Calling at …
By day three, the group were somewhere impossible to find on a map.
Somewhere ‘together’ with ‘energy’ and ‘purpose.’ Somewhere shaped by everybody’s hands and everybody’s gifts. Somewhere it’s O.K to say, ‘I’m feeling anxious,’ because a pause for calm becomes a part of ‘how we do things.’ And afterwards a friend is there to ‘really make you laugh!’ Somewhere it ‘feels good’ to take a lead on the ‘important things.’ Somewhere the important things include the ‘tea with company.’
Community is at the heart of citizenship. It fosters belonging, participation and recognition, all of which are essential to our wellbeing. And where better to begin a conversation about community than seated in a circle, with full wide-eyed attention on each other. After standing, one at a time, without the aid of words or gestures, Bee asked, ‘what does community feel like?’
Individuals spoke fondly of the different groups that they belong to. Groups that make them ‘happy,’ in which they’re ‘known’ and ‘appreciated.’ Groups that offer ‘new opportunities’ and ‘a chance to get involved’ or ‘lend a hand to others.’ Passing a ball of yellow wool between themselves whilst speaking highlighted connections beyond the project. Anthony, who volunteers for a charity passed the wool to Matthew, who fundraises for church, who then passed the wool to Eileen, who sings in a choir – and in all the back-and-forth about their ‘music, dancing, boccia, drama and football’ communities, bonds were tied in ways that would prove difficult to undo.
To ‘make new friends’ topped the list of reasons for joining new communities. For the group, good support ‘brings people together, so they don’t get lonely.’ Something Peter and Stewart are proud to have a hand in as Chair and Vice-Chair of an Events Committee for individuals in Scarborough. But there was recognition too, that joining new communities can be challenging ‘especially if we’ve had bad experiences.’ Among those poor experiences, being ‘excluded’ and ‘ignored.’
Made visible, the group pondered an even closer-knit connection. Most of the communities they belong to sit within the wider learning disability community – a vital space of friendship, contribution and belonging. But without coming together to reflect on shared experience, would individuals have considered what that means for ‘making friends,’ ‘new opportunities’ and ‘a chance to get involved?
Research by Mencap (2022) links barriers to community inclusion with chronic loneliness among individuals with learning disabilities.
Day Three closed with a plan to bring the Trust community together for a screening of The Keys to a Wonderful Life. A film starring sixteen individuals keen to get us talking, side by side, about own kind of wonderful. To clearly see our routes and obstacles and ask what might possible ‘together’ with ‘energy’ and ‘purpose.’ Community is key to enabling extraordinary lives.