Coffee Helps

One of the things I’ve noticed since I moved into the parallel universe that is this housing estate, is that, for all the craziness, bitterness, vandalism and chavishness it is normally associated with, there is actually a real sense of community here. Granted, it may not always be the right kind of community spirit at times (think ‘pack mentality’ and you’ll have a fair idea), but the people here really stick together and form strong relationships, for the most part.

The teens fall out all the time. It amuses me to see how conscious decisions are made regarding whether or not A is speaking to B, and for how long she intends to continue with the silent treatment, and whose side everyone else is on. But however ’serious’ the spat has been, you can guarantee that if A gets into trouble, she will call B, and B will be with her in a nanosecond, with hugs, words of support, and no memory of the falling-out. I have witnessed one teen calling another in floods of tears and sobbing “Listen, I know we’re not supposed to be speaking this week, but I really need you…”! That’s all it takes. Once they’re friends, they’re friends for life, it seems. It would take a very serious betrayal to shatter most of these friendships.

I also love how the people here wander in and out of one another’s homes, and call out to each other in the street or stop for a chat over the garden fence. It’s like living on Coronation Street or Albert Square (I was going to add “but without the affairs, fights, explosions, drugs, feuds and dramas”, then realised what I was saying), and it’s comforting. No area is beyond hope when the spark of humanity, community and friendship is glowing as brightly as it does here.

And what’s more, I’ve been welcomed right into the community, from the moment I moved in! That’s something I’m both delighted about and humbled by. I lived in my last house for a year without having a single conversation with any of my neighbours; not because they were rude, but because everyone just did their own thing and kept to themselves. Here, I don’t go through a single day without someone shouting hello across the street, or stopping for a chat in the shop, or knocking on my door to say hi, or asking me in for a coffee when I’m passing their house. It’s not intrusive, but it’s impossible to feel lonely.

I’m starting to look for the positive instead of the negative in the people and situations I encounter. My family think my head’s cut for moving here and I used to think they might be right - now I’m not so sure. I may even disagree!