Flower and Dean

It’s a word that gets banded about today probably as much as it ever has, but what is community, where do we find it, and why do we prize it so highly?

When we think of community, isn’t our first thought often that of a village, where we all know everyone, and the pace of life is slow? Well, very few of us live there nowadays! Modern life is invariably urban, fast, diverse and digital. We’re as likely to bond with someone on the other side of the globe, via the internet, as we are to know and be friendly with our immediate neighbours.

Yet some things haven’t changed. We do all still have neighbours – whether we know them or not. We still live in distinct neighbourhoods, sharing the same shops, places of worship, public amenities. 

Today’s internet communities – including this one - are all well and good, but they won’t keep an eye on your flat when you’re away for a few days. Nor are they likely to join you down at the Town Hall to protest the closure of your local community centre. 

We still need community in that old-fashioned sense, just as much as we ever did. One Housing does what it can to support and encourage community initiatives – our current Community Fund a brilliant example, our One Community digital platform (the clue’s in the name), another.

But ultimately community relies on all of us – residents, neighbours, citizens.

From the smallest gesture of kindness and consideration, through to the heroic efforts of the devoted community champion, we all know the difference these ways of being can make. Say “Hi, how’ya doing?” to your neighbour next time you see them – you never know, it might make their day.

Share tips and advice on how to tackle anti-social behaviour in your community.

Got an idea to bring your community together? Whether it's a BBQ or weekly coffee morning, we'd like to hear from you.

We'd like to build this platform around what is important to you. If you have any ideas of what we could add to make the 'Flower and Dean' area of this platform even better, leave a comment below.