Reflections from the Shieling Working Group Away Day

A few weeks ago members of the Shieling Working Group met at Ouseburn Farm to consider where we have come from and where we are going to. It was an interesting setting, just on our doorstep but very different to everyday life in Shieldfield.

The Shieling Working Group (if you can think of a snappier name, something that reflects what the group does, please let us know), intends to work with local people to make public spaces more welcoming and accessible. It also wants to challenge, if appropriate, people in positions of authority who do not seem to be listening to local people. It has enabled regular activities, such as the Solstice Celebrations, Neighbourhood Care Walkarounds, and working with Shieldfield Artworks in the SAW garden. The Community Chefs group grew out of Shieling, and now they work as a team in their own right.

The Away Day meeting made me wonder if we are trying to do too much, and whether it would be better if we concentrated on trying to do a few things well. Are we trying to do too much, and beating ourselves up because it is not all happening? We reminded ourselves that we are all different, and it is important to try to work to everybody's strengths. It is important that we talk in words that people understand.. 

So what came out of the day? We each gave an example of something good that Shieling had done. This can be difficult as so much that goes on is not easy to record. Private conversations, a piece of advice, a chance meeting that provides vital information, these are as much part of Shieling, and Dwellbeing in general, as the big events. What is important is that knowledge is passed on. It is too easy not to do this.

We talked about the importance of people of all ages working together, in celebration, and to pass on knowledge from one generation to another. 

We have committed ourselves to various schemes, perhaps too many to be realistic. The meeting was a useful reminder that doing a few things well is much more likely to be welcomed and successful than trying to do too much. 

It is more interesting to look forward. We have committed ourselves, with different members of the group taking the lead on each strand. I will not mention them all, but we continue to care for the Wildflower meadow, working with Wild Ouseburn.  

With the architect Harper Perry, local trainees, evaluators, and young people, we are in detailed discussions about how best to develop the areas around Napier Street, particularly the Multi use Games Area (MUGA).

We want to give people the opportunity to give their views about what should happen to the empty units in Wretham Place.

There is much more, but the best way to find out is to talk to a member of the group, either by coming to a meeting, or just asking questions of a member.

We recognise that meetings aren’t for everyone, and there are sometimes specific short term activities that you might be interested in being involved with.

Your ideas and skills, be it for hours, weeks, or years,  would be welcome.