2019/2020 PROJECT FUNDED BY
This project, designed and 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. Although challenged, compromised and adapted, it was not entirely derailed by the unexpected interruption of Covid 19.
A diverse selection of Plymouth residents (engaged via visits to and meetings with many organisations throughout the city) united with a group of 40 second-year architecture students to create a shared vision for a more compassionate city in which the needs of all citizens would be addressed and mental health and wellbeing prioritised. We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund, Real Ideas, the University of Plymouth, 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 the city) united with a group of 40 second-year architecture students to create a shared vision for a more compassionate city in which the needs of all citizens would be addressed and mental health and wellbeing prioritised. We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund, Real Ideas, the University of Plymouth, and everyone who took part in and supported this project.
Citizens of Plymouth unite through stories and ideas
The Plymouth residents' group met at three workshops over three months. They shared personal 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. They included people with mental health and associated issues and refugees from several countries who shared experiences of their cultures while in turn learning about the experiences of long-standing local residents. An ethos of compassionate curiosity and empathy was encouraged, and achieved, alongside 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 arrived, many bringing some of the richness of their homes of origin.
These initial workshops focused on an exploration of the impact the built environment can have on the wellbeing of those who live within and around it, and how a "spirit of community" can be encouraged and achieved. Participants identified their own preferences and ideas via memories, discussions and communal art-work.
These initial workshops focused on an exploration of the impact the built environment can have on the wellbeing of those who live within and around it, and how a "spirit of community" can be encouraged and achieved. Participants identified their own preferences and ideas via memories, discussions and communal art-work.
Citizens and students connect, converse and co-create
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Following Hope in the Heart's initial workshops and preparation by senior lecturer Andy Humphreys with his students, the two cohorts came together in a fourth workshop at the university. They discussed the outcomes of the community workshops in small and large-group conversations, with the students sharing 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 one final workshop, with fewer participants, could take 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 valuable 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, depicting 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 city for all. We hope this will offer a sense of the vision, enthusiasm and compassionate connection that contributed to the ethos and outcome of the project.
COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for comments/feedback from participants (unfortunately we were unable to gather students' comments due to the disruption of covid).
COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for comments/feedback from participants (unfortunately we were unable to gather students' comments due to the disruption of covid).
COMMUNITY MEMBERS' WORKSHOPS AT DEVONPORT GUILDHALL
The photos show 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 through pieces of art to illustrate their conclusions.
The pieces of art in the final photos were made at home by project participants. 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".
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 through pieces of art to illustrate their conclusions.
The pieces of art in the final photos were made at home by project participants. 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".
COMMUNITY MEMBERS MEET STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY
Representatives from the community group spoke to all the students (around 60 in all) 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. These photos give a visual overview of this event.
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. These photos give a visual overview of this event.
...A FINAL WORKSHOP ON THE NOT-YET-FAMILIAR ZOOM PLATFORM
Large and small group conversations took place in which students shared their work with community members, explained its potential benefits for the wellbeing and unity of 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, and how their own contributions had been incorporated in the final outcomes.
COMMENTS FROM community PARTICIPANTS
(These samples of feedback are from members of the community group, and are unedited. Unfortunately we were unable to obtain feedback from the university cohort due to the pressures and communication difficulties of lockdown.)
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.