Imagine St Helens aims to generate public engagement in a conversation about St Helens and its future. People voice their hopes, dreams and positive future visions for the town and take part in events in their neighbourhoods, community centres, the town centre shopping mall, and the town’s festival park site. It is a bold initiative in two senses: in encouraging an appreciative stance towards the town and its future – where often a negative view prevails – and, in hosting the conversation about the town’s future in the community rather than the town hall.