S1 EP4: Beyond the Bad Headlines: The Hidden Warmth of North Earlham

Grab a cup of tea and pull up a chair as we drop into North Earlham, where Community Connectors Rainy and Sonya reveal the vibrant soul of their neighbourhood that most outsiders never see.

"I feel privileged living in North Earlham. I don't think I'd want to live anywhere else," shares Rainy, overflowing with passion for the community she's called home her entire life. After three years of connecting residents, documenting stories, and witnessing transformation, these two community champions take us behind the headlines about "deprivation" and "antisocial behaviour" to show us what community truly means.

Hear powerful stories including a once-neglected alleyway transformed through a community mural project. During the hottest week of summer, residents of all ages came together, leaving handprints that became butterflies and taking ownership of a space previously avoided. 

Through intimate conversations and grassroots organising, Rainy and Sonya have uncovered the hidden strengths of North Earlham. They've documented these through an Insights Hub - giving residents a voice, and signposted isolated individuals to vibrant local groups. Most importantly, they've planted seeds of leadership throughout the community.

Though their official roles are ending, their legacy of connection continues: "We're going to be signposting forever, I think."

Listen now to discover how community conversations create ripples of change that transform neighbourhoods from the inside out. 

Hear more about the insights gathered in our neighbourhoods by visiting www.communityconversations.info

There's something for everyone at The Shoebox, get in touch today to see what's on offer. Head to www.theshoebox.org.uk and get involved.

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The Community Connector project was delivered by The Shoebox Enterprises CIC and supported by Norwich City Council, with funding from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, and Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board's Community Voices programme.

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Transcript

Sonya 0:19

People do really have pride in the community . Although you wouldn't necessarily know it or think it , you know I like the fact that people come together and people are interested . It's a it's a funny old place to live really

Saskia 0:38

You're listening to Community Unboxed , the podcast that showcases the power of community by voicing the people that make it so . Follow us as we drop in on our nearby social groups and discover what special item our Connectors and members of the community have chosen to put in our imaginary shoebox .

Meet the Community Connectors

Rainy 1:10

Hello , I'm Rainy

Sonya 1:11

and I'm Sonya ,

Rainy 1:12

and we are your North Earlham Community Connectors .

Sonya 1:15

We've been in the job now for three years .

Rainy 1:18

I thought this job would give me the opportunity to listen to my people's voices , to ensure that each and every one of their voices can be heard and to obviously get to know what is needed within our community .

Sonya 1:30

So we didn't really know what we were doing when we started no , we went in blind , it was a very broad job description go and talk to people , drink tea , write your conversations down .

Sonya 1:38

That was pretty much the summary in the beginning . But we went out and about and I think I I knew about a lot of the organisations within the community and I had attended groups and things , but it was a drop in the ocean compared to actually what happens where we live .

Sonya 1:55

I like to think that there are people out there who definitely have become more involved because of what we've done

Rainy 2:00

yeah , definitely , it's about finding everything , what's happening locally and gathering that general knowledge and be able to signpost that and share that information with as many people as possible .

Sonya 2:12

I think when I , when I come to things with my partner , brian , he's struck by the community , the sense of community like at your community meals he said it's like being in the 60s and 70s , because he imagines that that's what it was like , that community feel of coming together and sharing food and sharing stories . And I think we have that . We have that quite a lot all around our community and I don't think people realise it . I think people just listen to the bad stuff and don't realise that there are actually people there who really care about each other .

Sonya 2:58

Rainy , oh , she knows everything about the community and she cares so deeply for everybody and spends her whole life thinking about ways that , what she can do to improve the community and to help people and she's friendly and she's knowledgeable and she's , you know , approachable .

Rainy 3:18

Yeah , and I think we make a really good team . Uh , where I fail in remembering a lot of people's names, Sonya is very , very good at that . Sonya's just very approachable . Working alongside Sonya , I feel that we complement each other very much in being North Earlham Community Connectors and I think we've both learnt from each other and we've both grown together . I think we've grown stronger together to benefit our community .

Sonya 3:47

I think we complement each other very much . You know , Rainy was born and bred on the estate and she knows everybody and she grew up there , whereas I've moved there kind of 17 years ago and my son was small . So I know the community but I'm not , you know , entrenched as part of it so I think we look at things in different ways . Like we might meet somebody that Rainy's known for 20 , 30 years but I might have a very different conversation with them because I've only just met them . So they might tell me things that Rainy wouldn't necessarily think to ask them just because she knows , whereas I , you know . But then other people , Rainy could go deeper with them because she does have that pre-existing relationship with some people .

Creating Community Connections

Rainy 4:32

I think , being a Community Connector , you get to speak to a lot of different people that you personally wouldn't have the opportunity to . What makes me proud is listening to people's stories , things they've done in the past and things that they'd like to see in the future with our community and people starting groups from grassroots , asking us for our advice , and we're able to signpost people , especially the lonely and the people that isolated at home who didn't know what was happening within our community so therefore we were able to say well , actually there's a number of different groups and activities . Did you know ? We then have a leaflet full of all dates , a a bit like a calendar , and that's got all dates and we'll circle a few of interest , and we'll give that to them . There's also people that we talk to who may not realise that they're entitled to extra benefits and stuff like that , or they realise they are but they don't have any help to fill in the forms . So we're like oh , pop down here . That's what they do . You'll get a warm welcome cup of tea and they're able to help you .

Sonya 5:31

And sometimes we'll say to people you know , let me know if you want to go along , because we'll come along , we'll be there . So at least you'll have one sort of friendly face .

Rainy 5:42

And it's also identifying sparks within our community , those that just go that little bit extra to make a difference in our community . And that's our place to , you know , make a song and dance and shout about that you know and say , you know , well done you . Without people like you , you know , our community wouldn't be what it is today .

Rainy 5:59

A lot of people will complain about litter and we're like , well , is there anything you can do about that ? Well , no , not really . Well , actually there is because you can , you know you can , um , you can , you can borrow people's litter picks and you can arrange a local regular litter pick . Oh , we didn't realise we could do that . Yes , you can , and so it's just really planting the seeds and then letting the people , people grow with that and take leadership within the community .

Sonya 6:33

And people do really

The Alleyway Mural Project

Sonya 6:34

have pride in the community , although you wouldn't necessarily know it or think it , Rainy's community group did . They painted a mural . There's a wall that goes around this alleyway that connects our estate to the main road and it's not very well treated . Lots of bad things happen in there , you know , illegal things , and Rainy had this idea let's paint a mural , let's give it back to the community , and her and her community group did it in a week , the hottest week of the summer , you must have lost a few pounds sweating that week

Rainy 7:06

I got a good tan

Sonya 7:08

and people were just walking past . What are you doing ? You know , let's get involved .

Sonya 7:12

And putting handprints on the walls .

Rainy 7:14

So everybody was involved , from babies up to the elderly . The theme was nature , so children were doing handprints and turning them into butterflies . Children were chalking ideas and inspiration on the walls and we were like , yeah , that's great , paint it and the wall is massive . So how we did it in five days is we only done it because of the community coming together and they've took great pride .

Rainy 7:40

Six months later , there's no graffiti , there's more regular litter picks up there and I'd like to think that there's less antisocial behaviour up there as well . But people take pride . I spoke to a partially blinded lady who says that she absolutely loves walking up there now and the colour , and she says it takes twice as long now to walk up the alleyway because she doesn't want to miss anything in the process and obviously , being partially blind and now a lot brighter and more colourful , um , it helps her too . There was also people that wouldn't even walk up the alleyway because they felt intimidated , especially when it got dark . Um , they're now actually using it as the shortcut , which it is supposed to be .

Sonya 8:20

And you, did you hear a young person telling his friend leave it alone because was my little sisters on that

Rainy 8:26

yeah , there was a group of uh youths , um , biked past out of interest , uh , to see what we were doing , and they were like , yeah , that's not very good . And another young person in the group was like , yeah , you're not touching that wall because my sister's handprints on that wall . So he took ownership there and then , but that was just how the community come together . The plan was that I had an artist that was supposed to be drawing and they were supposed to paint it , but the community took leadership straight away and they were like this is what we want . So we were like you go with it , go with it . And so , yeah , that's just one project that community come together .

Sonya 9:01

People were bringing them drinks , bringing them ice lollies . You know , it was a really great community event . For me that was like a first, I hadn't really sort of seen that before and I just was over overwhelmed by it , made you feel quite proud to be part of it my handprints are on there , little butterfly ,

Rainy 9:21

and I'd done a black cat , but this is just how uh , listening to the people saying about fly tipping up the alleyway and I'm like , well , you need to report that if you see any dog mess you know they've said that they need the bins up there . How can we as a community make a difference ? How can we change this ?

Lets Bring The Community Together

Rainy 9:41

And because , with the many different hats that I wear within my community , I was like there's an opportunity , let's embrace it , let's bring the community together , let's make change . And that's exactly what we did . But without being a Community Connector , I would have never known that information until I can hear , listen to my people's voices .

Sonya 10:02

I love just how different people are , how many funny characters there are , like you can have some really interesting funny conversations , and I like how people do care for each other . You know my car . My car wouldn't start the other day . I had like three neighbours come out in the pouring rain to help me jump my car and I think I would feel comfortable going and knocking on someone's door and asking for help in the area .

Rainy 10:32

I don't know any different . I've lived in the North Earlham all my life . As Sonya then said , we look out for each other . My neighbours are my friends and I know if I'm in need then I could knock on their doors and vice versa .

Rainy 10:47

Community to me is everything , everything . I can't even describe what community means to me without tearing up to be fair . Yeah , I just love my community . I love everything . I love how we go out to help each other or , if there's a family that's struggling , how we all pull together . I love the green spaces that we have in our community because you know , we are quite a built up community . We have some lovely green spaces . I love how the local church support people . I love how things are put in place for our community , like we've got the baseline centre , who help people endlessly in different ways . We are so lucky what we have in our community to support the people living in it that I feel privileged living in the North Earlham . I don't think I'd want to live anywhere else .

Sonya 11:33

I also like the diversity , because I think we're the most diverse area in Norwich because we live just down the road from the UEA . If there's like a it's a really funny mix of people who live in social housing , people who who there are some people who own their own homes , but it's like people who live in social housing and students and a lot of people some people have a bit of beef with the students and the cars and the rubbish , but generally , you know , people sort of get on . So for me , the diversity of the area as well , I really like that . And you know , people come into the church who aren't necessarily religious or who are a different religion , and everybody is just embraced and helped . You know , they , the church had a christmas dinner on christmas day , so they had seven people go , I think , and I just think how lovely is that that they gave up their time on that day .

Rainy 12:20

And the local pub , the five ways pub , they opened their doors for people for christmas dinner , you know , and that's just wonderful . Those are not just lonely or , you know , need to come together with other people on Christmas it was for families and everybody . The doors were open for everybody , absolutely wonderful .

Sonya 12:38

We talked once about there are communities within the community , so there are these little pockets of groups , but I think , partly because of us , they have come together a bit more and they know more about each other so are able to , you know , come together to work together , which is great .

Sonya 13:04

One part of our job that we do is having conversations with people and the information that we get from the conversations is put into an insights hub which shows what people are saying . It gives people of our community a voice and we're really proud of that . Anybody can see it . Now it's up and live and you can go and look and sort of people are saying about the community and what's strong and what's wrong ?

Rainy 13:31

what's wrong and what's strong in our community . We have lots of little groups within our community where , uh , community members are taking leadership . For instance , I live near a sheltered housing next door and uh , they've set up recently, within the last couple of years they've set up bingo , has gone from once a week to twice a week and , uh , the money that they raise they then go on a social outing together . What I love about the job is finding out these little community things that are happening and then telling everybody about it . So we advertise a lot and signpost people and just listen to the people's stories about how they feel about their community and stories of the past as well , because there's a lot of people that say you know the community has changed , as most communities probably have over generations , but what they've done in the past for their community for instance , we used to have wardens on bikes that regularly go around and that and like we don't have that now , but it's lovely to hear them stories and the difference that they made and , um , people that used to run play groups and stuff . You know it's all need to be documented . You know they volunteered their time and then sometimes , well , why don't you do that now ? Is there a reason why you don't do that now . Did you know that there's certain places that are looking for volunteers , because maybe they just the playgroups stop running for whatever reason , maybe they do have a few hours a week they want to give back to the community ? We're able to then say , well , there's this , this , this in our community and they're actually looking for some volunteers . Pop down , have a word and then giving them opportunities to give back again .

Sonya 15:06

School holidays can be sometimes a little bit challenging because a lot of the regular groups close for the holidays and there's nowhere really aside from kind of baseline centre . There's nowhere really where you can just sort of go and hang out . Places tend to be open at certain times , so sometimes it can be a bit like , well , what should we do this week ? But then we met with this woman who works for the science festival , at the forum , and she came and met with us and then as a result of that she went and did a science day morning at a local toddler group and then that inspired them to run like a science holiday club in the school holidays . She wants to come back this year and she's got money to take some children from the local schools to the science festival in half term .

Rainy 15:55

And I just think you know some , some families don't ever leave the estate . You know some kids they spend their wholesome holidays because people can't afford it . They don't have a car , you know public transport is expensive so they just spend their whole time . So to do something like that would be amazing . And I spoke to a mum and she was at the toddler group when they did the science stuff and they did an experiment and she took the experiment and did it with her school-aged children when she got home . And I think that is what it's all about . You know this particular woman and her partner . They've only been in the area a few years , but they're so they come to everything now . They've had so much support from the church , from Rainy and her group , from Baseline , and they've just been welcomed with open arms and , you know , just helped , supported .

The Shoebox

Sonya 16:55

So we're going to talk about our shoebox items that we bought now , but we'd like to start with a little bit of a chat about The Shoebox .

Sonya 17:04

I had literally never heard of it before I got my job .

Rainy 17:10

No , me neither . I do recall it being a shoe shop many , many years ago though .

Sonya 17:15

So basically , the shoebox is a social enterprise on Castle Meadow and they run the hidden street walk tours that are underneath Castle Meadow and various other tours around the city . I know they think they do a spooky one , I think they do a lantern trail , and all of the money that they make from that they put into the hub where they run different groups for different people . They have a baking group , they've got creative writing group , I think there's neuro groups for people who are neurodivergent , people who suffer with bipolar and things like that . There's quite a few that go on , and then they got the funding for us as Community Connectors but The Shoebox is , you know , it's a really lovely , warm it's a very warm welcoming space place and it's been, it has been a joy working for them and the CEO , Tom , he works very , very hard and you know he's really supported us and and made the job a lot easier to be fair and a lot more, you know ,

Rainy 18:16

rewarding

Sonya 18:17

yeah .

Rainy 18:18

So if you are ever down down that way ,

Sonya 18:21

pop in and see them and have a look at their timetables and see if there's anything on there that you fancy and by all means go and do the tours , because they're fantastic ,

Rainy 18:32

yeah , absolutely brilliant .

Sonya 18:35

I think I feel I feel privileged and and I feel, I won't say lucky , because it was my skill and charming personality that got me the job , not luck, so I will , you know , I feel privileged to have been a part of this project and I think we will leave a legacy behind and I think we will be remembered and we will be talked about and obviously you know you're very heavily involved in the community anyway , because you know ,

Rainy 19:01

yeah , this project has been absolutely wonderful . To be fair , it don't really feel like a job . It feels like we are just going into the community and we're listening , but you know that's a ripple effect that we have .

Rainy 19:19

So we're going to go into our shoebox ,

Sonya 19:23

our shoebox objects . So what have you brought along Rainy ?

Rainy 19:27

so

Rainy's Magnet: Symbol of Community

Rainy 19:28

we've both brought object today and I have brought with me today is a fridge magnet . It's not a souvenir to remind me of a great holiday abroad or destination with the sun , sea or cocktails , where you leave all your worries behind . My magnet is a small piece of wood about 7cm x 7cm square with a colourful logo on . I didn't travel anywhere to receive this magnet . It was given to me by a community member right here what I would call home . I look at this small magnet daily with a smile on my face and with lots of warmth in my heart .

Rainy 20:08

This colourful , bright logo was designed by a local young person 10 years ago , where we held a competition to create a logo for a new upcoming community group . The logo has a paintbrush on, football boots , dance shoes , musical notes , microphone and a football . This logo represents new beginnings , community , social engagement , fun and games . Looking at this magnet , it brings a hundred and hundreds of memories . It shows of hopes , dreams of a young person to be able to enjoy crafts , sports , to sing and dance , to be a child . It's a logo that allows young people to be young people . The words on the magnet says NR5 Community Hub .

Rainy 20:54

NR5 , our home , our location , known as a deprived area of Norwich with a high rate of antisocial behaviour . We wanted change . Community , our neighbours , our friends , our family , our home . Our aim: To prevent social isolation and bring people together . Hub: A safe space that people could be proud of , warm and welcoming . NR5 Hub was created . This magnet presents a group of local people coming together who wanted more in our community .

Rainy 21:28

A logo on a magnet that gave us inspiration and hope . A logo on a magnet that brought the community together . A logo on a magnet that has empowered a strong team of volunteers to make positive change in our community . A logo on a magnet that has brought so many smiles on people's faces . A logo on a magnet that has supported hundreds of local residents . A logo on a magnet that , to me , holds a thousand memories . A logo on a magnet of a community group created ten years ago to a well-established organisation that has grown and flourished alongside our community . When I walk past my fridge and I see this magnet , it brings smiles to my face and warmth in my heart .

Rainy 22:25

Knowing that in the past 10 years, this has been so rewarding , giving back to my community .

Sonya 22:35

Oh , Rainy , that was absolutely lovely . Really sums it up as well . That's absolutely what, you know what the hub is and it means so much to so many people . You know , and when I signpost , my first port of call is always the hub . Go to the hub on a Friday , whether it's go with your kids in the morning or go in the afternoon , and your community meals . You know they're my first port of call because I know that if I can get them through the door to the hub , they're in .

Rainy 23:03

There's lots of opportunity

Sonya 23:04

and that's it because you know what you're talking about so you again can continue to signpost . You know people get involved . You know there are people that we've met , that we've come across , who are regularly going to things , who are going to your groups , who are now like you . We said before with that lady and her son . You know we changed their lives just by being there and you change people's lives Rainy at the hub it is amazing .

Rainy 23:25

I think when you reflect back on a tiny piece of wood with a logo on that after ten years , that you've created something special and you give back to your community . And you probably all heard in my voice that I actually did get rather emotional at some points there . I'm extremely proud to be NR5 . I'm extremely proud of my community . I'm also extremely proud to have the opportunity that I had to become a Community Connector working alongside the Shoebox Enterprise and to be able to get to know my community a lot better and together we can build stronger communities

Sonya 23:59

absolutely

Sonya 24:06

well . So my shoebox item is a little bit further away from NR5

Sonya's Cypriot Heritage

Sonya 24:13

.

Sonya 24:13

I've brought with me , uh , two little shot glasses and they're shaped like boots . One is blue and one is yellow . They were originally a set of six and now there's five remaining . They came from Cyprus , which means a lot to me because my dad was a Greek Cypriot . So I grew up hearing about Cyprus , visiting Cyprus , and these shot glasses mean more to me in a sense because they were my mum's and my mum and dad got divorced when I was five . So it's nice that my mum has, that, there's something from my mum that came from Cyprus , from a time when her and my dad were happy and he passed away ten years ago this year and when he was alive it's like I didn't really it was just part of my life and he talked about Cyprus and we went to Cyprus but I didn't really care , because you don't when you're young and when you're , you know a child and it's your dad rambling on in your ear about Cyprus and how all the things that have happened there . But since he died , you know , I've really looked into the history of Cyprus , you know , and there was a conflict there and it was divided with the Greeks and the Turkish people and I've looked a lot more into that and one of the shot glasses actually is from Famagusta , which is in the north of Cyprus , but my dad was born there and they all had to flee . They fled to the south and were never able to go back and it's really sad . People , just literally some people were in the middle of a meal and they got up and they left their houses to run for their lives .

Sonya 25:50

here's happened right around the time I was born in the mid seventies and my dad was already in England but obviously he had family there and there was no social media and my mum remembers him , you know waiting by the phone for news , and I think it means a lot to me now because he left us . When he died , he left us some money and we we took our me and my brother , my sister took our children and now you can actually travel into northern Cyprus . So before he died he did manage to go back to Cyprus , go back to the north and see where he was born and to take my children there was really nice and I'd never been to northern Cyprus .

Sonya 26:28

My older sister and my brother had been and they kind of remembered a little bit more about it . But it was so nice , it was like putting an old coat on the language , like I don't speak Greek but hearing people speak Greek , it's so familiar to me and I understand so much more of it than I thought and it's you know , it's really . It really meant something to me . And this year I turned 50 and we're going to go back , we're to go to the south , so I'm going to take them and try and find places that I visited as a child with my dad , and I have some family over there as well , so it'd be really nice to go and catch up with with my family . And you know , learn , learn more about it .

Rainy 27:13

That's absolutely lovely , Sonya yeah , and I do hope that you and your you have a wonderful 50th birthday out there .

Sonya 27:19

Yeah , yeah , we're looking forward to it

Rainy 27:20

and you'll be able to share what memories you have with your own children ,

Sonya 27:24

although I did say to my children because they're 18 and 22, . I said you have to be excited . I said we're going to go to Cyprus and I'm going to pull up someone and go , wow , look at this . And they'll be like , yeah , mum , we'll stay in the car

Rainy 27:36

No they'll go, woohoo, yeah , let's go .

Sonya 27:38

Yeah , they've got to show enthusiasm .

Sonya 27:39

No , I'm really looking forward to it and looking forward to taking them back over there .

Rainy 27:44

Thank you for sharing your shoebox item with me , Sonya .

Sonya 27:47

Well , thank you for sharing yours it's been, I think it's been a little bit of an emotional one

Rainy 27:50

It was rather emotional

Sonya 27:50

To round it up, you know, I have to say I do think you are amazing, I think you are an amazing person . I think you don't actually realize what you do and what you mean to people .

Rainy 28:19

Well , I'd like to say that we actually did make a really good team ,

Sonya 28:23

but yeah , it's been a ride , that's for sure .

Rainy 28:25

Yeah , it has . Yeah ,

Sonya 28:26

I can't believe we signed on for a year ,

Rainy 28:29

one year and three years later

Sonya 28:30

and it's all over now,

Rainy 28:31

it's kind of bittersweet to be fair . You know I'm a great believer in one door shut and another door open , but this has been an opportunity that I don't think we'll ever get again .

Sonya 28:43

No .

Rainy 28:43

There'd

Reflections and Signing Off

Rainy 28:44

never be two more North Earlham Community Connectors like Sonya and Rainy . It's been so rewarding just to get to know our community better and we've made friends lots of friends over it ,

Sonya 28:55

I think even though it's ending , I think we still very much want to give back .

Sonya 28:59

I'm not going to just quit my job now and then disappear from sight . No one's ever going to see me again . I will still be out and about and signposting . We're going to be signposting forever , I think .

Rainy 29:09

Yeah , I think we're the two people to go to now and , uh , that will take a long time for the community to realise actually we're not in post anymore , but that will just come naturally to us ,

Sonya 29:20

you're like a stick of rock , aren't you ?

Sonya 29:21

If we cut you open , you'd have community running through your veins , I think ,

Rainy 29:27

yeah , you take me out of my community though ? Yeah , I'm not very comfortable with that . I do love the North Earlham . I'm very proud to be a girl from the North Earlham . I'm very proud to be a North Earlham Community Connector .

Sonya 29:40

I'm much prouder of where I live now than I used to be , and I will admit that when you get out there and you meet the people , it does it makes you humble and it makes you proud to be a part of that

Sonya 29:52

Right . So I think that's about us wrapped up

Rainy 29:55

So this is Rainy and Sonya

Sonya 29:58

signing off .

Sonya 29:58

Bye .

Sonya 30:08

You've been listening to the North Earlham episode of Community Unboxed . For more information , head to theshoebox . org . uk .