This summer marks 2 years since we began working in Denaby Main and undertook an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and 1 year since our immersive two day workshop which raised Well Doncaster’s aspirations and shaped the action plans for the area.
To celebrate we organised an event at Tom Hill Youth Club in Denaby Main on June 7th and invited community groups to showcase the amazing work they are doing in their own community and designed a number of ways we could reconnect with people and understand how they feel about living in Denaby 2 years after the AI.
Over 80 people joined us at the event and indulged in an al fresco cuppa and cake at the pop up café hosted by Aspiring2, enjoyed performances by local youth drama group Dynamic Impact Group and the award winning Conisbrough Castle Cavaliers.
Community groups showcased what they have been achieving in the area, many of
whom had received a Community Micro Grant. As resident made their way around the hall they were able to find out what great things are going on right on their doorstep like Craganour TARA’s art group, Ministry of Craft in Conisbrough, give their thoughts about improving the Crags with Conisbrough Forward, kids took part in a training session with Denaby Main Juniors FC and find out more about b:Friend a befriending service active it the community.
Well Doncaster partners such as Reread were there giving away free books, promoting the library and talking to people about opportunities to improve their reading skills through fun family friendly events. People Focused Group were there representing Denaby Bumping Space and had on display the colourful and wonderful crafts the members have been working on.
To help us continue community conversations that will help shape new and exciting developments over the coming months we asked Well North artist Matt Worden to support the conversation by running a participatory art activity where people could leave responses to three questions about who and what is important in Denaby and what would they like to see in Denaby. Matt devised an activity where people could write or use symbols to share their ideas and thoughts and worked with several young volunteers who helped complete the 3 paintings which will be on display in the community.
We reemployed the original Community Explorers form the AI to facilitate informal conversation at the pop up café to find out what differences people are noticing in the Denaby.
We had a scale map of the area and people could find their home and place a flag in place they go and where could be better. These tools have helped us get a sense of what impact the work is having, if there are any gaps in our knowledge of the area and inform our action planning.
It was a fun evening where a community celebrated what can be achieved when passionate people work together.