David and Tracy have a story to tell. It involves a coffee shop, a community centre and a church. Actually, they’re all linked, but David and Tracy didn’t realise this at first.
They tell their story wherever they go, to anyone who’s interested and has time to listen. It’s a story worth hearing – a story of hope, friendship, belonging and faith. A story of transformation.
They explain how life started to change for them when they discovered The Corner Coffee House – a small artisan coffee shop set up by Community Resources amidst a sea of fast-food outlets and betting shops:
‘We used to go shopping and go in a cafe then go home. [We had] no friends. And then we went in the coffee shop, and we were surprised, the fact that people were so polite and outgoing. You’d go in there and you don’t know anyone, and they’d say ‘hello’ and when you leave, they’d say ‘goodbye’. When we come out the coffee shop the first time … we thought, we need to go back in there again because it was a great atmosphere, and so friendly. [We went] practically every day, just for the cup of tea and friendship and talking to people – just lifted your day.’
They talk about having to find somewhere else to go after the coffee shop closed down due to the impact of the pandemic:
‘We felt really gutted [when the coffee shop closed]. We still do, but at Castle Point (the community hub run by Community Resources) we met a lot of people. We’ve got so many friends now – I wouldn’t want to leave this area, I wouldn’t want to leave the church.’
They found a church community:
‘We started coming to church two weeks before lockdown. I knew there was a church because people were talking about it [in the coffee shop] and I thought I’d like to go…the first week I quite liked it… Before I met David I’ve been to about 3 different churches, and this is the only one I’ve relaxed in.’
And things started to change for them, such as habits:
‘The gambling…I just felt I didn’t need to do it any more because a whole new world has opened up to me …’
Their attitudes and reactions were also changing:
‘We were more uptight and annoyed a lot of the time before we came here. If anyone in the street had a go at us, we’d have a go back but we’re more laid back now and let it go over our shoulders. We’re not as angry with the world now as what we used to be.’
They found acceptance and began to experience what trusted relationships look like:
‘I think because I went to a disabled school I actually been around people with different disabilities, ones that you could see and ones that you couldn’t …I was frightened of leaving school because of people that were able-bodied and how they would treat me…That’s what I love about this place, anybody is accepted, no matter what … people [are] here to help out and give you advice when you need some help and I love that they don’t broadcast it to everyone…’
‘I’ve learnt about [the danger of] gossip … when somebody tells me something…if they hear that back from someone else, they know that’s come from me so they can’t trust me … and I’ve learnt …don’t gossip what you hear or what you see, don’t gossip about it … but if someone says they’re suicidal, you have to report it.’
And they realised they had something to offer to others in the community:
‘[This year we invited our friend to come for] Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day and now we’re going to make it a regular thing…and now we’re going to make it a regular thing that he comes every Sunday for lunch as well.’
‘And there’s my exercise class – 16 people last week! I wanted to go to a class to do a bit of exercise that I was able to do and I looked around and couldn’t find anywhere and I just said to Amanda one day I’d like to set up a class for exercise and get people who are less mobile maybe, or got arthritis or whatever, and I couldn’t believe how many people have joined. They’re so friendly, everyone, it doesn’t matter what culture you’ve got, they’re so friendly and outgoing.’
David and Tracy’s journey helps us as we think about our goal, which we express like this: Together we build strong community where we can find friendship, hope and meaning. We’re on an adventure to discover the ‘magic ingredients’ for building strong community. Sometimes we get it right, often we get it wrong, but we keep on learning – and, like David and Tracy, are keen to share what we learn along the way.