On Thursday 8th April, Ros (Community Conversations Worker) and Nana (Volunteer and Education Team worker) were taken to lunch by Cllr Sharaf Mahmood for an evaluation meeting of the Community Talks event and to plan for further community conversations in the Green Street East area.
They were joined by Shabana Quadir from the Community Leaders and Engagement Team.
The lunch was also a “thank you” to Conflict and Change for such a successful event.
Cllr Mahmood talked through some of his ideas for future events to build community relationships in the Green Street East area. Everyone agreed that big community events and entertainment are important but that it is usual for people to attend in their friendship groups and not mix with others. Ros and Nana were able to advise on ways of getting participation.
One possible idea for the future is to combine a celebrity concert for youth in the area with dialogue and discussions beforehand.
Cllr Mahmood expressed appreciation for the facilitation skills and participatory approach of Conflict and Change and will certainly be asking for our involvement in the future.
Cllr Mahmood said: " The event was very good. I think we need to build on it now and look forward.. It is about trying to build the aspirations in the community and see how Conflict and Change can help. It's important to work more closely with each other. Working across boundries.. I think we are doing it better now."
Shabana Quadir commented on the Community Talks event : " It was fantastic how all those young people got involved.. They were quite strong in the way they spoke up and said to the adults how they felt. ..And you made it a nice atmosphere."
