What makes life better when times are tough? The answer in Kingsdown and Dove Street was good friends and neighbours. Pol and Sophie hadn’t met before they offered to coordinate the local Covid 19 response, but they shared an approach built on the values of friendship and good neighbourliness. The ambition was to bring people together to support one another, driven by the challenges, but with an eye on one sustainable community. Friendly Neighbours was born: everyone living locally was welcome to join and to give or get help, support and friendship.
Practical matters were straightforward thanks to generous donations of money and supplies from local people. Children and families were helped through local primary schools, food clubs, St Paul's Children Centre and Malcolm X. Links across the community developed and a core group from different ages, cultures and backgrounds came together to make a difference to their community in any way they could.
‘It's amazing to see how things are progressing!’
Suad
Volunteers were paired with residents who needed company and help with errands; they found that is as good to give help, as it is to get help.
A regular Tea and Talk Zoom provided an opportunity to get together in a friendly, welcoming space; people talked about difficult things that were happening to them including missing family and the loss of loved ones from Covid. There was laughter and tears, with each session taking new directions, whilst always being inclusive and supportive. Meeting people from aged 16-80+ with diverse cultural and social backgrounds proved a great place for making new friends and dreaming about the future – picnics, parks, friends!
Friendly Neighbours Facebook was created by a school student who also secured two donations to empower women through learning English and to improve play places for children in the high-rise flats. Meanwhile a circus skills video, featuring Amy and Freya was accompanied by kits to make juggling balls so children could join in however small their space. In November 2020, 1200 leaflets were delivered by 20 locals, at truly short notice; all households knew what Friendly Neighbours stood for and how to get in touch.
‘Just a lovely way to get involved with some amazing people from my community. All hoping to make it a better place to live’
Steph
April Richmond, Community Development, supported spontaneous introductions to several neighbours interested in developing growing space outside Carolina House. By July 2021 Carolina House residents had created a community garden ‘Dove Garden’ in an area previously known by the children as that ‘creepy place’ and by others as the ‘fly-tipping corner’. They cleared the area, painted seats and
Friendly Neighbours together know how to and where to find solutions to the problems faced by the community. Strangers became friends; neighbours became friends: with each link a community becomes stronger.
‘It is such a privilege for me to be part of Friendly Neighbours. Bringing people together, hearing personal histories, building understanding of what we can do together and for each other. Friendliness, kindness, and social connection is to me, the beating heart of Friendly Neighbours’
Sophie
Fresh from a day at the seaside for over 30 families, excited to see each other and share thoughts, feelings and fun together as neighbours, the community continues to grow and strengthen.
To find out more and to get involved, visit Friendly Neighbour's Facebook page.
