Practice telling the stories our streets need.

You have ideas, experience and concern for the streets you work on or live along. But turning all of that into a clear, human story that others can hear and act on? That’s the hard part.

This informal drop‑in session is a space for transport practitioners, advocates and neighbours to bring one “live” street story or conversation challenge and leave with a more resonant way to talk about it.

Who it’s for

• Transport and planning practitioners who feel like their reports and models don’t quite land with communities or decision‑makers.

• Advocates and local leaders trying to build support for people‑centred, climate‑aware street changes.

• Anyone experimenting with bringing their own street to life and wanting help finding the words.

What we’ll do together (60–90 minutes)

• Prior: You’ll receive a storytelling workbook with an introduction to street storytelling concepts.​

• Share: During the session we introduce each other and share our live street story, project or the conversation we want to have.

• Reflect: small‑group or whole‑group coaching using gentle prompts (who’s your audience, what do they care about, what’s the shared value?).​

• Close: optional sharing and next tiny step (where and with whom you’ll try it next).

What you’ll leave with

• One clearer story or conversation starter tailored to a real audience you care about.

• A simple template you can reuse for other projects.

• A sense of solidarity with others trying to shift how we see and shape our streets.

No slides or polish needed, just you, your idea and a willingness to share.

What if we changed our nature strips into valued places with street trees for shade, and low-growing native plants for habitat and biodiversity, connecting throughout our cool, walkable suburbs?

That is the question explored in Gayle Dallaston's book: Garden on the Verge: A New Approach. Grab a copy of Gayle's book and join us to discuss how you can get started, and keep going, with native planting on your nature strip, verge, berm... and how this simple act can catalyse social connection and strengthen communities on a scale that extends well beyond your garden. 

Get your copy: 

The Shady Lanes Project | Gayle Dallaston | Substack