Supporting our local groups

Have you noticed or heard about any of the following, or other changes to the way that people in Coseley work and live during the pandemic? Here are some of the general things we’ve noticed happening in Coseley and surrounding areas:

• More people taking an interest in growing
• The value of a neighbourly chat over the fence 
• An increase in acts of kindness for vulnerable neighbours 
• An increased appreciation for open spaces
• People started slowing down and embracing nature
• People discovering new places on daily walks 
• People reviewing unnecessary spending, exploring simple ways to entertain at home
• Older people using technology to connect with loved ones and to find old friends 
• People cycling, running or walking to places instead of using their car
• People using local businesses more for essential supplies

In September 2020, residents, groups, organisations and workers in Coseley came together to discuss and gather insights from the response to the pandemic, and generate learning to inform the Big Local delivery. Here are some of the things people said:

Observations of ways local residents, groups, organisations or workers in Coseley supported people in communities to stay connected and well during lockdown:

• New groups emerged to take action and to help other people access services. Local residents responded to the pandemic by setting up community support networks on social media, including Facebook pages ‘Here to Help’ and ‘Born and Bred’ sharing local information and advice. Next Door was set up for Roseville (Nextdoor is the neighbourhood hub for trusted connections and the exchange of helpful information, goods, and services.)
• The work of the JST Community Connectors, supporting residents with family living far away, and the efforts of local groups and residents supporting local isolated people.
• Collaborative working with groups and organisations, Just Straight Talk, Coseley Food Bank, residential homes (Willowfields and Jack Newall Court) Dudley CVS, Integrated Plus, and external funders, helped Big Local workers to meet the challenges of the pandemic and reach more vulnerable people in Coseley. Big Local Community Connectors also teamed up with local community groups using communication tool, Whatsapp, to maintain connection. 
• Local groups, including Coseley Food Bank, found it good to interact with more people and support people in need with food supplies and shopping. Families were also supported with bespoke food bank parcels if there were particular dietary needs.
• Older residents used social media to connect people together to improve local green spaces. An 82 year old man who wanted to look after his wife’s grave used Facebook to call out for help to improve the churchyard, and to let them know when he’d be there if they wanted to help or simply have a chat. A section of the churchyard has now been transformed.
• Helping people to stay connected using tablets funded by Big Local resulted in people making new connections and reconnecting with old friends. The reach and value for money of this project investment was recognised.
• The pandemic made people look out for their neighbours more than ever before. People were looking after their neighbours despite having to self isolate. This included small acts of kindness to new neighbours who were new to the area, signposted to useful local information. This helped to bring people together.
• Volunteers in Coseley have gone further than simply doing people’s shopping, going the extra mile to respond to other needs including tackling loneliness by befriending, connecting to others or supporting people with IT.  
• Groups have received funding from Big Local during the pandemic. The Coseley Station gardeners, have maintained Coseley stations platform garden throughout lockdown. The team have received £500 of Big Local funding to continue to improve the green space. Local group, New Hope Church, received funding from Big Local for Baby Bank, to connect with and provide essential supplies for families.
• Some restrictions have been lifted but people are still restricted in what they can do and Government guidelines change on a daily basis. The pandemic isn’t over.
• There are barriers for people with technology. Some people are without I.T. equipment, have low confidence in using new technology or poor wifi, meaning that some people were not able to connect in virtual ways.
• Local groups recognised the need for venue improvements during the pandemic, for example, 1st Coseley Scouts have found the motivation to make improvements to the scout hut.
• Big Local Community Connectors joined virtual meetings delivered by Local Trust to connect and take part in conversations with other Big Local areas. It was noted that other Big Local areas faced similar challenges and emerging themes.
• Big Local workers found that many people wanted to continue to volunteer and support vulnerable people in the community when the Covid-19 Support Network ended.

What stands out about how Big Local funded work adapted in approach to continue to support and connect local people during lockdown? i.e. what did we change?  

• Using new technology to connect including Zoom; Christ Church used Zoom every day for prayer.
• Big Local Community workers have adapted the way they work with virtual interactions, including telephone calls, video calls and Zoom gatherings to keep people connected.
• Responding to people’s needs to meet physically as lockdown measures eased, providing opportunities to get involved in safe outdoor gardening activities.
• Work during the pandemic adapted to the situation, projects would be different going forwards in recovery, and must be looked at accordingly.
• The quick turnaround of funding from Big Local, e.g. to fund the baby bank at New Hope Baptist Church; helped to set people free to do what’s needed.
• Immediate reaction from local groups at the start of the pandemic and preparation of local groups ahead of lockdown.
• Bringing in outside funding to trial activities to connect people in different ways, including, fish and chip suppers, online Coseley Community Cinema.

How might any of these changes inform future delivery against Big Local plan priorities?

• Intense levels of activity during lockdown can’t be sustained, but perhaps there will be more effective ways of responding to things – shown by how swiftly responses were developed.
• Coseley’s community centre’s and buildings can no longer be used in the same way. Groups and venues of all sizes are now looking at ways to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose, and are ready for use when restrictions are lifted. The Big Local group recognises that groups and venues will experience new challenges and need support in ensuring they can run their usual activities in a safe way. 
• Reconnecting with people who previously attended Big Local activities particularly those experiencing loneliness and isolation. If data protection was addressed, Big Local could fund Christmas goody bags to be delivered to older people who would normally attend Lunch and Chat events. 

What learning for the next 3 years should East Coseley Big Local take away from this period, based on your interactions, observations, conversations and experiences during COVID-19 response?

• The importance of mental wellbeing of people in the community. People and families forced into isolation. People who fear coming out of isolation. Not just young adults but young children who do not understand what is going on but feel things are quite different and cannot cope with change. An example is Christmas at school. School plays and parties, if they take place the young are used to what went before but may not understand why it is different now. Coping with school life as it is now and maybe family life as well.
• Changing ideas and the way Big Local moves forward.
• How the community has pulled together and to not let that slip away again

You can read more about East Coseley’s response to the pandemic here: http://www.eastcoseleybiglocal.net/covid-19-review/