Holding neighbourhoods together
Regular readers of this blog will be aware that we’re passionate about building for change from the grassroots upwards. They will also be aware of the stress we place on the importance of creating a genuine sense of community and solidarity in our neighbourhoods, one that will enable us to build a platform for change. Alongside of this, they will be aware of the contempt we have for the divide and rule merchants who seek to sow the seeds of division in our communities so that we end up at each others throats. This was something we wrote about at length in this piece:
Building neighbourhood solidarity and resilience 23.10.24
We support community projects that bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds. At the end of the day, whoever we are and wherever we're from, we all want to live in a neighbourhood where people look out for and care for each other. A neighbourhood that in an age of failing public services can provide networks of support for its more vulnerable members. A neighbourhood that's making steps to take control of its food supply with community gardens/allotments, community food kitchens, food buying groups and the like. A neighbourhood that once it gains a degree of self confidence about looking after itself, will start to ask some searching questions about power, who exercises it and how it has to be brought right down to the grassroots.
You don’t need us to tell you that we live in troubled times. Here in the UK, austerity is eating away at vital community services. This provides all too fertile ground for the divide and rule merchants to spread their poison, pitting us against each other, giving those who presume to rule over us the excuse to impose stricter controls over us, just to keep the lid on a volatile situation. This is why we support neighbourhood level community groups who in the face of all of this, are doing their level best to fill the gaps left by austerity while trying to generate a sense of solidarity and belonging. A number of these groups are featured below and also, on this page: The Directory.
Community groups & resources
BATH
Grow for Life - Transforming lives through gardening
BRISTOL - NORTH
BRISTOL - SOUTH
Inns Court Community & Family Centre
TRESA (Totterdown residents) - X
KEYNSHAM
Keynsham Community Hub - Facebook
Needless to say, The Directory is very much a work in progress. The list above is a heck of a long way from being anything that could be described as comprehensive. So, if you’re involved in a neighbourhood level project anywhere in the Avon region and would like to have a listing in The Directory, please feel free to get in touch, let us know what you do, and we’ll get an entry in. Alternatively, if you know of a community project that’s not listed but you feel should be, again, feel free to get in touch. Any help in building The Directory to make it a comprehensive resource for anyone living in the Avon region will be gratefully accepted.