Revitalising Mile Cross
How Community Conversations are Helping to Transform Urban Spaces
By Bea Leal, Community Connector Coordinator, The Shoebox Enterprises CIC
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) is spearheading an inspiring project called Nature Connect with a mission to support residents to create urban ‘nature corridors’ that benefit both wildlife and residents by enhancing outdoor spaces.
Community Connectors Claire and Ally, part of The Shoebox Enterprises CIC, have played a crucial role in supporting the initial efforts to engage the Mile Cross community in the project. They have drawn on insights from their community conversations to help shape the project and the approaches taken to support residents to transform their neighbourhood into a greener, more engaging place to live.
Uncovering the Untapped Potential
When NWT Community Officers launched the Nature Connect Project in the autumn of 2022, the Mile Cross Community Connectors were among the first to lend their support. Recognising the potential for improvement and how important the topic was from their conversations with local residents, the Connectors advised focusing on the grass areas surrounding the Lefroy Road and Bowers Avenue blocks of flats in Mile Cross. These areas, devoid of flowerbeds, benches, or any other elements of interest for animals or residents, were longing for a transformation.
"Being in the towers you don't really get to know your neighbours as there are so many floors in a block."
A local resident told the Connectors that “being in the towers you don't really get to know your neighbours as there are so many floors in a block”; she thought that a shared garden “will make the community come together more”, and would be nice for children to play near where they live. She also said that “it would be lovely to bring more colour into the space, as it will help with people's mental health”.
Another resident of the blocks of flats, who is disabled, said in a conversation with Connectors that she would be very willing to help with a communal garden. A third resident said that he had started growing plants outside his flat, but when the maintenance team came to trim the grass they cut all his plants down too. Two further conversations with people in the towers also mentioned the need for secure bicycle storage outside.
Listening and Evolving
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust held its first Nature Connect event at the Norman Centre in December 2022. Unfortunately, the turnout was low - only 5 people turned up. The Connectors were able to shed light on possible reasons behind the low attendance. Firstly, despite being very near to the flats, the Connectors have observed that relatively few people who live there use the Norman Centre. Conversations with local residents also suggest that it’s not seen as a place where residents can gather freely unless they are attending a class. Moreover, the 4pm start time posed challenges for those picking up their children from school.
Additionally, many residents were unfamiliar with the Nature Connect project, leaving them unsure of what to expect.
Following this feedback, the NWT Community Officers embarked on a journey to better understand the residents' needs. By investing more time in engaging with passionate gardeners within the blocks, including one of the Connectors residing there, a core group of around 10 people was formed. Together, they organised a recent pop-up event on the grass outside the flats, starting at 3pm. This event turned out to be an astounding success, drawing nearly 50 residents, many accompanied by their children.
Blossoming Ideas
During the pop-up event, the participants were encouraged to express their ideas for enhancing the space by writing and drawing on maps. Interviews were conducted for the mileXchange newsletter, capturing the enthusiasm and sense of community that had been awakened. Additionally, sunflower seeds were planted in paper pots, and fragrant herbs and flowers adorned the edges of an outbuilding. The event sparked a newfound hope and excitement among the Mile Cross residents.
Collaborative Initiatives
The Community Connectors had previously connected the NWT Community Officers with the Crafty Hearts Wellbeing group, part of the Mile Cross Projects and Events Group (MXPEG). This collaboration led to the creation of captivating pyrographed signs to draw attention to wildflower patches. One of these signs was on display at the recent pop-up event, showcasing the talent and creativity within the community.
In March, members of MXPEG and NWT joined forces with the Connectors to clean up litter and plant wildflower seeds along the alleyway between Lefroy Road and Bignold Road. Inspired by this joint effort, MXPEG submitted an application to transform the Openreach box in the alley with a vibrant design, celebrating the community's dedication to the cause.
The Connectors also introduced the NWT workers to the Friends of Sloughbottom Park group, a relatively new group dedicated to enhancing the local park. The chair of the group actively participated in the pop-up event, leading to a collaboration that promises exciting future endeavours. The two groups have agreed to organise a joint butterfly walk and picnic in Sloughbottom Park on Saturday, June 10, which the Connectors are now helping to publicise.
Within Mile Cross, some individuals are already actively involved in various community groups, while others are just beginning to explore the possibilities. The Connectors have sparked conversations and facilitated connections between residents and these diverse groups. Whilst there is still a lot of work to do, the Connectors' efforts have served as a catalyst, inviting the community to explore new horizons and join forces in transforming their neighbourhood.