At the crux of a neighbourhood issue in Willenhall was a community feeling powerless to change what was wrong.
So Grapevine community organiser Edwin Lukong set about the none-too-easy task of building connection, belief and leadership in local people whose voice and influence had long been limited.
In the process of creating conversations, relationships, a mission and a strategy to achieve their mission, something deeper took root—an emerging sense of power, confidence and possibility.
Grapevine deputy CEO Mel Smith heads up our shifting power work in Coventry and Warwickshire and shares the tale of Brookstray Park —a neglected park in a deprived area of Coventry, the community-led campaign to bring it back to life for people to enjoy outdoor connection once again and campaigners who won’t take “no” for an answer.
Mel says: “At its core, community power is about people believing they can make a difference, seeing that difference play out and stepping up to lead. It’s not just about fixing a broken swing or planting a few flowers; it’s about shifting the sense of what’s possible.”
The renewal of Brookstray Park was identified as a community priority through a series of ‘Willenhall Coalition’ focus groups at the tailend of 2023.
People showed up, got organised, knocked almost 900 doors and uncovered what local people wanted—to make life better for children and families. Improving the park as a place for all to use and enjoy was a tangible response.
Together the group conducted research, made a website, created a plan based on their listening and decided to help the council consult local people about a £300k ‘Multi Use Games Area’—directing where that money and resource was best placed. Their commitment continues as we write.
Residents joining together in a common effort working with others to solve their challenges needs strong, empowered communities.
Even if park improvements are not top of some people’s lists, helping neighbours win the campaign makes future projects tackling other issues possible.
But building community power is slow and complex—it takes time, investment and a solid foundation. This isn’t just about resources; it also means changing the way everyone involved thinks about power and what communities can achieve.
Mel says: “In short, it’s about creating the conditions for communities to lead and giving them the tools and support to make an impact. This work is deep, long-term and requires a shift in mindset from everyone involved.”
We welcome the government’s planned £5 billion investment in a new ‘Pride In Place’ strategy, aiming to help build stronger communities living in thriving places where local people are empowered to influence local decisions.
We hope its intention to “break from the past” and find a new way for the government to work in partnership with communities and neighbourhoods further strengthens our work in Willenhall and other historically left out communities across the country.
What it will take though is the kind of slow, deep, intentional development of relationships and shifting of mindsets we are seeing unfold in Brookstray Park.
Click here to read our journey of deep social change over the last 30 years and stay tuned for our blogs on strengthening democracy and collaborating to change public service systems, coming later this October.
