Celebrating One Year of Community Action

By Natalie (St James Community Builder)

Today we marked a very special milestone as we celebrated one year together as the St James Community Action Group.

After our rather warm litter pick, we gathered together at the Victoria Inn on Union Road to celebrate our first year as a community action group. It was wonderful to sit together, connect, chat, enjoy cake and a drink, and take a moment to appreciate the people who make this all possible.

Here are just some of the voices from our volunteers:

• “I like making somewhere look good, safer for dogs, cats, and wildlife.”

• “I like the compliments we receive, we're setting a good example to others."

• “It’s good to care for your environment and neighbourhood.”

• “It shouldn’t always be up to the council to do everything."

• “It’s good gentle exercise and good for the soul.”

• “It’s a public service.”

• “You get to see parts of Exeter you haven’t been to before.”

One volunteer shared: “I’ve lived in Exeter a long time, mostly working away. Last June, I started Redcoat Walks, Westbank Walks and Community Walks with Natalie. I didn’t know Devonshire Place Orchard existed.” 

Another reflected on the importance of connection: “I like having Wellbeing Exeter on board, having community builders working with residents together to make St. James a more connected neighbourhood. After COVID, we needed community to recover.”

This past year has shown what can happen when people come together with care, pride, and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, joined us, encouraged us and helped make St James be a cleaner, kinder and more connected neighbourhood.

Here’s to many more years of community action together!