A Chat With the Community – Steve and Pauline

Steve and Pauline are a couple who regularly attend Incredible Edible Knowsley’s Community Day which takes place every Friday in Court Hey Park. I took the opportunity to have a chat with them to see whether they had any valuable insights or stories regarding the community, the park, and their experience as a part of Knowsley’s community.

Firstly, the couple told me about their history with the park. They had been frequent visitors for many years, attended the first flower shows and had aided with a community food incentive before we had moved our project into the park. This meant that they had witnessed the development of Incredible Edible Knowsley, from the very beginning to where we are now. They noted that they had seen massive growth in volunteer and community presence recently and were pleased with the addition of ramps, pathways etc. which make the place more accessible to anyone who may want to join us or make use of our efforts.

Moreover, these friendly people showed a great example of how the community is willing to help others, doing shopping from our community shop for both her elderly neighbour and relative who is a single mother, who were not able to travel to Court Hey Park themselves.

Despite their prolonged involvement in the Knowsley community and Incredible Edible Knowsley, the pair shared a story not exclusively regarding horticulture, poverty, or mental health struggles, but rather a story of the importance of talking to people: more specifically, feeling as though you are able to speak to your fellow community members and not isolating yourself.

The story they shared is a sad but uplifting one, detailing their encounter with a man from Southern England in a coffee shop. Noticing the man sat very close to them taking care of his young baby, the couple said hello and made conversation. The man, not used to speaking with strangers around him, had much to say: opening up about his journey and sharing the story of his terminal illness and how it allowed him to fully appreciate the time he got to spend with his child. He clearly did not have many people to open up to and opening up to close friends and family may have been hard for him, as is sometimes the case, so he greatly appreciated the warmth and friendliness with which Steve and Pauline invited him to talk.

Our following discussion toured topics such as young people, coronavirus, technology and more: all in relation to the previously mentioned topic of being able to speak with others. We discussed how young people may be more comfortable speaking to those they don’t know online but may struggle more when they find themselves in a packed building surrounded by strangers, even if those people are friendly and inviting. We explored the idea that some people may have a lot to say to others, but may be too afraid to say anything, and the concept that the person you’re nervous to speak to may be in a similar position.

In effect, we agreed that it can definitely be scary to speak to new people, and some people do better in conversation than others, but you should never be afraid to say hello to a member of your community. After all, if we never spoke to anyone new, there would be no such thing as the incentives like ours which aim to aid the community and bring people together.

Do You Have Any Stories?

If you want to share an experience, discuss the work we do or just attend and get a free hot drink and vegetables, our community day is every Friday between 11 and 2. This is also when our shop is open for those who have signed up. Feel free to come along.