Lambourn played host to Nick Gardham, Chief Executive of Community Organisers, at the Memorial Hall yesterday, where members of the community gathered to discuss how grassroots action can drive positive change in the village.
Community Organisers is a national body that trains and supports individuals to listen, connect, and take collective action to improve their local communities. The organisation promotes active listening and empowers residents to mobilise around shared concerns, fostering a culture of participation and collaboration.
During the meeting, community representatives introduced Nick to Lambourn’s diverse local initiatives. These included The Lambourn Junction Food Bank, which supports over 60 families weekly with essential groceries, and The Lambourn Youth Junction, a thriving youth club attended by over 50 young people each week. Also highlighted were The Lambourn Lunch Club, which provides free weekly meals for vulnerable residents, The Lambourn Shed, a social space for hands-on skills and wellbeing, and The Lambourn Community Bus, which offers vital transport services, particularly for those without access to a car. Other projects such as the Friendship Café, Lambourn Environmental Group, and Lambourn Volunteers demonstrated the village’s commitment to community-led support.
Adrian presented a series of statistics based on official government data, revealing that Lambourn lags behind the wider West Berkshire area in key indicators such as education, health, training, and overall wellbeing. The figures underscored the need for targeted community efforts to bridge these gaps.
Nick shared insights into how Community Organisers and Sovereign Network Group (SNG) are working to train community organisers to facilitate grassroots action. He discussed strategies for mobilising local residents to tackle shared concerns, strengthening engagement, and improving the overall quality of life. A key theme was the idea of a Community Action Hub to coordinate local efforts.
“It’s about listening and empowering the community.” said Nick “When communities work together, the possibilities for positive change are endless. Community organising is the work of bringing people together to take action around their common concerns and overcome social injustice.”
Through the Community Organisers Network, Lambourn can connect to other places in England to share ideas and best practice.
The event concluded with a sense of enthusiasm, as attendees left inspired and motivated to take the next steps in the Community Organisers engagement. The collaboration between Lambourn and Community Organisers supported by SNG marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards greater local empowerment and social impact.
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