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‘Inspiring resilience’ as east Bristol communities rally together
Usually a thriving hub for people of all ages, Easton Community Centre is now at the heart of efforts to support some of the most vulnerable.
The director of Up Our Street says the resilience shown by the diverse neighbourhood in the face of the coronavirus pandemic is inspiring to see as volunteers rally around to deliver weekly food parcels, children’s activity packs and more to families who are struggling.
The social enterprise has been working with Bristol City Council and partners, including Easton Community Centre and Felix Road Adventure Playground, to meet people’s needs and provide vital support. The latter three are on the verge of a merger and bosses say the swift response to the crisis demonstrates the need for such collaboration.
is needed now More than ever
“It’s testing times for all of us but the resilience this community has shown is really inspiring. We have been heartened by the amount of those we’ve contacted that have support from neighbours, family or another community,” says Stacy Yelland, the director of Up Our Street.
“We will keep checking in with people though. If this lockdown goes on for too long, those who are reliant on the goodwill of others may start to feel a burden or those that are currently supporting others may find themselves in need of support themselves, as people’s economic status changes. That’s where we come in.”
Felix Road Adventure Playground is working with partners to support struggling households through the pandemic. Photo ©Barbara Evripidou/FirstAvenuePhotography.com
Easton Community Centre is providing a focal point for delivery and distribution as the teams put together food parcels using supplies from FareShare South West, which are then delivered to households who need them in Easton and Lawrence Hill.
Up Our Street’s Melissa has contacted all elderly and vulnerable members of her community in The Dings and coordinated a group of volunteers from the neighbourhood to support those that need it, all whilst being in the vulnerable category herself.
Artists at the Barton Hill-based Studio Meraki have joined the coordinated efforts and have created 200 art activity packs that are being distributed among families in the area.
200 creative packs have been delivered to families in the area. Photo courtesy of Studio Meraki
The collaboration of community organisations is also working to support the Roma community in Bristol.
Community engagement officer Patrycja Pinkowska says: “We have a long-standing relationship with the community that has left us best placed to support them during this time. Many of the families use Felix Road and we have been running a music drop-in for young people at Easton Community Centre. Through contacts in the community, we are able to make sure everyone is supported.”
https://twitter.com/upourstreet/status/1248624602973999116
Stacy says organisations such as Up Our Street, which is a member of Locality, have a key role to play in linking communities with support networks.
She adds: “Once this is over, I think we all need to reflect on the role that community anchors like ours played in the crisis. It is vital that the pivotal role we are playing is not forgotten and that we re-evaluate the value we place on community assets that in the past few years have been put under a lot of financial pressure.”
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read more: The St Paul’s group offering a vital lifeline for those in need
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