Bridge Lincoln CityPartnership Gathering
Being set up. This page is new and still filling in. Details here come from the Community Connector team.

How it works · Follow through

You said, we did

What partners raised at each gathering, and what has happened since. We add new rounds as the gatherings go on, and keep earlier ones up to date as things move on.

April to October 2026

Lincoln City Partnership Gathering

Wednesday 30 September 2026, Bridge Central, Portland Street, Lincoln · 25 partners came

You said

  • Energy bills may rise by around a quarter in January, so people need energy advice before then
  • Small organisations want evidence of their impact for funders but can't pay for research
  • Services want to reach people where they already go, such as drop-ins at community hubs
  • Young people not in education, work or training need a clearer route to support
  • Birchwood residents should have their say on the Pride in Place investment coming to the area

We did

  • DoneEmailed ten local organisations with research questions University of Lincoln students could take on, each based on a gap the organisation had named.
  • DoneSpoke to University of Lincoln students on 15 October about researching with local organisations, and agreed to bring partners' questions to a third-year research module in spring 2027.
  • In progressRestarting the Lincoln Network of Community Hubs steering group, with a network gathering planned for January 2027, so support and advice can reach more of the city's hubs.

Lincoln City Partnership Gathering

Wednesday 22 July 2026, Bridge Central, Portland Street, Lincoln · 25 partners came

You said

  • It's getting harder to reach isolated and housebound people as befriending services thin out
  • Engaging men is difficult
  • Good services have low uptake because people don't know about them
  • Short-term funding holds back longer-term work
  • Asylum seekers coming to the wellbeing hub face language barriers and can't find immigration advice

We did

  • DoneMade short-term funding part of our project plan: we now match partners' questions with University of Lincoln students, so small organisations can get free evidence of their impact.
  • DoneGot immigration advice information from the local MP's office for the Bridge Central wellbeing hub team.
  • DoneShared men's and peer support groups in the September notes, including Lincoln City Foundation's Fighting Fit boxing for young men and Let's Talk peer support.
  • DoneShared a digest of new and changed services, events and funding at the September gathering, so partners know more of what is out there.

Lincoln City Partnership Gathering

Wednesday 24 June 2026 · 14 partners came

You said

  • People far from work need people who come to them: people connect to people, not posters
  • Groups are split by age, and there are few chances for generations to meet
  • Young people don't know where to go for help, especially when they turn 18 and services change
  • Information needs to be short, clear and available offline as well as online
  • Partners want a way to connect between meetings

We did

  • DoneBrought Lincoln City Foundation's Connect to Work and Youth Employability Hub to the September gathering as a spotlight, with how to refer.
  • DoneMade 'gatherings that keep working between meetings' the first priority in our 2026/27 project plan.
  • DoneBuilt links with University of Lincoln Student Wellbeing and the Students' Union, so students in transition can be connected with community support.

Joint gathering with Lincoln City North

Thursday 21 May 2026 · 27 partners came

You said

  • WhatsApp Communities would be good for sharing posters and quick questions
  • But a group chat leaves out people without a work phone, and can get overwhelming
  • A website would help people find gatherings more easily
  • The gathering should be a knowledge hub, with no wrong door

We did

  • DoneRan a partner feedback form on staying connected between gatherings: 21 of 24 said a gathering website would be useful and 23 of 24 wanted a shared resources folder.
  • In progressSetting up this website for the Lincoln City gathering, with gathering dates and shared resources, as a template for all the Bridge partnership boards.

Joint gathering with Lincoln City North

Wednesday 29 April 2026 · 40 partners came

You said

  • Partners want a way to connect between meetings: a group chat, a shared online folder and short bios
  • Give more time for introductions: every time, people meet someone new
  • Use our shared voice to raise common problems, such as housing and hoarding
  • Hold themed gatherings and share news of funding and partnership bids

We did

  • DoneTurned partners' words into four draft statements about who the gathering is and what it does, and brought them back to the May gathering to discuss.
  • DoneShowed a mock-up of a gathering website in May and set out the options for keeping in touch (WhatsApp, WhatsApp Communities, email or Slack) for partners to weigh up.
  • DoneMade time at each gathering for a round of introductions and a partner spotlight, with a 'who was in the room' list in the notes so partners can reach each other.

Something to raise?

Bring it to the next gathering. We'll follow it up and report back here.

See meeting dates