Future Visions with Rob Hopkins

What makes a neighbourhood great to live in?

We're inviting people from market towns across Oxfordshire to co-author a vision of thriving streets and neighbourhoods. Citizens and residents, community groups, local organisations, councillors, do-ers, and anyone in between. No expertise necessary, all backgrounds and locations are warmly welcomed whether from Bicester, Banbury, Witney, Oxford, Abingdon, Thame or anywhere beyond or inbetween.
Why join?

We spend a lot of time talking about what's wrong with our streets and neighbourhoods. This workshop asks a different question: what would it actually look and feel like if we got it right? Not as an abstract idea, but as something vivid and real that we've built together.

The ability to imagine a different world together is a powerful act. It breaks us out of assuming the future will look like the present and opens up new possibilities for change.

Together, we'll generate futures we can all see ourselves in, with artist Richard Carman capturing your imaginings live through illustration as the day unfolds.

Diverse voices make this real rather than theoretical. Whether you live in a city, a market town, or a village, whether you drive, cycle, walk, wheel, or take the bus, your experience of Oxfordshire's streets and neighhourhoods is exactly what this day needs.
Where this fits

This is Workshop 2 of Future Streets Oxfordshire, convened by Oxfordshire Liveable Streets. It's a people-powered project co-creating a shared vision of thriving places, and unlocking the conditions for change. Building on what participants shared in Workshop 1, the next step is to turn to the future through collective imagination, live illustration, and a room full of Oxfordshire voices.
What change might come of this?

The vision and ideas that emerge from Future Streets will become visible to funders, decision-makers, and place-shapers across Oxfordshire. At the heart of it, this work is about centring what matters most to people and unlocking those ideas so that, collectively, we can steward different realities into being. It helps expand what feels politically and practically possible at a time when a lot of people don't feel able to contribute meaningfully to the change that's already happening, nor the change they'd like to see in their places.

What to expect

A full-day immersive workshop led by futurist Rob Hopkins, pioneer of the Time Travel methodology - a practice that uses collective imagination to make possible futures feel vivid and real. The day is imaginative, hands-on, and designed for participation, not presentation. Expect storytelling, collective visioning, and conversation. You don't need any prior knowledge or experience to take part.

The session runs 9.30am to 4.30pm at Oxford Town Hall. A delicious lunch and afternoon tea are provided.

Full programme details coming soon.

Who should attend

If you live in Oxfordshire and care about your places, this is for you. Whether you're a parent, elderly person, disabled person, young person (under 16s welcome with a chaperone), from an ethnic minority background, LGBTQ+, running a business, organising in your community, or representing local government, we're keen to hear from you and the unique perspective you bring.

Places are limited, so book now to secure your spot. This event is part of a 5-workshop series. Read more at Oxfordshire Liveable Streets: https://www.oxfordshireliveablestreets.org/

Can you make it?

We know that taking a full day out isn't possible for everyone without some support. We offer a participation stipend for people who would otherwise find it difficult to attend — for example, if you need to cover childcare, travel costs, or lost earnings.

To request support, please email [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Oxfordshire Liveable Streets