Earlier this year, we built on the legacy of We Walworth and its aim to mobilise our community to take action, by delivering a highly successful Neighbourhood Leaders Training Programme.
The project aimed to help grow the skills needed to build a better neighbourhood, from exploring how local decisions are made, to challenging power and privilege, and building collective visions for new spaces and services.
Between February and April 2024, we brought together a wide group of people from a range of backgrounds who lived and worked in Walworth. The group included those who already led community organisations, or had been part of previous We Walworth working groups, as well as local residents, students and parents who heard about the training and wanted to find out more.
Over the course of ten weeks, while developing practical skills, the group also developed a strong bond which led to relationships and networks beyond the training itself.
Joy is the Chair of Brandon 2 TRA (Tenants and Residents Association) on Brandon Estate, Walworth and was a participant in the training. In the final stage of the neighbourhood leader’s training, we developed ‘Stories of Us’, a collective narrative that motivates others to take action or join your cause. This was also an opportunity to reflect on the experiences we shared together as a group.
What follows is an edited transcription of Joy’s Story Of Us:
I wasn’t really sure what this training course was going to be about. I heard that it was all about ‘We Walworth’. And I thought, I’m playing catch up with people who are on the second part of the journey and where do I fit into all of that? And then I missed the session on power – and suddenly everybody was talking about power – Biko was talking about how power was so important to him… And I just thought, ‘gosh, what is going on here’? And I always felt like I was kind of playing catch up.
But then what I realised – and I’m hearing it from all of you – is that it wasn’t actually about going through the exercises, and doing this, and saying that… It was literally about us coming together and understanding who we are as people.
…And I realised that you actually don’t know yourself until you get to know the people in the room. It’s almost like you become more of who you’re meant to be when you’re there listening to other people, sharing, encouraging other people.
Commenting afterwards Joy said:
‘This training has been life-changing. A total paradigm shift. Don’t underestimate what’s been achieved. Pembroke House has to keep doing it. You need to share our story, and grow it. Our neighbourhood needs this so much’.
Given the popularity of the Neighbourhood Leaders Training programme, we’re working on plans to make this training part of our core offer in the year/s ahead. Two of the project ideas that were generated during the training are now under development and we will also continue to support these initiatives as they develop.