop-up engagement, drop-ins, survey support, targeted outreach, community champion activity and resident-friendly feedback. 

The work will help ensure that insight gathered from the community informs future priorities, investment decisions and the long-term Pride in Place Plan for Whitehawk.

Donna Whitehead, co-chair of Whitehawk Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, said: “This is an important opportunity to make sure local voices are at the heart of long-term change in Whitehawk.”

Co-chair Kane Louis added: “We want to hear from organisations and individuals who understand Brighton, have a genuine connection to Whitehawk or similar communities, and can help residents take part in ways that feel welcoming, useful and worthwhile.”

Get in touch...

Expressions of interest are particularly encouraged from organisations with experience of inclusive community engagement, neighbourhood planning, resident research, youth engagement, working with underheard groups, community development, local communications or partnership-led outreach.

Interested organisations should contact prideinplace@brighton-hove.gov.uk by 16 August 2026. 

They will then be contacted with an invitation to tender document and further details of the process.