By providing regular updates and open communication, we aim to ensure that our projects are well understood and that residents feel informed and heard throughout the process. We understand that, by providing timely and relevant information, the community is more likely to appreciate the nature of our work, even when challenges arise. In many cases, residents who initially have concerns about our projects come to better understand the context and purpose behind our work once they are involved in open discussions and receive transparent updates.

A great example of this approach is at our recently completed project in Compton, Berkshire; a large demolition, remediation and enabling works project. This was a very high-profile scheme with a very engaged and interested local community. However, our engagement efforts have delivered great success. As part of our stakeholder outreach, we provided comprehensive updates on the environmental remediation efforts, the mitigation we put in place to minimise impacts of our work, and the anticipated benefits of the redevelopment. Through town hall meetings, newsletters, social media posts, letter drops, radio interviews, local newspaper articles, detailed response letters, and one-on-one conversations, we addressed resident concerns and shared progress updates at every stage. This level of involvement gave residents the confidence that their voices were heard and that we were invested in the community’s wellbeing.

One of the challenges in projects like these is that public opposition often stems not from our specific works but from broader concerns over the development itself. However, because of Cognition’s proactive approach at Compton, we've seen a shift. It’s not been all plain-sailing; there have been issues to address, but the few residents who initially raised objections or complaints have more recently expressed satisfaction with our clear, detailed responses and actions, and the opportunity to engage in ongoing communication. Some of the positive feedback we received throughout the project are outlined below:

• Cognition have done an excellent job of communication to the local community the progress of your planned works and offer good communication channels to raise any concerns.
• Again your response is swift, clear and decisive, for which I and the residents are grateful.
• Thank you again for your excellent communication and responsiveness to community concerns during this project.
• I am grateful for the update and pleased to hear about the good progress. I hope when it becomes a building site that the person overseeing it is as helpful and prompt with response as you have been. So thank you.
• Many thanks for your reply and the rigorous procedures that you have applied. We are satisfied with your site activities and your prompt responses to our communications. We also greatly appreciate your updates and newsletters.
• I’d just like to thank you, Jake and the team for the prompt actions at closing out concerns raised throughout the project.  It’s been an absolute pleasure working alongside Cognition.
• Thank you. I wish everyone I dealt with was as robust and no nonsense as you are!

This feedback is hugely appreciated by all the Cognition team and is a testament to the value of engaging with the community, not just when issues arise but throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. We will continue to prioritise proactive engagement in all our projects, in the knowledge that it leads to more informed, supportive communities and helps pave the way for successful, mutually beneficial outcomes.