THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY 2020 - PROJECT FUNDED BY
This project, facilitated by Hope in the Heart in partnership with the University of Plymouth School of Architecture, and supported by the Real Ideas Organisation, consisted of a series of workshops, beginning in December 2019 and continuing through the following Spring, challenged, compromised, but not derailed by the unexpected interruption of Covid 19.
A diverse selection of Plymouth residents (engaged via visits to and meetings with many organisations throughout Plymouth) united with a large group of second-year students of Architecture to create a shared vision for a more compassionate city in which the needs of all citizens would be met. We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund, RIO, the University of Plymouth School of Architecture, and everyone who took part in and supported this project.
A diverse selection of Plymouth residents (engaged via visits to and meetings with many organisations throughout Plymouth) united with a large group of second-year students of Architecture to create a shared vision for a more compassionate city in which the needs of all citizens would be met. We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund, RIO, the University of Plymouth School of Architecture, and everyone who took part in and supported this project.
citizens of plymouth unite to share heritage stories and ideas
The Plymouth residents' group met for three, monthly workshops in which they shared their own heritage stories, with a focus on "community spirit". Members of this group varied from long-term Plymothians to others who had moved to the city from elsewhere, and included refugees from several countries, who shared experiences of their cultures while in turn learning about the experiences of long-standing local residents. This created a sense of empathy and understanding and a broadening of horizons for participants, and a vibrant multi-faceted vision of a city that could incorporate both the heritage of its long-term citizens and of those who have more recently made it their home, bringing with them some of the richness of their homes of origin.
These three initial workshops included an exploration of the impact of the built environment on the well-being of those who live within and around it. Participants identified their own preferences and ideas via memories, discussion and communal art-work.
These three initial workshops included an exploration of the impact of the built environment on the well-being of those who live within and around it. Participants identified their own preferences and ideas via memories, discussion and communal art-work.
citizens and students connect, converse and co-create
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They shared the outcomes in a fourth workshop at the university, in small and large-group conversations with students of architecture working on their own project ideas of what a Compassionate Plymouth might look like. The students were keen to show the group the drawings and models of their vision so far and to hear the citizens' ideas and queries about how their projects could be developed to best benefit the people of Plymouth.
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Our original plan had been to hold three such workshops at the university, but covid 19 struck before the second could take place. The plan was adapted so that a final workshop, with fewer participants, took place via Zoom. The student representatives who took part in this were able to show community members illustrations from their updated projects, and explain how the earlier insights and suggestions from community members had influenced their work, which seeks to honour and build upon the rich heritage of Plymouth's past.
gallery and feedback
Below is a gallery of photographs from all five workshops, featuring some of the individuals and groups that took part, and illustrating the processes participants went through to reach a shared vision of a more Compassionate Plymouth for all. We hope this will offer a sense of the vision, enthusiasm and compassionate connection that contributed to the ethos of the project.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS' WORKSHOPS AT DEVONPORT GUILDHALL
Community members sharing stories, thoughts and ideas about community spirit, and thinking and learning about the importance of the built environment for those living who live with it.
Later, dividing into three groups of visual, kinaesthetic and strategic thinkers to explore their vision of Plymouth from these modalities and bring the different perspectives together in creating pieces of art to illustrate their conclusions.
The final pieces of art were made at home by project participants. First, a three-dimensional display representing community spirit was created for the project by an inspired community member with help from three generations of her family, and subsequently featured in a different form for a month in the window of the Union Corner Community Space (itself a fantastic example of compassion in the community) under the title "COMPASSIONATE CITY".
The final drawings were done by 12-year-old Ayla, who attended a workshop with her mother and was keen to voice her opinions as a young person who has moved to Plymouth from a very different country, and settled well. In her own words:
"3D GLASSES for Cinema - the real reason why I draw it was because there's not much movies for teenagers! When I go the cinema I always find child movies for like 4-9 years olds or 15+ or even 18+ but as a result I am only 12 so I have no choice but to watch the little kids ones, what I really want is more movies for teenagers like me) Playground- there is not many playgrounds in Plymouth and also I think we can do some events in some playgrounds that involves everyone not only kids but also teenagers and maybe even adults:)"
Later, dividing into three groups of visual, kinaesthetic and strategic thinkers to explore their vision of Plymouth from these modalities and bring the different perspectives together in creating pieces of art to illustrate their conclusions.
The final pieces of art were made at home by project participants. First, a three-dimensional display representing community spirit was created for the project by an inspired community member with help from three generations of her family, and subsequently featured in a different form for a month in the window of the Union Corner Community Space (itself a fantastic example of compassion in the community) under the title "COMPASSIONATE CITY".
The final drawings were done by 12-year-old Ayla, who attended a workshop with her mother and was keen to voice her opinions as a young person who has moved to Plymouth from a very different country, and settled well. In her own words:
"3D GLASSES for Cinema - the real reason why I draw it was because there's not much movies for teenagers! When I go the cinema I always find child movies for like 4-9 years olds or 15+ or even 18+ but as a result I am only 12 so I have no choice but to watch the little kids ones, what I really want is more movies for teenagers like me) Playground- there is not many playgrounds in Plymouth and also I think we can do some events in some playgrounds that involves everyone not only kids but also teenagers and maybe even adults:)"
COMMUNITY MEMBERS MEET STUDENTS AT uni SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Representatives from the community group spoke to all the students about the processes undergone in the workshops, using the art they collectively created to illustrate and explain their ideas and the shared vision they developed.
Students shared their own processes and visual resources with the community members, inviting thoughts, suggestions and insights, which the community group were happy to provide.
Students shared their own processes and visual resources with the community members, inviting thoughts, suggestions and insights, which the community group were happy to provide.
...AND a FINAL WORKSHOP ON ZOOM
Large and small group conversations in which students shared their work with community members, explained the potential benefits for Plymouth's diverse population, and how these projects complement the rich hertitage of our city. Community members offered their thoughts and insights, and were greatly inspired by the compassionate vision, attentiveness and creative integrity of the students.
COMMENTS FROM community PARTICIPANTS
(These samples of feedback are unedited).
The different ideas seemed to blend in really well together to create a bigger idea.
I loved taking part in the project. It was lovely to listen and discuss different ideas on how we all see the world differently
Working with the uni was a very exciting part as the students were so interested in what we had to say. … Hopefully … they will go on to educate the next generation.
One thing I noticed during these workshops was the openness and willing of the students to take on board our input and feedback. I love the creativity they are bringing to the table and if just a small part of the ideas they came up with feed through to a Plymouth waterfront it will be a wonderful transformation I’m sure. I loved being part of this work. Thanks for making it possible
…so heartening to see community supporting one another!
I loved the interaction with the students. … They are so creative and inquisitive, ready to drink in everything we have to give them as input.
It was energising to engage with their (students') enthusiasm
This project was welcomed not only for the British but also for the people who are from different countries and cultures and it is really important for us to feel that we are also part of this community. I really enjoyed this project.
I found the creativity in both groups really interesting.
I was particularly pleased by the way the students were suggesting something that I had thought of and that was a walkway from the Royal William Yard all the way around to the Hoe. It was brilliant to hear their ideas about how this could happen. It was also nice that they listened to my ideas.
This project demonstrated how compassion is not only about how we treat each other. It is also about how we live with the world around us and how our environment reflects our various needs.
I am happy that I joined "Spirit of Community" project last spring. I Also appreciate this project very much because refugees who live in Plymouth can join and say what they think. I would like to see that this project continues and make Plymouth nice.
The spirit of community project and workshop I attended gave my great insight into not only the importance of community but how others felt about the word and sense of community. I learnt alot about how architecture and community work together and found it very interesting looking at what aspects of our world shape communities. It was very well delivered and presented, I felt I gained alot from this workshop and project.
What an amazing opportunity the Hope in the Community sessions offered. Being out of the working world it offered an opportunity to share thoughts about the shape of our community, ideas, experience, knowledge, with people from many backgrounds and of a wide range of ages. As a group guided by Tam we brought together a vision for a compassionate interactive and supportive community. The opportunity to collaborate with Architecture students at the University of Plymouth and share the collective information about the effects of our built environment on the health, well-being and enjoyment of our community life will hopefully shape their designs for the future and as a first step, consult with the people who are to live or work in the structures they design.
I hope this work will influence Architecture all students of the future.
The different ideas seemed to blend in really well together to create a bigger idea.
I loved taking part in the project. It was lovely to listen and discuss different ideas on how we all see the world differently
Working with the uni was a very exciting part as the students were so interested in what we had to say. … Hopefully … they will go on to educate the next generation.
One thing I noticed during these workshops was the openness and willing of the students to take on board our input and feedback. I love the creativity they are bringing to the table and if just a small part of the ideas they came up with feed through to a Plymouth waterfront it will be a wonderful transformation I’m sure. I loved being part of this work. Thanks for making it possible
…so heartening to see community supporting one another!
I loved the interaction with the students. … They are so creative and inquisitive, ready to drink in everything we have to give them as input.
It was energising to engage with their (students') enthusiasm
This project was welcomed not only for the British but also for the people who are from different countries and cultures and it is really important for us to feel that we are also part of this community. I really enjoyed this project.
I found the creativity in both groups really interesting.
I was particularly pleased by the way the students were suggesting something that I had thought of and that was a walkway from the Royal William Yard all the way around to the Hoe. It was brilliant to hear their ideas about how this could happen. It was also nice that they listened to my ideas.
This project demonstrated how compassion is not only about how we treat each other. It is also about how we live with the world around us and how our environment reflects our various needs.
I am happy that I joined "Spirit of Community" project last spring. I Also appreciate this project very much because refugees who live in Plymouth can join and say what they think. I would like to see that this project continues and make Plymouth nice.
The spirit of community project and workshop I attended gave my great insight into not only the importance of community but how others felt about the word and sense of community. I learnt alot about how architecture and community work together and found it very interesting looking at what aspects of our world shape communities. It was very well delivered and presented, I felt I gained alot from this workshop and project.
What an amazing opportunity the Hope in the Community sessions offered. Being out of the working world it offered an opportunity to share thoughts about the shape of our community, ideas, experience, knowledge, with people from many backgrounds and of a wide range of ages. As a group guided by Tam we brought together a vision for a compassionate interactive and supportive community. The opportunity to collaborate with Architecture students at the University of Plymouth and share the collective information about the effects of our built environment on the health, well-being and enjoyment of our community life will hopefully shape their designs for the future and as a first step, consult with the people who are to live or work in the structures they design.
I hope this work will influence Architecture all students of the future.