Revitalising Mile Cross

How Community Conversations are Helping to Transform Urban Spaces

By Bea Leal, Community Connector Coordinator, The Shoebox Enterprises CIC

"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.