DDes Lecture — Participatory action-based design research: A youth engagement framework with transferrable lessons by the Greater Cambridge Youth Engagement Service (YES) Team

Bonnie is the Lead for the award-winning Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Youth Engagement Service (YES). YES exists to enable children and young people to have a genuine input into the design and town planning process: they get to learn about development proposals in their local areas, develop design skills and build capacity and confidence to partake in community consultations.    Bonnie has over 20 years of experience in youth engagement, architecture, urban design and town planning in private and public sectors. Bonnie’s contribution towards young people’s education, development and well-being is well recognised: In 2024, she was awarded an MBE for her service to education and youth engagement. She was also awarded Women of Influence by the Planner Magazine for her contribution towards youth engagement in the planning sector in 2024. In 2023, she won the Women Volunteer of the Year Award for her service towards education and community cohesion. In 2022, she won the prestigious Thornton Education Trust (TET) ‘Youth Engagement Practitioner Award’. She is also the winner of the 2021 Blossom Award in recognition of her contribution towards children’s well-being and education.  

Having joined Cambridge City Council in 2017, Heather has extensive experience leading shared services, especially through transformations and changes, and is proficient at leading people. Heather's areas of expertise include building control, street naming and numbering, town planning, land charges, housing and other consultancy services.  Heather’s role as the Deputy Director for Planning and Building Quality for Greater Cambridge Shared Planning and 3C Building Control entails the overseeing of Development Management, Section 106, Compliance, Built and Natural Environment and Planning Policy. Heather's interests include the creation of social value by early strategic interventions in the built environment. Heather is also a Champion for the award-winning Greater Cambridge Youth Engagement Service (YES).