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.

The stories describe Stockbridge Village as a friendly community that many residents feel a lifelong connection to. There is a wealth of community activity going on in the area, and development is underway to offer updated and purpose-built community spaces. Residents do, however, mourn the loss of the neighbourhood gazette, as they feel it is harder for people to find out what is going on in the area without this in circulation.

Stockbridge Village’s residents feel a strong connection to their area and community, and love to get involved in supporting their neighbours. Community activities are thriving in the area, supported by dedicated individuals giving up their time and expertise to work together for the benefit of others. Stories mention the community spaces that are important to bringing people together, and their hopes for the new ones being developed, which will help the area “blossom”. However, residents are worried that, without the circulation of the Stockbridge Village gazette, there is a lack of connection between the various bits of activity that are happening, and between residents who are currently less involved and “connected” to community activities.

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

You can view all of the stories gathered during the Community Conversations project here.

PVM have been working alongside Camden Disability Action training participants in Community Reporting. Collecting lived experiences of employment and the workplace with people who have Disabilities and/or long-term health conditions. 

This source of lived experience is the starting point of a co-production process with Camden council and to kick this off PVM and Camden Disability Action facilitated an online ‘Conversation of Change’ workshop.

During this workshop a short film was shown of the stories that were gathered during the Community Reporting process. These powerful stories of lived experience became the starting point for Camden residents and service providers to get together and plant the seeds of change in their local area. 

The workshop allowed everyone to reflect on the stories they had heard, relating them to their own life experiences and this was the focus of discussion in small groups.

Helping everyone to ‘shoot for the moon’ the workshop opened up the idea of the ‘dreamer state’. Posing the question ‘If you could have a dream service what would it look like?’ This approach inspired people to think a little bit out of the box. By the end of the workshop people had come up with initial ideas that of services that had imagination and gave hope.  

Camden Disability Action, the local Disabled resident’s and the council will now be collaborating and co-creating a local service together ensuring that the services are led by people who are Disabled or have long term health conditions and using these initial ideas as the foundation.

Kath Peters – PVM Project Manager

Last November I started to work with a group of community champions on a digital inclusion project called ‘Creative Connections’ at the CatStrand Arts Centre in New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway. The CatStrand Arts Centre is based in a semi-remote rural area in Southwest Scotland, and it is an essential resource where local people can get together to participate in arts, crafts and well-being activities.

The project was initiated because of the impact of lockdown on the CatStrand in reaching out and staying in touch with its local audience. During this difficult time the CatStrand streamed arts events throughout lockdown and although this was a successful way to reach an audience many of their local audience were not accessing their content.

The community champions were trained as Community Reporters and explored ways to use Community Reporting in a creative way. The aim of the project is to encourage residents to embrace the use of digital technology and to discover how it can be used in a creative and interesting way.

Despite the project being held up due to lockdown the community champions have developed technical and creative skills as well as embracing the ethos of Community Reporting and have been using the methodology in their work.

Kath Peters – PVM project manager