Hello. Welcome to Our Neighbours, Our Stories! Pictured today is Jigna, the lady that runs the Village Stores in Great Bedwyn.

I started this project on 15 July after feeling disconnected from my family, my friends and my loved ones. I missed how life was when I was growing up in the 00s. I vividly remember meeting local people in Leicester with my Dad as a child. The shop where we bought watch batteries from owned by the Dad of one of my school friends, the multitude of shops, restaurants and community events we visited on Belgrave and Melton Road in Leicester. The delicious vegetable samosas, masala dosa and chilli paneer from Bobby's, Mithaas and New Purnima of Mombasa.

I was born and raised in Leicester. I studied a Social Sciences degree at Aston University in Birmingham, and lived there for six years. After 18 months in London, I realised life in the capital wasn't for me. I struggled to find my people but I still enjoy visiting.

Our Neighbours, Our Stories hopes to remind people of the incidental everyday encounters that can improve someone's day. Simple acts of kindness like opening the door for a stranger, asking a neighbour about their day or simply going for a walk and chatting to someone on the street. These conversations are vital in our lives. To build a friendship. To have a conversation with someone with similar interests.

I have met people during this project that are going through a hard time. They feel alone, they feel isolated as there are no bus services where they live and they feel stuck.

If you are in the area, please do come along and meet me at Bedwyn Baristas this weekend. See the portraits. Read the exhibition magazine. Marvel at the beautiful flowers from Jayne Manley at Sunnyhill Flowers and Bedwyn's Sirron Cottage Flowers. Go on a walk with one of the maps by Bedwyn Footpaths Group. Bedwyn is easily travelled to by train from London Paddington, Reading, Newbury, Hungerford and KIntbury. If you are travelling by car, we are not far from the A4 and the M4. Feel free to follow me on Facebook and Instagram. See you soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.