Whipton - Growing Community in Bennett Square, Widgery Road & Barberry Close

A story about small beginnings, shared spaces, and growing possibility

By Jemima Moore (Whipton Community Builder)

Natalie, who had previously been covering as Whipton’s community builder and is also a resident, had made a few local connections with people interested in planting up the concrete planters on Bennett Square. She had also organised an amazing Little Free Library, funded by an ECC ward grant, and worked with local artist Chloe Farrant, who painted it beautifully.

As she handed over to me, I was keen to see whether more residents might want to get involved, and so we spent some time door-knocking in Bennett Square. Some of the people we spoke to were hesitant. A few worried that any efforts would be vandalised and dismissed it as pointless. Some said they preferred to keep to themselves. But still, a small group of residents decided to see what might grow.

I created a Community Champions WhatsApp group with Natalie and two other women. Sharing this on social media meant that another resident joined soon after, and five of us came together for our first meeting to share ideas — practical things like bulb planting and restoring the planters.

Next, I arranged a walkaround meeting with the Exeter City Council housing team, which the Community Champions and two of the ward councillors joined. We shared ideas like fruit trees, benches, and planters for the green space, and explored what permissions might be needed. Some suggestions, like play equipment, were gently ruled out as unlikely, and there was some uncertainty around who owned certain parts of the land. While it was helpful, it also showed us that making physical changes could take time.

In the background, I continued working to get the Little Free Library installed at Barberry Close. After lots of emails, it was finally put in place — and with it came a turning point. At our next Community Champions meeting, someone suggested a launch celebration. “Like a birthday party,” they said. Everyone lit up at the idea and shared things that they could contribute to make it special.

We made a colourful, invitation-style poster and spent time door-knocking and leafleting nearby streets. More residents joined the group, and the sense of energy and momentum began to grow.

The launch day was something special. There was a giant celebration cake, snacks, and endless cups of tea. Neighbours brought out chairs, mugs, decorations, free plants, books to swap, music and hair braiding. It became a real team effort — spontaneous, generous, and joyful.

Children played with bubbles, hula hoops, chalks, parachute games — meeting each other for the first time, saying things like: “Hi, my name is… I live over there.” Neighbours who had never spoken before started chatting. One resident said: “I’ve lived here nearly four years, and I don’t know any of these people. It’s great to bring people together like this.” She joined the Community Champions group that day, as did many others.

And then the ideas began to flow. We shared the ideas of fruit trees, a bench and planters for the green space. Planters with herbs, wildflowers, fruit bushes and insect hotels were added as ideas. Everyone liked the idea of restoring and replanting the existing planters. A tree in the empty tree guard. A jumble trail. A tabletop sale. Bulb planting at Barberry Close. Christmas advent windows. A nature photography walk. Litter picks. What was striking wasn’t just the number of ideas, but how hopeful they felt — how many people wanted to make their neighbourhood better together, both through physical improvements and community connection.

At one of our early meetings, we sat on the bench in the square and a few residents reflected on how it is often used as a place for drug dealing. They commented that it felt like we were reclaiming the space, making it feel safer and more welcoming — just by being there and using it together.

We now have 16 resident Community Champions — each one helping shape what comes next. The conversation has shifted. It’s no longer about whether something can be done — but what we’ll do next.

We’re now planning monthly meetings, and one suggestion that’s already been firmly embraced is to make the Little Free Library party a yearly tradition, celebrating its birthday each summer — and may it be there for many years to come. Our next steps include a meeting and community litter pick with our new Champions, and a nature photography walk that’s open to everyone.

This really does feel like just the beginning.