Our Research

How do we know that an organisation like citizens:mk is necessary for Milton Keynes? The answer is that we have commisioned a research report to be done on the level of community engagement in public life in Milton Keynes.

The aim of our research was to gather stories and insights from individuals and groups living in Milton Keynes who face difficulties in getting their voice heard and who feel disengaged from social, community or civic life.

In a series of meetings and discussions with different groups around Milton Keynes, we recorded views, personal quotes and ideas for participation.
We took a broad approach to the subject of 'participation', which may cover volunteering, involvement in communty groups, consumer or political action, campaigning on local issues, civic decision-making, expression of citizens opionion (e.g. responding to a consultation or writing a letter to a councillor).

Some of the communities involved were the Bangladeshi community, Senior Voice, the Somali community and several other diverse groups.

These insights were fed back to local voluntary organisations, the council, and the wider public in a written report, a copy of which can be found below:

Creating Greater Value: Participation in Milton Keynes