Community spirit shining bright in Bassett

We know that tenants across the city have been stepping forward to help others, including residents in Bassett who have come up with an ingenious way of supporting vulnerable neighbours at this time.

The Leaside Way Residents’ Association has provided local people with red and green cards to display in their windows. Green shows they are okay but a red card in the window means help is needed, for example with collecting shopping or a prescription. Members of the residents’ group also produce and distribute special COVD-19 newsletters containing lots of useful information and advice for local people.

Ray White and Vicky-Lee Egerton are two of the founding members of the Leaside Way Residents’ Association. They say the group was originally established to provide a voice for local people but since the pandemic started it has adapted its activities to offer help and assistance to the community in any way needed. Ray and Vicky-Lee have also volunteered as Covid Champions with the city council and Ray even contributes to briefings with the World Health Organisation to share his experiences of supporting local people during the pandemic.

Vicky-Lee and Ray are proud to support their local neighbourhood, telling us: “We started the association in 2017 to represent the interests of Leaside Way supported housing tenants, as we knew that by coming together with one voice, we would be stronger as a group. Over the years, we have successfully helped to resolve many local issues on behalf of residents.  We’ve also set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and now cover the whole of the Leaside Way Estate.

“Before Covid, the Residents’ Association held regular social activities to bring neighbours together to have fun and keep fit.  We formed a Social Club with Ventnor Court and have close ties with Bassett Green Court and we look forward to a time when these activities can be resumed.”

Vicky-Lee is also one of the local tenants behind Bizzie Bees gardening club.  She says members are eagerly anticipating the time when everyone can come together to enjoy planting and relaxing in the communal outdoor space.  “We know that community gardening and social activities will be especially important for mental health and wellbeing after the gloomy and lonely days of lockdown.”

It is local Southampton people like Ray and Vicky-Lee who are living proof that community spirit is thriving, even in the challenging times of Covid.   

If you would like to say thank you and well done to a local community champion in your council neighbourhood please let us know or post on our Facebook or Twitter. To find out if your local neighbourhood has an active residents’ association or for help and advice to establish a new group in your area just get in touch with our Tenant Engagement Team or call 023 8083 3185.