Women’s Design Service was funded by London Councils to set up Women’s Design Groups in twelve Boroughs across London from 2008-2011, the aim being “to increase community engagement & participation in local & regional planning & policy development”.

Women’s Design Groups perform for Gender what Access Groups delivered for Disability. WDGs include both women who are professionally involved in planning and the built environment, and women from the local community who have an interest in becoming more knowledgeable and engaged with issues affecting their neighbourhoods.

WDS established groups in the Boroughs of Barnet, Redbridge, Croydon, Southwark and Lambeth, and these groups have held a number of events and have liaised on a variety of issues with planners and regeneration bodies.

Above: Women's Design Group members at a project meeting at City Hall, August 2011

Project Manager, Georgia Wrighton, formed a close relationship with Planning Departments and with existing partnerships, projects and organisations.

Women’s Design Service worked in co-operation with local people and groups, aims to support all current and proposed initiatives that support increased community engagement in planning.