A Plymouth community came together for a vibrant family fun day, supported by LiveWest and a range of partner organisations.
Now in its fourth year, the event at Foxfield Close welcomed more than 100 people and showcased the strong community spirit that has developed in the neighbourhood.
The day featured face painting, games and activities for all ages, alongside light refreshments. It also provided an opportunity for the LiveWest Housing and Tenancy Sustainment team to speak with residents, gather feedback and explore ideas to further support the community.
Our resident, Tommy Reilly, said: “I really like the event. LiveWest has organised a lot of things, but it’s especially nice to see the community come together and so many people volunteering. It’s great to see all the kids just having fun.
“We all look out for each other. Most of our children go to the same school and they all play together and have fun, which is the main thing.
“For me personally, I didn’t think my daughter would be interested in anything like this, but she’s really come out of her shell. She’s particularly interested in St John Ambulance, which I never expected.”
Activities throughout the day were delivered by several local organisations. Plymouth Scrapstore hosted arts and crafts sessions, Cats Protection representative held a stall with advice and support.
Plymouth Energy Community offered energy advice and the Ocean Conservation Trust attended for the third year, sharing all they can about the ocean on Plymouth’s doorstep. Representatives from the fire service and St John Ambulance also attended.
The event was originally the idea of resident Sid Burgess, who wanted to bring neighbours together. Four years on, the community continues to get behind the event.
Twelve-year-old, Julia, said: “The best thing about today is everyone being together and having a great time. I think the event is a great way to bring people together and make the community a closer place where you can meet people and make new friendships.”
New to this year’s event was Naloxone Advocates Plymouth (NAP), a community project focused on drug harm prevention. The team delivered training sessions, demonstrated how to use naloxone pens, and distributed free kits to help prevent drug-related deaths and improve community safety.
The day was a collaboration between organisations, with advice and support available from the LiveWest team in the community van. Residents also enjoyed pasties, circus skills and games, and entertainment from magician Mr Wishy Washy.
Charlotte Holdsworth, our Community Connector, said: “It’s been a fantastic event and a real joy to be part of. It’s a lovely way to get local children involved during the summer holidays.
“This is all about bringing people together. It makes people feel good and provides a real morale boost. Whilst we’re here, we also take the opportunity to listen to residents and hear what matters to them.
“We’ve built some really strong relationships with the organisations that support our communities, so it’s great to have those professionals here providing expert advice and guidance.”