Let’s Keep Talking: Community Conversations – Thursday 20th and Tuesday 25th November

I manage our Community Development team and this can involve a lot of talking and a lot of tea! Quite rightly, because conversations are where community magic happens, where ideas are sparked and grow into projects, where misunderstandings become understandings, and where we connect over our similarities and learn through our differences.

We have now come to the end of this year’s Living in Southmead conversations and update (but if you have not yet completed the questions, please do before the end of the month HERE). It has been great to be out and about in the community chatting to people and hearing everyone’s views about Southmead.  It is our second year of asking the question – how welcoming is Southmead? But for the first time we have asked – how has the community changed?

Most people find Southmead to be a very welcoming place to live, and some people find any changes disconcerting, but thanks to our team’s skill in having conversations we were able to talk things through with residents and sometimes even put minds at ease.

It is important to feel safe to talk about, and to be able to find out information on, the things that matter to you.  Here at Greenway, as a community hub, we provide spaces to do this.  We have two conversation events coming up this month so please do join us.

• Let’s Talk About Drug and Alcohol Recovery – Thursday 20^th November, 4-7pm

Southmead Development Trust is one of the organisations which make up Horizons – Bristol’s Drug and Alcohol Partnership.

At this event we will be welcoming the new Horizons North Bristol hub team, based here at Greenway Centre. The team will be sharing information about what they do and what they can offer residents as part of a recovery journey.  One of the team, Rob, is a Peer and Community Development Coordinator and will be at the event to chat with residents. You can read Rob’s story HERE.

Everyone is welcome to drop-in, 4-7pm, to the event in Garden Hall at Greenway for conversation, info, refreshments, and entertainment.

• Join The Conversation: Community Resilience – Tuesday 25^th November, 5.45pm for 6pm start

As we face increasing division, uncertainty, and anti-immigration rhetoric, our partners Diverse Artists Network are asking: How can we come together in community; what would people like to say about these issues within a safe space; and how can we use creativity to connect with each other?

Sign up to come along HERE (there will be refreshments provided).

 

If you would like more information on either of these events or to talk to me about something else, hopefully over a cup of tea, do contact me, email: lucillesmith@southmead.org, or call: 0117 950 3335.

For all events at Greenway, click to our What’s On calendar HERE