Making our community
the best it can be

better Bonymaen is a community-led initiative working to make our area a place where everyone can thrive. We believe that the people who live here know best what our community needs, and that by working together, we can build a brighter, fairer future for all.

Our projects and plans grow from local ideas - from community-led housing that offers security and pride of place, to greener energy solutions that reduce costs and care for our planet. We’re exploring ways to grow and share local food, improve our environment, and use creativity and the arts to bring people together and celebrate what makes Bonymaen special.

By supporting one another and encouraging everyone to take part, we’re creating a community that’s sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity. Together, we can make Bonymaen the best it can be - a place shaped by its people, for its people.

A group of people sitting around a red conference table in a meeting room, engaged in a discussion. The table has laptops, notebooks, mugs, and bottles. The room has artwork and maps on the walls, a hanging light, and one person appears to be speaking or presenting.

better community cohesion

What is a community?
A community is a network of relationships we build in the situations and spaces we share. It might grow from where we live, our work, a shared identity, values, interests, or faith.

But community is more than a fixed idea - it's something dynamic. People come and go, are born and grow older, and many voices tell the story of Bonymaen as a place that welcomes, supports, and connects. It’s a friendly place to live.

At Bonymaen Futures and better Bonymaen, we’re working to keep our communities places where people feel at home - where they belong. A place where life is better because we look out for each other.

People are at the heart of everything we do. We’re a grassroots movement - driven by the community, for the community.

Does this sound like something you believe in too? If so, why not get involved - and maybe even feature on our Team page?

better local food production

better Bonymaen believes a better food system - one that minimises environmental impacts and respects nature - could improve the risk of diet related diseases that shortens lives.

The benefit of locally grown vegetables is that they are full of natural nutrition and lack chemical contents found in modern ultra-processed foods sold by supermarkets.

Good nutrition helps our bodies process stress more efficiently so that we enjoy better health.

A vegetable garden with young plants supported by stakes, featuring a watering can, potted plants, and organized garden beds surrounded by greenery and trees.

better health & wellbeing

We can make choices that will improve our physical health. These might be by changing our eating habits, being more active, or taking time to rest. Just feeling better, having company, things we enjoy alone or together shared interests, having a project, or that for the time being there’s nothing urgent for me to do, all of these can contribute to better mental health too. 

Good health is part of wellbeing, a sense of being alright with ourselves and the world around us, being on top of things, secure and confident enough to cope with shocks should they occur. Exactly what is your ‘good place’ will be individual to you but we can also work for a sense of wellbeing that we share.

To many of us, Bonymaen is a good place to live but that doesn’t mean to say we can’t make it even better. What will make life better for you, for us all?

A person setting up a tent on a grassy hill during sunset with rolling landscape in the background.

better social inclusion

Social inclusion is the process of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in the community, regardless of background or identity.

We aim to create a socially inclusive Bonymaen based on a mutual sense of belonging to and respect for the community here. We plan to promote opportunities for all to enjoy life and do well.

People sitting in a modern lobby or waiting area, engaged in conversation and smiling, with a woman standing and talking to them, large glass windows in the background, and a busy atmosphere.

“…concept of community is like concept of family - very intact - we just need that little kickstart to show people we can do it - and we will do it !”

COUNCILLOR MANDY EVANS