Heathgate: Insights

183


Conversations from Heathgate analysed for this report

(Note: we no longer have Community Connectors working in Heathgate) 

Disclaimer : The following reports are not thoughts of any one individual but are the amalgamation of conversations from the community.

The number of times accessibility and inclusivity was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Accessibility & inclusivity

Accessibility and inclusivity are rarely mentioned in the conversational data for Heathgate. There were only a small number of comments regarding this subject, so it is hard to fabricate any concrete opportunities or suggestions. However, there are a few assets in the area that are inclusive to people with disabilities, such as a shop that trains people with disabilities to work there and Mousehold South Allotments, which has raised beds for wheelchair users. There is also a lack of mental health support in the area, and there is nothing in any local parks for disabled children.


Going forward, if there were to be more conversations held in this area, it would be recommended to explore this subject area more by potentially visiting places that hold events for people with both physical and mental disabilities and ask what they would like to see. This would help to get a better understanding of the needs of the community and to identify specific opportunities for improvement.

The number of times community was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Community

The community in Heathgate is generally seen as friendly and safe, with a diverse population. There is a strong sense of community spirit, with people helping each other out and looking out for one another. The community is well-connected, with people using online platforms to communicate and organize events. There are a number of groups and activities available, which helps to foster a sense of community. However, there are some concerns that the community may be becoming more insular. This may be due to a number of factors, including the impact of COVID-19, changes in technology, and cultural shifts.


There are a few comments regarding the lack of activity in the local area, suggesting that there is a potential gap in advertisement for the local area and groups maybe relying on word of mouth for events to happen. There are also comments about how there used to be more going on and now there doesn’t seem to be, which could be a cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also could be for several different reasons. There does seem to be a common link between the multiple mentions of Facebook and Whatsapp groups and the mentions of the likes of community members saying they don't know of anything happening in the area, suggesting that there is a potential gap in the community and the lack of digital inclusion. There is an opportunity for a Heathgate newsletter to say what is going on because there does seem to be a lot of activity but it being very closed off to whoever is not in it. The use of the current, or implementation of some community boards in the area could also help with this.


Furthermore, by supporting the current groups and communities and with the wide variety of strong micro communities, there is an opportunity to have cross overs and further aid their own communities with more interaction and communication. The cross pollination of the micro communities in the area could help build a stronger overall community in Heathgate.


Overall, the data suggests that the community in Heathgate is a positive and supportive place to live. However, there are some concerns that the community may be becoming more insular. There are also some opportunities to improve communication and engagement within the community.

The number of times cost of living was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Cost of living

The data set was completed on 04/07/2022. Cost of living was only mentioned in 2.7% of the conversations. This is expected to become more prevalent in future conversations due to the current cost of living crisis and growing inflation rates. All mentions of cost of living were around food with one member of the community mentioned that they want to do a free takeaway service for people in the area struggling to afford food to eat and another comment about how easy it is for young people to get into debt.


It is important to build on assets already in the community, such as the foodbank. There is the opportunity for debt awareness / information classes to be ran in the local area. Moreover it is necessary to remember that the data set is relatively small, so it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions. However, the data does suggest that cost of living is a growing concern in the Heathgate area.

The number of times crime and ASB was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Crime & ASB

The crime and ASB section in Heathgate is heavily dominated by deficit-based language. People have expressed concerns about the use of parks for drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the presence of needles and alcohol bottles. The community also has a real concern about drugs, with many people mentioning it in several different ways. One community member talked about there being drug abuse in the block he lives in, with a lot of police raids in the past. They further went on to mention this being a problem due to the communal door has been broken for a while and council still hasn't repaired it which means anyone can enter the block of flats. Another specific place mentioned was the homeless people along Magdalen St and under fly over. The resident stated that they need more support, as they are always being noisy or causing trouble. The feeling of safety within residents has been mentioned, with one community member saying that people are scared to come out in the evening or when it's dark due to antisocial behaviour and drug/alcohol problems in the area. There were a few mentions of flytipping, with people saying that it causes lots of rats and leaves mess and untidiness.


Despite the fact that this section is dominated by the deficit based language, opportunities can be found from building on the foundations of the communities current assets. Increased activity in the parks and use of green spaces could help drive down ASB in these areas as they seem to be hotspots for drug use and other Antisocial behaviour in the area. With community members being involved or taking community ownership of these areas it could help further discourage ASB. The council being involved and resolving issues such as the broken communal door in the flats can help put a stop to or at least drive down the accessibility of such areas for misuse such as crime and ASB. The increase of groups that help with drug problems could also help for those that want to seek help but do not know how. Furthermore, a focus on helping the homeless and to get them off the street as it seems to be causing residents some unsettlement and wanting not to use these areas. Potential better lit or longer lighting on streets especially in the winter so people can feel more comfortable going out at night.


Overall, the crime and ASB section in Heathgate is a cause for concern. However, there are opportunities to address the issues and improve the community.

The number of times education, employment and learning was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Education, employment & learning

Education and Learning was mentioned in only 5.5% of the conversations, which suggests that it is not a particularly talked about subject in this community. However, every comment used asset-based language, which suggests that there are a number of positive things happening in the community around education and learning.


There are both individual and group-based assets, such as people who are training to be teachers, teachers of different disciplines, and people who are volunteering to teach cooking and English. There is no deficit-based language used, which suggests that the community is focused on building on its strengths. However, it is important to speak to more teachers and students to gather their opinions of the local community and the educational system itself. The data set is relatively small, so the conclusions that are being made need more exploration to see the potential gaps in provisions.


Overall, the data suggests that there are a number of positive things happening in the community around education and learning. Although, It is important to speak to more people to get a more complete picture.

The number of times health and wellbeing was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Health & wellbeing

The data shows that health and wellbeing was one of the most popular sections, being mentioned in 23% of conversations. There is a 60 to 40 split in the weight of deficit-based language, with most mentioned subjects including ‘general mental health’, ‘social isolation’, ‘general physical health’ and ‘physical activity’. People are aware of their mental health problems and willing to talk about them. However, there is a lack of support for people with mental health issues in the area. Social isolation can be a problem within communities, especially since COVID-19. There seems to be a huge opportunity to have more on offer for people who suffer with mental health issues in the community. A lot of comments mentioned general physical activity or general mental health and not many specific issues. The data may be less substantial than areas that have continued to collect data.

The number of times natural and built environment was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Natural & built environment

The Natural and Built Environment in Heathgate is a popular point of conversation. The most popular point of interest is the parks, with many people commenting on how lovely they are and how much they enjoy using them. The local facilities were also well-received, with people praising the shops, cafes, and pubs. The community was seen as being very active in taking care of the area, with many people mentioning the litter picks and other initiatives that are being carried out.


There were a few concerns raised, such as the lack of use of some of the local natural areas, the need for more dog poo bins, and the problem of fly tipping. There were also some deficit-based language comments, such as the frustration of people who want to use allotments but cannot get them, and the concern that the Anglia Square revamp will take away the local communities that have already been formed.


Overall, the data suggests that the Natural and Built Environment in Heathgate is a positive asset for the community. There are a few areas where improvement is needed, but the community is clearly committed to making Heathgate a great place to live.

The number of times parents and children was mentioned as a theme (dark blue) as a proportion of the total number of conversations held (light grey)

Parents & children

The data shows that parents and children in the community enjoy attending groups such as Messy Church, First Step, and Story Café. These groups provide a way for parents to socialize and for children to learn and play. However, there is a general feeling that there are not enough provisions for parents and children in the area. Some specific suggestions include more groups for school-age children, more family events, and more ongoing support for new parents. Some parents have expressed concerns about their own and their children's mental health and wellbeing. These concerns include anxiety, loneliness, and isolation. There is an opportunity to support the existing parent and children's groups in the area and to provide more provisions. It is also important to understand the barriers to access to these services. The data set is predominantly influenced by conversations happening in and around where activities are happening. This could potentially form a bias, so it is important to be aware of this when analyzing the data.


Overall, the data suggests that there is a need for more provisions for parents and children in the community. It is important to understand the specific needs of this population and to develop programs and services that meet those needs.