Chris Church

Mapping for Change

Mapping for Change uses and develops maps – on paper and online – on a local and regional scale to help voluntary organisations, local authorities, developers and communities understand and change the places we live in. Our work enables people to identify the kind of information they want on a map, to decide how it should be presented, and to maintain and develop their map once it is set-up. Some of the things we offer include: * Geographical analysis services to support funding applications, evaluation reports, highlight the distribution of activities to facilitate better targeted resourcing and the production of issue based thematic maps * Help with developing neighbourhood-level maps of a wide range of issues. These maps can promote local organisations, upcoming events, and local projects or sites (such as food-growing projects or community facilities). We have developed a text messaging alert system to inform users of local events and activities to accommodate the lack of internet access * Work with staff working in specific localities to develop ‘community maps' with and for the community organisations and people living in that area. Local people can choose the kinds of information that they want to see on the map and can help gather and manage that information * We can help map specific social or environmental issues - we have developed ‘noise maps' with local residents tackling problem sites (download our noise mapping toolkit). Locally gathered information can be mapped and compared with existing national or regional information * Local mapping can help build community engagement and pride by mapping the things people like, along with sites related to local culture and history * We can train staff in developing community mapping work as part of a community engagement plan and then simply offer background support.