Community Led

Today we hosted the second of the community led afternoon teas, and it made me think about that term ‘community led’.

I suppose we define it locally as centring those who are usually recipients, folk at the margins that you often find attending as ‘needy’ rather than offering as able hosts. Disrupting the charity narrative and instead recognising that no matter how hard you’re struggling, or how much you’ve been excluded, you have something to contribute round here and we need and welcome you. 

And thats what I witnessed today – the pride in so many peoples faces, that said, I contributed to making this happen.

Whether that be making bunting, afternoon tea stands, aprons and table cloths, or, calling bingo, donating plates, promoting it to friends or inviting in folk who might enjoy it.

Folk who share their lives with others joined in together.  Local people who are deemed to require two full time carers were able to join in.  And even during the tricky moments there was an acceptance that you belong here. We have a space and a place for you. In fact, you enabled us to relax and have fun, thank you.

We experienced community together. And people are enjoying the experience.

These kind of experiences are the fertile grounds of imagination and possibility. Often overlooked, or belittled by those with more privileged life experiences.