FRANKIE'S STORY
Silvia, one of our Community Connectors, worked with Frankie for a while. During this time he was able to make a few connections and he became a volunteer befriender with a local charity, which he hopes will lead to a job within social care in the future.
Thank you Frankie for sharing your story here with such enthusiam.
MOUNT PLEASANT GREENING PROJECT
"The impact has been amazing. It's really lifted the feel of the neighbourhood. It's made it feel lively and vibrant. Drab corners that looked rundown are thriving. People were saying: 'This has really helped bring the neighbourhood alive. It feels loved.'"
Ebbie, Community Builder
ADAM'S STORY
During the Community Connector's initial telephone call with Adam, he described how isolated he had become over recent years. He attributed this to his dependence on a relative’s support in order to use his manual wheelchair.
This lack of independence had a significant impact on Adam’s wellbeing and made managing family relationships very challenging at times.
Adam explained that before he needed to use a wheelchair, he was physically active and community-minded.
"It has been a privilege and pleasure to work alongside Adam and see how his ideas, ambition, creativity, contributions and efforts have supported his local community."
He told the Connector that he missed engaging with other people in his community and has particularly missed days out with his young family. In time, Adam was able to acquire an electric wheelchair which had started to expand his social world once again. But he explained there was much more he wanted to get involved with.
After hearing how sociable Adam had once been, the Connector introduced him to a weekly peer support group that offered a space for people to share their experiences and receive mutual support. He really valued this opportunity and has continued to attend as he recognises the outlet it offers him if he’s having a difficult week – he also recognises the positive connections that can be made when supporting others. He has made meaningful new friendships which have further expanded his opportunities to get out and about.
Adam quickly expressed how inspired he was to set up a social activities group in his local area. To help put his ideas into action, the Connector introduced him to his local Community Builder who has supported him to find a venue and apply for funding towards games and other equipment. The Connector also introduced Adam to his Community Physical Activity Organiser (CPAO), who assisted with practical issues and shared their knowledge of facilitating sports events. The new social games evenings are starting soon.
Since having his electric wheelchair, it has given him inspiration to want to do more community-based activities, he feels that if he hadn't met one of our Community Connectors, then none of his new friendship activities would have unfolded. Through his activities and new social groups, Adam regularly runs a cinema night at his home with food, sandwiches and curries shared with his local community.
Greg participated in his first 11-a-side game in over a year and feels a lot more at peace about his health condition and is now loving life, being able to play with family and friends.
WALKING FOOTBALL
The local CPAO posted to their Facebook page asking what the local community was looking for. Greg got in touch and suggested that a walking football group would be a positive idea. He explained that a health condition had forced him to stop engaging with the game he’d once loved.
The CPAO said they would spread the word through social media to gauge how much interest there was. It quickly became apparent that there was lots of interest and, before we knew it, we’d arranged a three-week taster course at St James’ Park.
Greg arrived at the first walking football session with his good friend, Dave. They were followed by Steve, Gareth and Pete. We held games of 3 vs 3, and it certainly got the adrenaline pumping! Between games conversation flowed, with everyone sharing their reason for needing this group – wanting to make friends, needing to get fit and healthy and having a reason to get out of the house. Everyone was in agreement that this group should be a long-term arrangement.
By the third session, the group already felt really comfortable together – and some members even encouraged family and friends to join in. Greg led a creative warm-up that involved everyone passing the ball and sharing two good things that had gone well for them during the past week and one that had felt less successful. It was a brilliant exercise and sparked conversations between our 10-minute matches. As the session ended, it was clear the group was going to continue to develop. Exeter City Community Trust kindly contributed towards the hire of St James School until Christmas.
The group is warm and encouraging to all who attend and join, no matter their background, gender, age and ability. It has inspired individuals to look after their physical and mental health. It has especially inspired Greg, who has fallen back in love with the game he thought he had lost forever.