STORY: Green Community Hubs – Naomi
Naomi is nothing short of a community hero. As manager at Westview Community Association in Fleetwood, she spins multiple plates every day, from keeping on top of the huge array of support services provided by the centre (which includes youth groups, warm spaces, a food club and lots more) to managing a team of dedicated volunteers.
The centre boasts its very own community garden, one of Groundwork’s Green Community Hubs. What had become an overgrown, disused area is now a beautiful, versatile space for community members of all ages to plant, play and relax in.
As a local resident, and someone who has experienced mental health issues, Naomi originally benefitted from the centre’s services herself, subsequently building up her confidence as a volunteer before progressing to become centre manager. She understands at her very core the benefits of having a community asset like the garden, and in particular the importance of responding to the community’s needs and ideas when it comes to developing and using it.
Speaking of her involvement, Naomi said:
“Everyone’s had an influence on everything. When the steering group started up, I asked people what they would like to see. They’ve all had their input, I’ve had input, and it’s all come together and worked. It’s proper community work.
“People were keen to have an outdoor kitchen which is now being developed – we’ve got a barbeque and we’re going to have a cob oven. We do The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, so we’re going to start bringing our stoves over here and the young people can cook outside, plus it opens it up for everyone to learn and have new experiences. So, everyone’s had a say on literally everything.
“Members of the community can now come in and use the space. We had a fantastic Easter event where I asked the kids for their ideas, but then they also said they would help. We’ve got what we call our ‘Teletubby hill’ and the kids were just rolling down it – they absolutely loved it. It was the first time I saw the space being used the way it really should be. We’ve also done a scavenger hunt and the kids loved it because they got to run around outside.
“I want to bring local schools in to do a fork-to-plate experience. Kids can come and plant vegetables and once it’s all grown I can take it back to the school, show them how to prep it and they can make a meal with it. We’ve got our own pumpkins this year – I’m so excited! It means our youth groups can dig them out, carve them and take them home.
“We’ve even entered Fleetwood in Bloom; I wouldn’t have ever dreamed of doing that. When they came, they said it was absolutely amazing and like a little sanctuary.
“The neighbours all understand that it’s for the community. Years ago, we used to have people climbing over to drink and stuff, but we don’t have that anymore. I’ve built up the reputation with everyone and they’ve started respecting everything. People come to me now and talk to me, trust me, ask me for help. We do what the community wants, not the other way around.
“I’m by no means a gardener but coming in every week and seeing what they’ve done has made a massive difference, and I can now go over myself and know what to do, like ‘that tree needs cutting back and that bush needs tidying up’.
“It’s also peaceful. You can come and have that thinking time to yourself, and if you’re having a bad time, you can just sit here in peace and try and get your head back together and then disappear again. Being out in the open as well, it’s really good for your mental health.
We’ve got young people who want to do the composting and water the plants. The other day they came and said ‘Naomi, we need to go and pull the beetroot up’. I was like ‘alright, go and do it then’. I love it because they can just come and do it for me now.
It has built so many people’s confidence up and it’s brought the community closer together, which is needed around here – we are in a very deprived area. The difference it’s made all together, how it’s come together from the start, and how hard everyone’s worked – I can’t thank them enough.