A SPRING pop-up event took place at Edmund Park playground on Saturday 18th March, where the community connected with each other and learnt about local resources in Frome.
The family event was organised by ToGather: Edmund Park, a group who are responding to a community request from the residents of the estate near Asda.
The group said, “As part of ToGather we are working with the people of Edmund Park to unlock the potential that is already there, so the people are rich in connection and rich in resources.
“The pop-up event was about bringing the resources to people. The feedback was really positive. People loved it, they learnt new things and met their neighbours and connected. One resident told us she wanted to start a clothes swap but didn’t know how, another resident said that she is an acrobat and wants to do a session for children in the area, but didn’t know how to get started. This is what it’s all about, working with the residents to do this type of thing.
“Edmund Park residents shared with us lots of great ideas for their neighbourhood – from benches on their streets to skill shares and a community space to gather in – and also told us that a paid role would be valuable to help make them happen. So the next step for us is to test such a role, we’ll be fundraising and recruiting over the summer months.”
Frome initiatives that had a stall at the pop-up event were: Frome Community Bike Project that offered free bike checks; the SHARE shop bought along outdoor games and shared information about the project; Frome wardrobe collective encouraged people to swap clothes; there was Mothers’ Day card making; Fabulous Frome; Frome Community Fridge with food and pastries; and vegetarian or vegan curry served by Lungi Babas.
ToGather:Edmund Park started earlier this year, as part of Edventure Frome’s latest start up course to work with communities that need help to come together.
The group said, “We started by identifying that some resources in Frome may be hard to access, we wanted to focus on Edmund Park and this was followed by initial research and meetings with residents living there, to check whether our insights were correct. They were correct and they told us they wanted more connection and now we are responding to their request.”
As part of bringing the resources to the people in Edmund Park, ToGather: Edmund Park are also working with SHARE on a three-week trial delivery service, where items from the shop are being taken to Edmund Park’s green space every Thursday for residents to collect.
