Community network going from strength to strength
GROUP SUPPORTS THE ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE WHILE BUILDING TOGETHERNESS WITH FUN ACTIVITIES
A LARGE and lovely artwork is the latest creation by many hands that help form a thriving community group in Hull.
Members of the SSR Network – SSR standing for Strathmore, Silverdale and Riversdale, the roads that help to make up the local neighbourhood – have crafted a multimedia piece using recycled and donated materials.
The artwork represents the three streets in charming and colourful detail and has had a purpose-built frame made for it by the nearby Men in Sheds organisation.
Samantha Grierson, of SSR Network, said: “We have created many seasonal works of art but the latest one is by far the most impressive.
“It has been created by many hands within our community; it is a multi-media piece that is now in situ in a purpose-built frame created by Men in Sheds at the top of our streets.”
Another of the driving forces behind SSR Network is local resident Margaret Milner, who now hosts a regular “chatty crafters” meeting at her home.
Samantha said: “During Covid, Margaret messaged and said would anyone be available to help and shop for vulnerable people in our area who couldn’t get out.
“Our main sustainable group that grew out of Covid times is the chatty crafters, hosted by Margaret, who has been involved in many voluntary things in her life. We use recycled and donated materials to create new things to sell to fund our local defibrillator and for our community pot.”
The network organises a number of community events, such as a picnic in the park and special celebrations for the likes of the Queen’s Plantinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation.
“We use the Library of Stuff [Hull man Alan Dalgairn’s notfor-profit community venture that has thousands of items for hire] to get things for our events.”
Samantha said: “We did a Christmasthemed afternoon tea where all the local elderly people got an invitation to attend. We used the On The Edge Community Arts and Drama Centre.”
Fellow SSR Network organiser Jo Mawson said community spirit was at the heart of all the activities and that they helped to bring the residents of all three streets together. “It’s a really positive experience,” she said.
“We have a community Facebook page where anyone who might be able to support us, such as local businesses, can get in touch with us.”
We have created many seasonal works of art, but the latest one is the most impressive.
Samantha Grierson