What improvements would you like to see in the area where you live? That’s the question BBC Gloucestershire will be asking people of all ages in two different corners of the city. Then we will do what we can to help them turn their dreams into reality. Think Ground Force meets Changing Rooms on a bigger scale and with a mission and you get the idea.  | | Tidying up this overgrown churchyard at Barnwood is one of the improvement ideas |
Voices of Gloucester will be based around the Central Technology College and Barnwood Park School and their surrounding communities. It is one of 50 similar schemes happening right across the UK, all of which are designed to give a voice and a helping hand to people in local neighbourhoods who may feel their views and ideas have been unheard until now. In Gloucester our aim is to involve the girls from Barnwood and the boys from Central, their families and the wider community in a series of improvements both inside and outside the two schools.  | | Another suggestion is to transform the neglected quad at Central Technology College |
Our hope is that working together on shared goals will help to break down barriers, dismantle stereotypes and lead to greater mutual understanding and appreciation of the many different cultural and religious elements of the area. The youngsters from Barnwood and Central have made a great start in drawing up suggestions to benefit their neighbourhoods. Their ideas include: - Turning the neglected quad at Central Technology College into a useful space, possibly an outdoor arts venue
- Restoring cycle links around Barnwood Park School
- Environmental improvements including recycling and cleaning up a churchyard adjoining Barnwood Park School
- Raising funds for a mini-bus which can be used both by the schools and to benefit the community, for example taking local pensioners on outings
- Setting up an internet cafe for local young people
- New websites for both schools
But Voices of Gloucester is not just about the schools and their ideas. We at BBC Gloucestershire want to involve every age group and every single part of the community in making Voices a success. Youth clubs, families, religious and community groups, councillors, shops, businesses - all can play their part. And if YOU live near Central or Barnwood Park we want to hear your ideas for making your part of Gloucester a better place to live. - Improved leisure or community facilities?
- Greater learning opportunities?
- Restoring a neglected area?
- Transport improvements?
 | | Simon Williams wants to hear your ideas and suggestions |
Tell us what you would like to see - because Voices is all about letting local people air their views in their own words, and giving them the chance to turn words into action by bringing those views to the attention of those who can do something about it. Simon Williams from BBC Radio Gloucestershire is leading the six-month-long project, and the station will be broadcasting regular updates on progress - many involving the pupils from both schools researching and presenting their own reports on air. There will be BBC TV coverage too, and here online we will be featuring a diary and photo-gallery as the projects and events take shape. We will need support and practical help of all kinds to make all the Voices projects a reality - so if you would like to be involved or find out more fill in our online form below or call Simon Williams on 01452 308585. We’re very excited - we hope you will be too. So get in touch if you want to be a part of Voices. | 
