Since September PVM have been working with Gorse Hill Studios – A Youth Arts Charity based in Stretford, Greater Manchester – on a new project focused on gathering young people’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 was a challenging time for many young people, leading to an increase in financial, material and health related vulnerabilities. Existing connections to the social care system, institutions, job opportunities and vital support networks were strained, contributing to a decrease in social integration. This decline in connectivity was particularly difficult for communities who need support with developing digital communication skills. The CONTINUE project aims to support young people who may be experiencing social exclusion, through helping them to tackle the challenges of living in a world impacted by COVID-19. Activities are centered around keeping people connected and integrated into European communities. There are a total of 8 NGOs involved in the project, with expertise in sectors ranging from youth work, education, community-work and policy recommendation as well as an extended network of organisations from across Europe.

The initial stage of the project involved delivering a series of community reporter training session with young people. For PVM in the UK this happened at Gorse Hill Studios in Stretford, Greater Manchester. Young people learnt storytelling techniques and developed digital skills before recording their own lived experience stories reflecting on their experiences of the pandemic. Each young person’s story varied with some exploring the negative impacts such as feelings of isolation and loneliness and others highlighting the opportunity it provided them to focus on developing hobbies and interests. You can listen to the stories recorded by the young people in the UK and across Europe on the Institute of Community Reporters website.

In November, when the story gathering process is complete, partners will carry out a series on knowledge curation and mobilisation sessions. Young people will analyse the contents of the stories, picking out key themes and learnings which will then feed into a series of Conversation of Change events. These will take place in the localities where story gathering has taken place and invite the young people, local leaders and members of the wider community to collaborate and discuss what findings have emerged from the stories.

Stay tuned for project updates and to find out more about future activities!

Like communities all over the country, the residents of Fitton Hill, Salford and Stockbridge Village have been hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns. Lockdown has been a negative and difficult experience for many people and the isolation and lack of social contact has impacted upon their wellbeing. However, the stories also reveal how people have adapted their ways of working and socialising, and continued to support one another throughout the crisis. Indeed, many of the residents tell us that they believe the pandemic has brought them closer to their neighbours. COVID also impacted on people’s health and wellbeing in other ways, by restricting their access to exercise and the outdoors, and sometimes by suffering from the effects of the disease itself.

Living through a pandemic has been difficult for everybody, and the major impacts on freedom, socialising and work have affected everyone, but they haven’t affected everyone equally. Some people without access to green space and exercise facilities have struggled to maintain their physical and mental health. A lack of groups and ways to connect socially has left many people feeling isolated, bored and desperate for connection. However, the pandemic has for some people had positive impacts in that it has brought them closer to their immediate neighbours, allowing them to forge new social relationships and mutual support networks. It has also created an atmosphere in which volunteering in the community has flourished. The challenge will now be to ensure that the community values and friendships that were created amongst hardship can be supported to continue as part of the recovery and reopening as the vaccine programme allows society to open up once again.

Want to explore more? Then listen to some story extracts that have informed this insight briefing by clicking on the links below:
• Impact of COVID-19 Story Extract 1
• Impact of COVID-19 Story Extract 2
• Green Spaces Story Extract

Residents, community workers and For Housing staff shared their experiences of living and working in Fitton Hill, and overall gave a positive impression of the area. People particularly praised the friendliness of their neighbours and said that the green spaces and landscaping of the area enhanced their wellbeing. Community organisations like the Reel and the Salvation Army bring people together to support one another. Some problems were highlighted, particularly issues with crime, disorder and vandalism to the local park.

Overall, residents’ stories about life in Fitton Hill were positive. The friendly community and green spaces enhances residents’ wellbeing. People feel well-supported by community organisations in the area and get involved with them. Having housing that meets their needs and access to a private garden supports residents to keep themselves safe, comfortable and well. Residents are happy living here, though crime and vandalism are concerns that have a negative impact on how safe and enjoyable people find the area.

Want to explore more? Then listen to some story extracts that have informed this insight briefing by clicking on the links below:
• Life in Fitton Hill Story Extract 1
• Life in Fitton Hill Story Extract 2
• Life in Fitton Hill Story Extract 3

Stories from the Salford area came from a larger and more dispersed geographical area and as such there was a greater diversity of opinion and experiences compared to the other two areas in the project. Tenants in Salford have a less unified experience, and the stories reflect this. There are, however, clear themes of factors that contribute positively to residents wellbeing, such as green spaces, community organisations and groups, and friendships among neighbours. There are also stories which highlight things that can hamper residents’ ability to stay well physically and mentally, including unsuitable housing, environmental problems and social tensions.

Salford is a large and diverse area and the stories told reflect the breadth and richness of residents’ experience of the area. Living in accommodation suitable for their needs support people’s wellbeing, as does access to green spaces, of which Salford has many. There is a huge and varied range of community activities and organisations thriving in Salford, many of which are spearheaded by local residents themselves to great success. Problems with unsuitable accommodation, lack of gardens, fear of crime and problems with littering and dog mess are affecting the wellbeing of some residents.

Want to explore more? Then listen to some story extracts that have informed this insight briefing
by clicking on the links below:
• Life in Salford Story Extract 1
• Life in Salford Story Extract 2
• Life in Salford Story Extract 3
• Life in Salford Story Extract 4

The theme of technology and communication ran through many of the wellbeing stories that were gathered by our Community Reporters. People described how digital tools were enabling them to stay connected with loved ones, make new connections with neighbours and switch to new ways of
working, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, they also told us that constantly using these tools – for work and socialising – can be draining. The stories also express concerns about who is included and excluded from digital methods of communication. Many of the stories we collected from Stockbridge Village discuss the quarterly gazette as an important tool for communicating with the community, so this report examines what the stories tell us about how For Housing might communicate with and within the areas that it covers.

We now have more ways than ever to communicate with each other digitally, but residents in the three For Housing areas are still missing more “old-fashioned” methods of face-to-face meeting and printed media. While the coronavirus vaccine gives hope for a return to more “normal” methods of communication and community interaction in the near future, communities have adapted by adopting new digital tools to communicate, such as WhatsApp, Zoom and Facebook groups. These tools are celebrated for their informality, friendliness and for bringing people together to support wellbeing and connection during an era of physical distancing. However, they do not include everyone, and residents worry about who is being left out of the conversation and socially isolated. Similarly, the overuse of screens can lead to problems with physical and mental health. While there is clearly great scope and potential for the use of these tools in future interactions and communications strategies, this must also be balanced by considering the implications of who is not being reached, and how we make sure that we hear from them too.

Want to explore more? Then listen to a story extract that has informed this insight briefing here.