Community Building in Abbeydale & Abbeymead
By Mark, Community Builder
I began my Community Builder journey in October 2021 in Abbeymead and Abbeydale, and was keen to build connections with people in the area. Three months in, those connections are now just starting.
First Steps
Having moved to Gloucestershire only four months before starting the role, I had no idea about the Abbeymead and Abbeydale areas. Standing there on my first day, I had no idea where to start or where to go. I felt like a stranger visiting for the first time.
And that was because I was a stranger in this area, the local residents didn't know me or know why I was there. So that is where I began.
Exploring the area really helped me find my footing, understand the routes people take, the resources in the area, asking the residents for directions and places to visit. Greeting each passer-by with a good morning/afternoon.
In the first month, I lost count of how many times I got lost, but each time talking to residents to get me back in the right direction really helped open conversation. Listening to people talk passionately about their area, the places they enjoy going and the activities they take part in.
A change in perception
About six weeks into the role everything had changed, as I sat down for my lunch, Frank, a local resident who I had said good morning every day since I started, opened up the conversation with me. This felt like a big shift in how I was seen in the area, I was no longer a stranger but a familiar face.
With each visit to the area, more and more people began talking to me, they introduced me to Tracey, an organiser at the local community centre which had previously been closed due to Covid restrictions at the time. Tracey introduced me to Julie who organised the Friendship Group. I had built a stronger relationship with the Community Centre Café, where I was introduced to members of the Abbeymead Rovers.
With people recognising me, the trust had started to develop with residents, they knew why I was there and what I was doing, and they wanted to help me find the right direction.
The strength of support
Without support, I would not be in the position I am today with the community. Carol, another Community Builder had experience community building in the area and each week I would spend one of my two days walking around with her, meeting her connections and exploring the area.
This allowed both of us to learn, and see different aspects of the Abbeydale and Abbeymead area. While exploring we found the Coney Hill Youth Centre and met with the Youth Team. We met with Val and the Knitting group at the Christ Church and started building more connections together.
One of my focuses was to help support young people, I reached out to Peter at Active Gloucester and Young Gloucester, who came to the area to be able to talk to young people about what was available for them, and what they would like to see.
This has continued my work, building more partnerships with the local PCSO and School Beat officers who have helped build connections with local schools to work more closely with young people to enable them to create something for themselves.
The impact
Starting out and having no connections can make it seem daunting, building trust with residents can be hard at the beginning and takes time, they don't know you and you don't know them.
Over three months I knew no one, now I have a strong relationship with the community centre and café, connections with different community groups, the local PSCO and School Beat officers.
I am now preparing for my first ideas party with local residents, and working with schools to support young people to create something they would like in the area. Taking small steps has really helped build that trust, with simple gestures as simple as saying good morning really helps build that foundation.