Community Champion helps bring neighbours together

Emma Leader, who lives in Wantage, Oxfordshire, has helped turn a memorial idea into a growing programme of community activity, from a Happy to Chat bench to plans for a new shared garden and even a children’s play park.

Emma first got involved after a much-loved neighbour at their scheme, St Mary’s, passed away. Wanting to mark his contribution to the local community, she contacted Stonewater to ask whether something could be done in his memory.

The idea led to a Happy to Chat bench being installed near his former home, complete with a memorial plaque. The bench gives customers a place to gather, rest and remember someone who had been an important part of life at St Mary’s.

Emma said: “Our neighbour was a big figure in the community. I spoke to Stonewater and asked if there was anything we could do, like a little memorial for him. Stonewater suggested a Happy to Chat bench and it went from there.”

A voice for the community

Following the project, Emma became one of Stonewater’s Community Champions – an initiative that supports customer volunteers to share local feedback, highlight issues and suggest ideas that can help improve where they live.

As part of the role, Emma completes regular feedback forms, helping Stonewater understand what is happening on the ground and what matters most to customers.

She said: “It’s about being a voice for the community. You can pass on feedback from other residents, share ideas and help make things happen.”

Emma has since helped support several activities at St Mary’s, which is made up of 128 homes. Events have included a community day organised with Stonewater colleagues, where residents had the chance to meet the team and enjoy activities together.

Stonewater community grant funding was also used to organise an Easter egg hunt for local children, with signs, prizes and activities helping bring families together during the school holidays.

Emma said: “I put in an application, explained what I wanted to do and Stonewater helped provide the things we needed. About 10 children took part and because we now have the signs and resources, we can use them again. Stonewater is really helpful and good at getting back to us, it’s a great scheme.”

Shared spaces

Emma is now working with Stonewater on a community garden, after a conversation in the neighbourhood Facebook group about Stonewater’s garden competition highlighted that some residents living in flats did not have access to their own outdoor space.

An overgrown patch of land at St Mary’s was identified as a space that could be cleared and turned into a garden for residents to enjoy.

Emma said: “Someone said they were in a flat and didn’t have a garden but would like some outside space to spend time in, so I asked Stonewater whether we could clear an overgrown area and make it into a community garden. It will give people in the flats somewhere outside to enjoy, which we know is good for them.”

Stonewater’s maintenance team is supporting the project and clearing the space, with customers expected to work together to help bring the new area to life.

Helping communities thrive

Emma, who works full time and lives with her husband and three children, is also considering options for a children’s play area at St Mary’s, similar to a neighbouring Stonewater development.

She feels that Stonewater’s investment in schemes such as the Community Champions, of which there are almost 70 across the country, is great for helping customers turn local ideas into action and adds that having responsive support from Stonewater colleagues has helped residents feel encouraged to put ideas forward.

She said: “Stonewater colleagues have been really on the ball. Any question you have, they answer straight away and it feels good to have them on our side. I really enjoy being part of it. It gives us a way to share ideas and make things better for everyone where we live.”