Woodside in Westminster: Shaun Davies MP takes local voices to the heart of government
Shaun Davies MP for Telford has taken local voices from Woodside directly to the heart of government, meeting with the Prime Minister and senior Government ministers in Downing Street to discuss the long-term Pride in Place funding.
Telford was proudly chosen as the launch site for the Government’s national Pride in Place Programme last year, unlocking a £20 million investment for residents in Woodside, Sutton Hill, and Brookside. This funding includes £20 million secured through lobbying efforts of Shaun Davies MP in addition to Telford & Wrekin Council committing a further £10 million following direct discussions between Shaun Davies and Council Leader Cllr Lee Carter.
Woodside Councillors Kelly Middleton and Helena Morgan (also Chair of Madeley Town Council) made the trip to Westminster to champion the Woodside community and underline the importance of this sustained investment across South Telford, which is set to be rolled out over the next decade.
Since last summer, Shaun Davies MP has been asking residents of South Telford how they would like the funding to be spent. During the visit, Kelly and Helena shared the community’s views, ideas, and priorities, ensuring they were represented directly at the highest levels of national decision-making.
Shaun said: “I fought to secure this investment but the decisions about how it’s used must come from the people who live here. But it doesn’t’ stop here, resident input remains central to shaping the next steps of this project. It is about moving beyond reports and statistics and ensuring that Ministers and the Prime Minister understand what life is really like in our communities, what is working, what is not, and what investment is needed to make a genuine difference.”
Kelly and Helena added: “We made this trip to ensure Woodside’s voice was heard loud and clear. Shaun is standing up for Telford making sure people in our town are properly represented, and we were proud to speak up for Woodside in Downing Street. When local people are part of national conversations, decisions are shaped by real experience and result in solutions that work for communities, not generic fixes.”
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This evening, Downing Street was filled with people who have poured extraordinary energy, creativity and pride into the places they call home. People who have gone above and beyond to make their neighbourhoods better, from organising clean‑ups to championing regeneration. Tonight we celebrated the impact they already have made and their work to continue inspiring others. This is what our Pride in Place programme is all about. We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing those who build our communities up – giving local people the power, and the funding, to transform where they live.”
Residents are encouraged to continue sharing their views on what needs to happen next in Woodside and across South Telford, helping to inform ongoing discussions with Government and partners by visiting shaundavies.org/prideinplace
