Interviewed by Fiona Clancy

Fiona: How long have you lived in the area?
Ann: 15 years.

Fiona: What’s a fond memory you have of living here?
Ann: My fondest memory is of a neighbourhood party (pre-covid) where all of my neighbours came together and shared some drinks while having lots of chats and fun.

Fiona: Have you seen this community come back from hard times before?
Ann: Yes, during Covid as restrictions started lifting I went to visit a neighbour who expressed that she was struggling and I helped her by keeping in contact with her during the remainder of lockdown. Now, we go to charity shops together.

Fiona: What are some things that have helped you through lockdown and what brings you joy?
Ann: My favourite thing about the lockdown was a stray cat named Oscar. Oscar would come into my house freely and keep me company. My family and friends bring me the most joy.

Fiona: What does community mean to you? What sort of things are you doing now to stay connected to your community and family?
Ann: Community means being surrounded by people who care to check in on you. To stay connected, I go to charity shops where I meet my friends and make new friends too. My children moved closer to me so they can visit me more often.

Fiona: What message do you want to share for yourself and this community in 10 years time?
Ann: If I could leave anything behind for my community it would be to tell them: “If you’re hungry, I’ll feed ya, there’s always a spot of wine and my door is always open.”

Pictured below is a drawing Fiona created of Ann welcoming her community.