Building strong community connections

Anita works as a Community Connector, a community-based role focused on building connections, networks, and community partnerships that sustain local community inclusion and independence.

My role is unique to Hounslow. You can’t do this from an office. It’s about being out there, knowing what is going on in the community, networking with other groups and organisations, and finding ways to collaborate. Eventually, people start to bring ideas that you can work on together, like our longstanding Art Group which we co-host with C-Change West London, an organisation dedicated to providing accessible local activities. 

What started as occasional sessions has now become a trusted and valued part of the community’s week. In Hounslow, the people we support now have access to far more than what traditional day centres typically offer. Unlike conventional centres which are often closed door and limited to referrals, we’ve co-created a programme with the community that is bespoke to people’s interests and shaped by people who use it. Today we offer a wide range of inclusive activities in local spaces, from gardening and art to pottery, walking, cooking and more. These are open to everyone, which is not only more inclusive, but means people can make their own choices about how and where they spend their time and who they spend it with. 

We’re also helping people to stay connected to training and work by building strong links with local employers and adult education providers. Our regular travel training sessions support people to be more independent, and we collaborate with specialist organisations to run initiatives like our Job Club or digital sessions focused on using IT and smart phones. We also lead the Safe Places project, working with the local shops, libraries, cafes, libraries and community centres to create safe spaces where people can get help if they are feeling anxious, scared, or at risk while out and about. Not only does this build awareness in the local community but plays a vital role in promoting independence and confidence for the people we support. 
 

Our longest-running project is the Tuesday Art group, which has become a well-established part of the local community. We’ve collaborated with C-Change West London for many years, and now other organisations have joined the group to share information about local initiatives, helping raise awareness of what’s happening in the area. The environment is welcoming, so people feel very comfortable asking for support with everyday issues whether it is helping to fill in a form or advice on dealing with damp in their flat. So, while we might be there doing art, we’re also signposting people to local help and support. 

Our allotment project, Blooming Marvellous, has become a vibrant hub for the local community. Every Wednesday, we welcome a group of regulars, but we are often joined by visiting groups from the local nursery, community police, or children from the local school. It has a great community feel to it. The Council gave us the space completely free, and thanks to funding and donations we were able to get a shed, tools, gardening supplies, and seeds.

And it’s still growing! We recently started collaborating with ‘Inclusive Joyful Activities Hounslow’ for our monthly social events where people get together at a disco, have fun, make friends, and build relationships. 

Taking a community-led approach means bringing people together - across all age groups and abilities. My role is to keep building those connections so that the people we support have real choice and access to a wide range of activities on their doorstep.