Pride in Place Matson & Robinswood
Over the next 10 years, local people will decide how it's spent. Do you want a say?
What is Pride in Place?
Pride in Place is a Government programme that puts local people in charge of improving their own neighbourhood. Matson & Robinswood has been chosen to receive up to £20 million over the next 10 years — around £2 million every year.
Residents will decide where the money goes: from parks and green spaces to community buildings, shops and community businesses, activities for young people, renovating buildings or bringing empty and run-down sites back into use. A local Neighbourhood Board will lead those decisions, with everyone in the area getting the chance to have their say.
About Matson & Robinswood
Matson & Robinswood sits on the south-east side of Gloucester, at the foot of Robinswood Hill. Its green spaces, good connections and active community make it a place full of potential.
What stands out most is the strength of its people and partnerships. Community groups, voluntary organisations, sports clubs and businesses already work side by side here — advocating for their neighbours, running youth clubs, supporting families and helping residents reach their full potential. This investment builds on that energy, backing local people to lead.
Our neighbourhood
The Matson & Robinswood Pride in Place neighbourhood covers the area shown on the map. It does not necessarily align exactly what you might think of as Matson and Robinswood. The Board has an opportunity to request any changes to the area by August 2026.
Meet the board
The Neighbourhood Board will shape a long-term plan centred on local priorities and ensure that the people who live and work here are driving the decisions.
Independent Chair
Jason has spent his career working in communities across Gloucester and the wider county, specialising in employability and skills development. He is Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and has taken on the role of Chair to help ensure this investment is genuinely led and controlled by the people who live here.
Gloucester MP
Alex has spent the last year working hard behind the scenes to bring Pride in Place to Gloucester, and he can’t think of a better place for this programme than Matson and Robinswood. He shares Jason’s ambition to ensure the £20 million government investment is spent on people’s real priorities, with the community driving decisions and being involved every step of the way.
Resident
Originally a teacher and regional development officer for British Athletics, I moved to Matson in 2003 to manage what became ‘Together in Matson’, based at the Redwell Centre. I retired in about 2011. My wife and I are heavily involved at the Baptist Church. I am treasurer and look after the maintenance of the building with help from others. The church sees itself as part of the community, and provides a base for many local people to come together for health and cultural gatherings in addition to twice weekly food distribution. I was a governor of Robinswood (now Hillside) school and have been a trustee of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust from its early days. Since its inception I have been involved in Matson, Robinswood and White City Community Partnership, helping to encourage the wonderful voluntary organisations working in the ward. I have been Chair for the last 15 years. My lifelong interests have been young people and community, and I love to see young people flourish and excel. Likewise I am passionate about our environment and would love to see an end to littering and fly tipping, more wild spaces and better access to one of our major assets, Robinswood Hill. Pride in Place gives us a unique opportunity to transform our ward, to invest in sustainable community buildings, and to build on that sense of togetherness and community which makes this ward special and a place we can all be proud to live in.
Resident
I’m Dean Henry, a father of four, a local business founder/owner, and someone who is passionate about seeing communities given the opportunity to thrive. Matson and Robinswood are important to me as I spent many years playing for Matson Football club, attending Moat junior school and Central Technology College. Though I still live in the area, and take my children to up to Robinswood Hill at least once a month the area has much beloved place on my heart. As a local resident and business founder, I understand the strengths, ambitions and challenges of the area, and I want to help ensure that local people are at the heart of decisions about its future. Day to day, I work as an Operations Director within the supported living and social care sector in Gloucestershire. I wanted to join the Pride in Place Board because I see a real opportunity to help shape positive change over the next decade. I want to be a genuine voice in deciding what happens locally. For me, Pride in Place is about more than improving buildings and public spaces; it is about investing in people, strengthening local pride and developing the area into a place that residents genuinely, genuinely, genuinely... feel proud to call home!
Resident
I have spent many years supporting children, young people and families across both public and private organisations. My experience has involved helping people through difficult situations, building confidence and making sure people feel listened to and supported. It has given me a good understanding of the challenges families can face and the importance of having the right support around them. Day to day, I’m a busy mum balancing family life with work supporting families and young people. I’m passionate about positive mental health, wellbeing and creating supportive environments where people feel able to ask for help and talk openly. My connection to Matson and Robinswood goes beyond my work. I have spent many years taking part in local community activities, attending events run by the many amazing organisations in the area and being involved in neighbourhood groups. I have also worked locally as a youth and community mentor, supporting young people and bringing women together to build connections and support networks. I wanted to join the Neighbourhood Board because I care about the community and the people who live here. I want to use my experience, listen to local residents and help make sure families, young people and the wider community have a voice in the decisions that affect them.
Resident
My name is Emily, and I was born and raised in Gloucester surrounded by family and friends. I currently work as a Business Systems Manager in the construction sector and have previously held professional roles across sales, marketing, operations, and education. I was raised in Abbeymead and have lived in Matson for the past year and a half. My father also grew up on Norbury Avenue. I applied to join the Pride in Place Board because I believe the area possesses a wealth of untapped potential. The neighbourhood has a rich history spanning hundreds of years, and I am passionate about preserving and celebrating that heritage for future generations. I am also keen to promote the beautiful countryside that surrounds our community and to support improvements such as enhanced public walking routes, the restoration of local wells, and the creation of attractive outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, faiths, and cultures. I look forward to working with fellow board members and the wider community to help make Matson and Robinswood an even better place to live, work, and visit.
Resident
Hi, my name is Fiona and I'm a 49 year Old mum of 2 and I live in Matson. I am Gloucester born and bred, attending Beaufort School then working in the city for many years. In 2008 I moved to New Zealand and spent 10 years there. I met my husband and had my 2 children. We moved back in 2017 so I could be closer to family and moved to Matson in 2018 where we have been happy ever since. My children started at Robinswood preschool and have stayed there throughout the changes to Hillside as well as using the Redwell Centre and getting involved in local activities. I work at Hillside as a Catering Assistant and love it, as well as baking. I'm often the cake lady and bake for birthdays and special occasions. I decided to apply for the board as I'm aware of negative feelings towards the area, and I too had a similar opinion until I moved here and loved it, the community feel, the things for the children to do, there is so much potential in Matson and Robinswood and I would love for people to feel proud to live here!! People need their voices heard and this is an amazing opportunity to do just that.
Resident
I've lived in Matson for decades. Working in construction, I bring a practical, hands-on understanding of local infrastructure and building. I've also spent thirty years immersed in community life in Matson, most visibly through rugby: I've coached and played for Matson Rugby Club, helping build skills, confidence, friendship and belonging among local young people season after season. That grassroots youth work sits at the heart of what I want Pride in Place to deliver — better youth provision, safer streets, and a firm commitment to ensuring investment goes to the causes that will make the biggest difference. My motivation is straightforward: I want to give something back to a community that has shaped my life for three decades. My priorities are practical and rooted in what I see on Matson's streets every day, and it's important that we're transparent when spending the £20 million investment.
Chief Executive - Gloucester City Homes
I am Chief Executive of Gloucester City Homes (GCH), where I lead an organisation providing around 5,000 homes across Gloucester. My career has spanned housing, health, local government and social care, with a consistent focus on how good public and community services shaped by communities can help people and places thrive. Through my work at GCH, I have come to know Matson and Robinswood as a rich, vibrant and diverse community, with strong relationships, local knowledge and a huge amount of talent and commitment already within it. That shapes what I hope to bring to the Board. I am passionate about challenging a “doing to” mentality and starting instead with the strengths, ideas and ambitions that already exist within communities. For me, meaningful change comes from listening well, sharing power and creating the conditions in which people can shape what happens in their own neighbourhoods. As a housing Chief Executive, I hope to bring experience of locality and strategic partnership working, turning ambition into practical delivery. I believe Matson and Robinswood has enormous potential, and I want to play my part in supporting a community-led approach that builds on what is already strong, leaving a long-lasting legacy for future generations.
Resident
Hi, I’m Jake. I am a local university student currently studying law, with the hope of becoming a qualified solicitor in the near future. Pride in Place is particularly meaningful to me, as I care deeply about the community and want to play an active role in helping create positive, long-term change. As a younger member of the board, I strive to bring a fresh perspective to the decision-making in the local community with the goal of ensuring that the voices of all generations are heard. As well as this, I will focus on making sure that investments directly contribute to improving the everyday lives of residents.
Head of Engagement and Learning, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
I work on Robinswood Hill and my children attend school nearby at St Peter's, so although I don't live in Matson or Robinswood myself, this community is a big part of my daily life. My day job is Head of Engagement and Learning at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, where I've developed a real passion for the role nature-based solutions can play in tackling climate change and supporting mental wellbeing. Robinswood Hill Country Park is such a beautiful space, I am particularly invested in making it as easy as possible for everybody to enjoy it. My background is in delivering projects with communities rather than for them, facilitating listening exercises and building projects iteratively, so people shape not just the outcome but the journey to get there. I’m comfortable handling everything from large, complex budgets to smaller pots of funding where every pound needs to count as well as leveraging in further funding to make the most of every investment. What I'd most like to see is better access to good-quality green space, safer routes to enjoy it, and residents genuinely involved in decisions about planning and housing. I want Matson and Robinswood to have the same opportunities for nature, integration and local jobs as anywhere else.
Resident
I am a proud local resident of the Matson and Robinswood ward and have lived in the area since I was four years old. Having grown up here, I have a deep understanding of the community and the issues that matter to residents. My connection to the ward is personal and long-standing: I attended local schools here, and my own child has benefited from the same local education system. That has given me first-hand experience of how much strong schools, community facilities and support for local families matter. Since 2019 I have volunteered and given back to the community, supporting and helping at The Ewe Space and the Phoenix Centre, and I served on the committee of the residents' group for over six years, working alongside others to represent residents and contribute positively to the area. I am passionate about Matson and Robinswood and proud to be part of such a strong and diverse community. My long-standing connection to the ward, combined with my volunteering and community involvement, has given me a genuine understanding of the people, places and priorities that make our area special.
Resident
Hi I'm Megan, I've lived in Matson for the past five years with my partner and our two young children, and we truly love the area. For the last four years I’ve worked at Matson Library, a role I absolutely love because it means meeting and connecting with so many people in our community every day. I applied to join the Pride of Place board because I want to be a voice for local residents and help turn the community's ideas into real, lasting improvements. Living and working here has shown me how much people care about Matson and how many great suggestions there are for making it even better. I’d love the chance to help bring those ideas to life and create something we can all feel proud of for years to come.
Resident — Vice Chair
My name is Naomi Draper. I have lived in Matson for over 25 years and have worked within the community for 20 years. For 10 of those years, I volunteered at local organisations before co-founding GL4 CIC in 2016, where I am now the CEO & Artistic Director. I live with my partner, our two sons, and our cat. When I'm not working, I enjoy watching true crime documentaries, going out for food & cocktails with friends and going on holidays. I wanted to join the Pride in Place board because I am very proud to live in Matson and extremely passionate about the community and the opportunities that they have access to. I wanted to be a voice for people who feel less confident to have their say and join the board. I hope people in the area trust me enough to be honest about what they would like for their community.
Resident — Vice Chair
I am ex forces; I left home at 17 to be a soldier, and I served in Northern Ireland during the Queens Silver Jubilee year. Since being in Gloucester I have worked in the Charity sector, in community development. I am a Senior Community Organiser. I am a director of Community Roots CIC. I oversee a Community Hub called the Ewe Space with the aim eventually to hand it over to the M&RRG to manage the building themselves. I have lived, worked and volunteered in the area since coming from London 37 years ago, including a community governor of Finlay School, vice chair of the White City Tenants Association and I was the first CEO of GL Communities to name a few. I am passionate about this community; I want it to be the best it can be. I want the residents given opportunities to thrive, to grow and develop. The children and young people to feel safe where they live and aspire to succeed in all they do. Elderly residents have skills and experiences; let's ask for their knowledge and encourage respect and relationships between the generations. For all these reasons I want to contribute as a Board member.
Resident
I was born and raised in Matson, and I've spent much of my working life supporting the children, young people and families who call this place home. For the past five years I've worked as a Youth Leader at The Redwell Centre, delivering youth activities and community projects across Matson and Robinswood. Before that, I spent around forty years working with children in education, nurseries, private childcare and specialist provision for children with additional needs, experience that's given me a deep understanding of what local families really need. Every week I hear directly from young people and parents about the issues that matter most to them, and that's shaped what I want to see change. I'd like more positive opportunities for young people, somewhere safe to go, fun things to do, new experiences to try, and people who genuinely believe in them. I'd also love to see better community facilities and more spaces where families can come together, because there's so much good happening in Matson that doesn't always get noticed. Above all, I believe the best ideas come from the people who actually live here. Matson has always been my home, and I want to help make sure this investment listens to local people and creates something that benefits families for generations to come.
Deputy Chief Executive, Active Gloucestershire
I have spent my career working with people, communities and organisations to help create healthier, happier and more connected communities. I’m currently the Deputy Chief Executive of Active Gloucestershire, where I work with partners across the county, and country to support people to move more. My work is guided by the belief that communities do not need fixing, they need the chance to build on the strengths, assets and potential that already exists. And how sport, physical activity and everyday movement can build confidence, wellbeing, connection and belonging. Although I do not live in Matson or Robinswood, I’ve been a Gloucester resident for the past 20 years and I have worked with communities across Gloucestershire for many years and understand how much place matters. Where we live shapes our opportunities, relationships, health and our hopes for the future. I wanted to join the Pride in Place Board because I believe the future of Matson and Robinswood should be shaped by local people and those close to the community. I hope my knowledge of sport, physical activity, community development and partnership working can support the board to turn ideas, pride and potential into lasting change.
Resident
I am Val Farley and I live in Robinswood, as do my son, daughter-in-law and my four grandchildren. I moved to Robinswood from Bristol. I served for thirty years with Avon and Somerset Police, a role I greatly enjoyed because it involved handling different situations every day. Sadly I am now a widow; I lost my husband Mike during Covid. Day to day, you will find me out shopping, and most afternoons in the Robinswood Hill Café — I call it my happy place, so please come and talk to me. I am co-Chair of Gloucester City Homes Customer Voice, another role I find rewarding. I also do the school run two days a week and look after my son's French Bulldog, Hugo, on a Thursday. I joined the Pride in Place Board because I want to help make a difference in the community, make sure local voices are heard, and support opportunities for both young people and older residents.
Resident
I am a qualified solicitor with 18 years' experience in the family law sector and currently work within the Ministry of Justice. Throughout my career I have been driven by a strong commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of society and improving access to justice. Outside of work I enjoy running, cycling, baking and taking part in local litter-picking with my family. As a resident of the Robinswood area and the parent of a child at the local primary school, I am deeply invested in our community and its future. I am passionate about making a positive and lasting contribution to the area, helping to strengthen community engagement and enhance opportunities and prospects for local residents.
Get involved
We need talented and committed people to apply to join the board, but that is not the only way to get involved. Sign up as an individual to hear about future opportunities to contribute through events, working groups, online surveys, and be kept in the loop. We also want local organisations and businesses to register for updates. More to follow after the board is appointed in August.
Individuals
Everyone living and working in Matson & Robinswood can help shape what happens. Joining the more formal board is not the only way to get involved. Sign up here and we will ensure you are kept up to date and invite you to have your say through events, surveys, working groups and local conversations as the programme takes shape.
Join the loopOrganisations & businesses
Tell us about the charity, school, community group, club or business you are part of, so we can keep you up to date and share future information about investment priorities and opportunities.
Register hereShare an idea
Big or small, a bold vision for the whole neighbourhood or a small change on your street - every idea matters and could help shape the future of Matson & Robinswood. More ways to get involved are coming soon, but feel free to email any ideas to chair@mrprideinplace.co.uk.
News & updates
Board appointments, events, milestones and decisions will all be shared here.
The Matson & Robinswood Pride in Place programme is investing up to £20 million over the next ten years into our neighbourhood. But before that investment plan is finalised, the Board is asking an important question: should the boundary of the programme be widened to include White City?
Why is this even a question?
The current boundary was set using something called an MSOA – a statistical area drawn up by the Office for National Statistics purely for measuring things like deprivation levels. It was never designed to reflect how people who live here actually see their own neighbourhood, and in practice, it shows.
Take a look at the two maps on the attachment below. The current boundary reaches into roads that most local people wouldn’t think of as Matson or Robinswood at all and it also includes Finlay Community School and Jenkinson Close, which sit within White City, while the White City estate itself, around Beaufort Road and Sapperton Road, is left outside the line entirely.
Look closely and compare the two – does the current line really match your sense of where “Matson and Robinswood” begins and ends? The Government has given every Pride in Place area the chance to review and adjust its boundary at this early stage, precisely because these statistical lines so often cut across real communities. We’ve put together a short paper setting out the arguments for and against including White City – covering things like the area’s 20-year shared community partnership, the shared local ward, deprivation data, and the practical impact on funding per household.
Read the full paper here
This is a genuinely open decision, and we want it shaped by the people who live here. Have your say and tell us what you think by clicking on this link.
Deadline midday Friday 21st August.
Pride in Place areas across the country are taking different approaches to community engagement including bringing in external consultants and participation specialists. Here in Matson and Robinswood, I'd rather back the organisations already connecting with residents day in, day out and whether you're a sports club, a school, a charity, or another local community group.
We're offering grants of £6,000 to up to fourteen local organisations to continue and extend those conversation between now and Christmas, gathering the views and ideas that will shape our first plan. Support and training will be provided. Details of how to apply are attached.
Deadline: Closed
We're building a small team to support the Board and the delivery of Pride in Place through its first phase, one day a week from now to March 2027:
Project Manager - pulling the plan together and keeping things moving
Board Secretariat - organising meetings, taking minutes, and following up on actions
Website, Social Media & Communications - promoting Pride in Place on social media and keeping our website up to date
As Chair, my commitment is always to build on the strengths of the organisations and people already doing brilliant work in Matson and Robinswood. So these roles are not for open recruitment and we're not looking to hire anyone directly. Instead, we're asking organisations to put forward an existing member of staff with the right skills and capacity, and we'll pay your organisation as the employer. Full details are attached.
Deadline: Closed
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Contact
Send an email to the Pride in Place team and we’ll make sure your message reaches the right person.
chair@mrprideinplace.co.uk