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Building a Secure And Resilient World: Research and Coordination Hub

Brunswick Comes Together: A Day of Community, Conversation, and Creativity

Written by Vicky Turner, SALIENT Hub and Programme Manager

Three people standing around a table in an outdoor park setting. One wears a yellow hoodie with 'Neighbourhood Health Champions' on the back, another wears a black vest and plaid shorts, and the third, wearing a blue patterned shirt and a lanyard, appears to be engaging with them. A large health-related banner is visible in the background among trees

On Tuesday 29th July, Gartside Gardens in Brunswick, Manchester came alive with the buzz of over 200 local residents gathering for a vibrant community event. Organised by the Brunswick Tenants and Residents Association (BTARA) and supported by S4B (the Specialists for Brunswick consortium, a partnership formed in 2014 to deliver the regeneration of the Brunswick neighbourhood). The day offered a fantastic opportunity for neighbours to connect, celebrate, and take part in a wide range of activities.

This event was part of a year-long series hosted by S4B to mark ten years of regeneration in the Brunswick neighbourhood, a milestone that’s brought visible change and renewed energy to the area.

Zombie Apocalypse Scenario – What Would You Do?

An open cardboard box labeled 'SURVIVAL BOX' with a red cross symbol, containing various items including a plastic container with white candles, a pack of Cook's Matches, a blue metal tin labeled 'FIRST AID CASE,' a purple plastic container, a nack bar, and a whistle and compas.
An open cardboard box labeled 'SURVIVAL BOX' with a red cross symbol, containing various items including a plastic container with white candles, a pack of Cook's Matches, a blue metal tin labeled 'FIRST AID CASE,' a purple cup and a horn.
An open cardboard box labeled 'SURVIVAL BOX' with a red cross symbol, containing various items , a pack of Cook's Matches, some batteries, some brown parcel tape, a torch and some green rope.

SALIENT was delighted to be invited to take part. We ran a stall focused on exploring risk and resilience in the local community, using a playful and thought-provoking activity to spark conversation. Visitors were invited to imagine a scenario where the electricity suddenly goes out, caused, for a bit of fun, by a zombie apocalypse! Faced with this challenge, we asked: what would you do? What are the six items you’d grab to survive?

Visitors to the stand were asked to choose from a range of items on display; from candles and batteries to food, water, and even homework (unsurprisingly, not a top pick among younger attendees!). The activity sparked lively debate and revealed some fascinating insights. For example, younger people were confident the power would return quickly and prioritised phones and chargers, but older people prioritised non-electrical items. In contrast, one attendee visiting from Pakistan, who has worked with people from displaced communities, emphasised the importance of securing documents like passports and ID papers. They suggested keeping these in a watertight, secure, and easily accessible area of the home.  This wasn’t something I had personally considered before, and it definitely gave me pause.

Local Voices on Resilience

We also spoke with residents and people working in, and with the local community, asking the following questions and capturing some of their responses

The word “Resilience” displayed on a scenic background with soft lighting and natural textures, symbolizing strength, adaptability, and calm in the face of challenges

What does resilience mean to you? ‘Bouncing back’/ ‘Adapt & overcome’

What are the barriers/ challenges to resilience planning in your area?  ‘Poverty’/ ‘Cost’/ ‘Culture & language barriers’

Their reflections were thoughtful and gave us plenty to consider in our ongoing work.

It was a brilliant day filled with meaningful conversations, laughter, and learning. We were thrilled to engage with such a wide cross-section of the community and hope we gave them as much food for thought as they gave us.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and look forward to hopefully attending more in the future. A big thank you to BTARA and S4B for making it all happen!

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