Rebekah: A Listener's Story

In the six months from the sparkle of an idea voiced at a community coffee morning to the launch of The Listeners Project in June, 30 volunteers from all walks of life have enrolled to be trained in coaching skills so they can befriend local residents who would like to talk through something concerning them, or perhaps just learn more about the community they live in.

Between them, our Listeners team have an impressive range of skills, knowledge and backgrounds: from student psychologists and counsellors, to mothers and grandmothers, and town councillors (including the Mayor!) We meet residents informally in coffee shops, bars and restaurants in the area, and our role is to build confidence by encouraging small steps forward, and signposting to other useful resources.

Rebekah^* is a Listener. A mother and also a psychology student, her family is one of 1200 who moved into Love’s Farm, the new housing development on the edge of town, last year. There is the usual mix of home buyers and social housing, some of whom commute to London to work but who have already formed a community association to manage a brand new community centre being built, and already have their own website. Rebekah likes living at Love’s Farm. “It is fresh and open, but I can’t wait for the builders to finish! There are no parks yet for the children. We do have our own primary school which many attend but a few still attend other schools. The community worker, Katie, keeps us in touch with what’s happening on site and we’ve had a few good events already including an archaeological exhibition and a big Litter-pick”.

Newcomers and existing residents are kept abreast with a bi-monthly newsletter, which is more of a magazine, with useful information that people need or want to know regarding the developments in Loves Farm. “Moving to a new town takes you out of your comfort zone” says Rebekah. “People need to talk, to get things off their chest at an anxious time, especially in a new place. There are big issues to contend with. The move could be a positive thing for some but for others it might be a negative, and there are housing issues, a new school, different neighbours...”

"I like being part of the Listeners Project and would like to share my experience to help others settle in by setting up our own group. If you would like to know more about our Listeners’ service, please contact us.

^* Not her real name.