On 4 July 2020 we called the people of Coventry together for ‘CommUNITY is not just for pandemics’ to reflect on the COVID-19 crisis and talk about what they want to happen next.
As a nation and as a city, the pandemic has shown us that we care, we want to be useful and we want to work together. And it’s shown that we can.
155 people showed up to our online summit and considered three things close to Grapevine’s heart:
- Poverty and inequality
- Neighbourliness and connections
- Our power to change.
Download the full summit report here.
From Ash Green to Wyken, young and old, unemployed, home working and furloughed, parents, migrants and students, living alone and with families.
“You realise just how our current system doesn’t work at all for anybody. I think it’s a good time for a massive system change to come back to a better world that works for everybody.”
David, Whoberley
Grapevine wants to make sure that the community spirit that’s flowered outlasts this crisis. That its momentum continues. And that it makes Coventry more resilient and more able to meet the challenges ahead.
Grapevine CEO Clare Wightman says: “It’s not going to be easy. Mental ill-health, family instability, unemployment, as well as deep damage to public finances is coming. In the challenges ahead we know that services will still be needed and so will formal volunteer-run services.
“But the biggest resource lies untapped and outside of formalised support. It lies in the people and communities of Coventry. It lies in what can be achieved when they organise together around the things they care about.
“The key to longevity is activating a whole community’s ability to rise to its challenges whatever they may be – and this is where we can help.”
Taking action now
What do YOU want to do or make happen? Pre-pandemic we were moving the city’s communities towards a position of increased strength and resilience. Now we can lead the way in bringing others on-board, deepening the work and accelerating our activity in readiness for recovery.
You can sign up for a conversation with Clare or our Deputy CEO Mel Smith.
Or come to Collaboration Station on the third Wednesday of each month – links available on Facebook or by emailing the Connecting for Good Cov team at admin@grapevinecovandwarks.org.