Living in a community which is the intended beneficiary of a “Community Cohesion Project” can sometimes feel as though “them out there” are imposing ‘good works’ on you, unless the impetus came from within the community itself. This is exactly why story and reminiscence work can be so helpful. By its very nature, story-gathering honours and respects the character of the community, and supports movement towards celebration of its way of being. Story and reminiscence can help turn despondency or negative nostalgia into the beginnings of a restored pride in place. Alienation can grow into mutual regard and connection between the generations. Capturing the hidden stories and bringing them to life in a way that all community members can relate to is invaluable in beginning a turn-around in the fortunes of a community, and the sense of self-worth amongst the individuals it comprises.
As an experienced project manager in a previous (corporate) incarnation, I am well-placed to design and deliver planned results to time and cost. I can design and delivery workshop programmes, either as a sole practitioner or as part of your wider team, to work with groups experiencing disaffection or disadvantage for any reason. The content will of course vary according to need, but typically, the process helps participants recall the vitality, strengths and values of their community in the past, recognise the contibutions of and connections with other commmunity members, and visualise a positive future. Such a project may culminate in a spoken word performance by or on behalf of the community, and/or a documented and (if appropriate) published record of the community. An example of a community project to which I have contributed is a Celebration of the Mining Communities of East Kent.
Whether you live in a community at risk of being ‘airbrushed out of history’, work in a regeneration-related project, or work in a government or other interested agency, contact me For a creative conversation about how we could work together.
