Hubbub online magazine
As you may know I’ve been working with Goldsmiths to raise awareness of this
community centre - which celebrated its 72nd birthday this month - and its importance
to local people. A number of projects, including the Localities and Mayor’s Fund,
have enabled this to happen and those of you who have been here before may have
noticed the changes that have taken place already.
This community centre provides a meeting place for all, a non-judgemental space
where you could be coming in for anything; local education classes, a place to bring
your new baby or young children; somewhere for your teenagers to socialise; get
advice and support; improve your IT skills; get fit and active; hire a hall for your
wedding or party; drop in for a coffee or snack; a place to meet your neighbours,
make friends and feel part of the community.
In the 20-odd years that I’ve worked in North Downham I’ve been struck by the often
repeated phrases: ‘I didn’t know about that’ and ‘Nobody told me’. How do we find
out information? How is it that information never reaches some people? How do
people new to the area get to know about the centre, for example?
Last May, Goldsmiths was one of 24 successful applicants out of 800 nationwide for
the Media Trust’s Community Voices Project. "The Goldsmiths Community Voices
project was selected because we felt the digital project could have both a real impact
on the lives of individuals and the wider community, and also be an inspirational
example to communities across the country.”
What did we do? We trained people and groups to use pocket video cameras to
record their activities - and what they felt passionately about. The Friday Youth Club
was faced with closure in March and the young people told their stories about their
club, what they enjoyed about it and what they would do if it closed. The film they
made was selected to be shown as part of the BAFTA Youth Mentoring Showcase in
March.
Ageing Well-LCC made a film about how isolating and lonely it can be for older
people who have been ill or bereaved and what a difference their befriending groups
can make. Residents from the Excalibur Estate told their stories about what living
there means to them. People who have moved off the estate contributed their
photographs and memories.
We made these films and stories into a website called hubbub. Please take a look, if
you, or your family and friends, have access to the internet. It’s not complete. There
are still many, many stories to tell and share and much that can develop from it.
One of the aims of our project was enable local people, by using the internet and
technology, to connect with wider social networks and encourage news and
information sharing about the area and what is good – and bad – about it.
What could hubbub be used for?
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A local history resource
a forum for news and opinions
and as a gateway to making connections with local and central government
services, education and health resources, online shopping and price
comparisons, or help and advice
reporting on what’s happening in your local area
Here’s one for starters – name five of your favourite places/things in Downham!
I live in Brockley and we have a thriving local internet resource called Brockley
Central. It’s much more than a newsletter or local paper. I find out all my local
information and news from there, who’s building what across the road, new cafes
and shops that have opened, what’s on in the area, other people with similar
interests to me, local history.
I don’t always agree with some of the opinions but it doesn’t stop me wanting to
know and contribute!
If this is something you would like to be part of please let me know.
Thank you for your time.
Jane Hearn