Peartree Library: A True Community Space
The University of Derby is pioneering a new project in Normanton - the opening up of a Community Space where groups can work.
This is something really positive for our communities
”Betty Phoba, Chair of Voice of Congolese Women
One of the main frustrations facing community organisations in Derby is the lack of available and affordable meeting places. Without such facilities, groups struggle to provide effective, stable and enduring services for the people they support.
Recognising this problem, the University of Derby decided to act. Working in partnership with Derby Libraries, we have identified a 'Community Space' at Peartree Library, a building brilliantly centred right in the heart of Normanton in Derby.
This project has grown out of research undertaken in the city by our Community Relations Officer, Peter Walker. Through consultation with community groups, the need for a community space became apparent, as was the willingness of community members to learn through Pathway-style workshops on issues such as Health and Wellbeing, Volunteering and Education.
Now, groups accross Derby are taking advantage of the opportunity to have a safe place where they can meet.
Craft Action
So far, a number of initiatives have been started using Peartree Library. 'Craft Action' is a collaborative project undertaken by Voice of Congolese Women with the support of the University of Derby, and aims to reach out to women of all faiths and ethnicities across the city.
Through involvement in a programme of garment making these women gain practical skills, but also much more - the opportunity to learn together in supporting women and young people.
Craft Action is funded by a grant from Faiths in Action, and is helping to reduce female isolation and build confidence within our communities.
'Welcome Boxes'
This is an initiative aimed at welcoming and supporting new arrivals settling in our city. Managed by Karina Martin, Project Director for Upbeat Communities, the scheme provides boxes containing information packs about important local services and childrens' activities.
ESOL
The space is used to hold ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) workshops. These sessions are facilitated by Karina Martin, who also runs Sew to Work classes in the library.
Rationale
This is a women's group that meets in Peartree library to participate in Creative Therapy, and is part of an arts-based research project run by Jamie Bird, Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts at the University of Derby.
This work is complemented by a student placement, which sees a Theraputic Arts postgraduate work in the library to meet with the women to talk about Art Therapy and jointly design a programme that can be run in the Community Space over this academic year.
Pilot project
The Peartree Library project is currently operating as a 15 month pilot, but there is scope for an extension to this term. This would of course be a tremendous boost to the city.
Betty Phoba, Chair of Voice of Congolese Women and employee of the University, says of the project: "It's great to have Peartree Library as a community space as we have been struggling to find a place that can offer a long term contract.
"This is something really positive for our communities".
If you are interested in becoming involved in this project, contact Peter Walker on 01332 59 1945 or email p.walker@derby.ac.uk
