One of our newer experiments to bring people into our community hub at 82 Grimsby Road was to set up a Camerados ‘Public Living Room’ this year.
Camerados is an international movement to bring people together in a casual, friendly, no agenda format meeting to start conversations and engage people.
So, VANEL has been trialling this and we’ve established our ‘living room’ at 82 Grimsby Road (with comfy chairs, teapot at the ready and kettle on) every second Wednesday of the month from 10am – 12noon.
Anyone is welcome to just pop in for a chat, a brew and a biscuit. We’re particularly interested in meeting new people from our community, but anyone is welcome. And within our hectic days, the beauty of Camerados is that it doesn’t have to be about a topic or a theme or have a purpose – other than to connect people for a chat and to see what happens.
There’s always someone in the building at 82 Grimsby Road on these dates and there’s regularly been people sat together and enjoying the conversation. If you’ve ever met the ladies or chaps who are involved with our current groups in the Red Shed then you’ll know how much chatting goes on anyway! Of course we’d like to see more people, but if you’re passing and want a break, come in and see us.
Any questions, speak to Liz who has set our group up.
We particularly like the six Camerados principles which keep the meetings free from agenda:
It’s okay to be a bit rubbish
Don’t fix just be alongside
To be silly is to be human
Mix with folk not like you
We can disagree respectfully
Ask someone who is struggling to help you
We’ve had great support from the Camerados team and who have supplied us with various materials for the group (including the tea pot!). There’s very few of these Camerados groups around North East Lincolnshire at the moment and we also wanted to be a showcase and test bed for Camerados to help other venues and groups (especially in rural areas) set them up. (Again, speak to Liz or Karl for more information on establishing groups).
Pop in and see us if you want a chat!
Learn a bit more on Camerados website here.
Read their latest e-newsletter
Read their e-zine (we have printed copies at the office)
