Leicester Digital Partnership CIC – Report from a Meeting in June 2025
The media landscape is changing, and it’s changing fast. As the barriers to participation shift, and the boundaries between civic life, creativity, and digital storytelling become more porous, there’s never been a more important time to strengthen the networks that support community-focussed media. That’s why we invited people involved in community media and communications across Leicester to come together for an informal and open networking event at LCB Depot.
This event was hosted by Leicester Digital Partnership CIC and supported by LCB Depot, and it offered an opportunity to meet others working in or exploring community media – whether involved in local news reporting, podcasting, radio, blogging, video production, or online community storytelling. Ths meeting offered space for sharing ideas, experiences, and questions – and for discovering the common ground that links our work.
From volunteer presenters and programme makers, to those working behind the scenes in technical roles or governance positions, the event was opened to all who contribute to Leicester’s media landscape in a not-for-profit and public-centred way. Groups didn’t need to have decades of experience –the meeting was just as much about newcomers and those curious about community media as it was about established voices. Everyone was welcome.
The aim of this meeting was simple: connect, converse, and collaborate. It started with refreshments and a powerpoint presentation by Dr. Rob Watson, then brief introductions, then it opened up for discussions on themes that affect us all:
- How can community media support Leicester’s creative and cultural sector?
- What opportunities are opening up as the city reimagines its library services?
- What are the implications of the proposed expansion of Leicester’s city boundaries for place-based and community media?
These are questions that go to the heart of what it means to communicate in a civic society. And they can’t be answered by any one group alone. We need a diversity of perspectives – technical, creative, organisational, and experiential – to shape a media environment that’s relevant, resilient, and inclusive.
RSVP via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/
Further meetings will follow as this meeting was well received and people agreed we need further discussions.
At Decentered Media, we believe in building long-term trust and mutual support between people working at the grassroots of media and communication. This event is one step in a wider process of ensuring that our city is home to a thriving and forward-looking community media sector.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Dr Rob Watson
