Springfield in Wigan and the Village of Netherton, Sefton mobilized their communities to support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Springfield, over 100 streets invited neighbors to look out for each other. Neighbors offered help, shared resources, and organized social and wellness activities. In Netherton, over 250 people participated weekly in street exercises and other programs. Both communities supported local services and vulnerable groups. The strong sense of community and neighborly support has benefited residents' well-being and lowered emergency needs compared to other areas. Going forward, both communities want more control over local assets and decision making.

1. A Tale of Two Neighbourhoods
Springfield in Wigan - Mutual Aid
Bringing people together to support each other
The Village of Netherton, Sefton, Merseyside
A community led response to the Pandemic, supported by an alongside
organisation

2. Context - Springfield
Pre lockdown conversations with our Council
about:
• Developing ABCD locally
• Co-operatives, community wealth building
opportunities
Signposted to Made In Wigan (Power to
Change)

3. Street Approach
The Approach
An Invitation

4. Springfield Supporters
Invited 76 streets between 13th -20th March & 112 before
lockdown
Street Champ
Importance of invitation
from a neighbour

5. Street Approach
• Each street looked after each other
• Some neighbours offered to help in other streets
that may not be as well connected
• Everyone had a phone no / Facebook if they
preferred not to join in.
• Suggested ‘need more than neighbourliness’
process with Council
• Permission & Trust
• Hungry Hippos
Are we allowed?

6. Community Building - Springfield Social
• Coffee Morning
• Mindfulness Group
• Dily’s Phone Buddies
• Street libraries, chats, bingo, performers, art,
environmental projects
• Small Business Sunday
• Springfield Supporters became Springfield &
Beech Hill CommUnity
“It reminds me of the
days when you knew who
lived in every house
in your street. It’s becoming
like that again.”
I’m 93 and I
want to help
too

7. Community Building
Zoom Gatherings & Safe Street Conversations
asking
What do you love about Springfield?
What are you passionate about?
What would you be interested in getting involved in with others?

8. We’ve noticed…
People aren’t burnt out - no
heroes, lots of neighbours
Increase in caring for
each other
in giving, exchanging, sharing, lending
Emergency referrals for our neighbourhood have been lower
than other similar area in the town. (SDF Delivery Manager)

9. Netherton, Liverpool

10. The Centre & Community Response
What can the community do itself?
What does the community need
support to do?
What does the community need
others to do?

11. 16 streets
Over 250 people per week taking part
https://l30communitycentre.co.uk/
street-fitness-suey/
Street Exercise

12. Valuable Community Members
Supported:
• Local care homes and care workers
• 6 local hospitals & walk in centres
• Hospice’s
• Doctors & dentists
• The community
Scrub Hub

13. 9 knitters
Over 500 Bees
Lots of smiles
Busy Bees
Sharing Skills & Talents

14. Sharing is Caring
https://l30communitycentre.co.uk/lippy-on-bin-day-jacky/

15. Keeping in Touch & Caring
for Each Other

16. https://l30communitycentre.co.uk/community-building-in-
netherton/

17. Fun on the Streets
Mascots
Street Bingo
VE Day

18. Two young lads were robbed on the canal a couple of weeks ago. We
raised £500 to give to them. We know that doesn’t change what
happened, but it lets them know that we care about them. When local
people heard of the charges that Go Fund Me wanted to make, we
decided to fight back, keeping all our money local and went old school
back to the good old raffle ticket. Prizes have been donated from
everywhere; designer sunglasses from the local optician, cake raffles
from home bakers, sweet boxes and afternoon tea for 2 delivered to the
door. A dinner for two from a restaurant in Maghull. Kenny the local
window cleaner donated three free window cleaning weeks for a house in
the street bingo.”
“It’s as if services really expected us to struggle, and
don’t get me wrong lots of people have. We’ve come
together though. I was talking with someone who is
involved with the recovery team. He’s enjoying not
having to see someone, and being able to pick up from
the chemist like the old days. He was saying when you
work with services its more often than not their plan,
rather than your plan.
Netherton CommUnity

19. Next Steps
Community has noticed who’s been around and supported and who hasn’t
Community has taken a greater interest in how money is spent locally & believe
they could do some things better and for less money
Community wants to take more control of community assets
Invited Head of Communities at the Council to community space to talk about
learning and to seek support to facilitate a gathering of local institutions
Big Local area so lots of opportunities, and a community that wants a greater say
– participatory budgeting?