Live, work, share, care: the invisible infrastructure that communities are built on

In our work day-to-day, the team thinks a lot about buildings: about how we make them strong, adaptable and prepared for the future, the materials we build them from and how we heat and fuel them sustainably. When we created the shared home in the derelict space above the bakery we could literally see the difference we were making to the fabric of the place – brick by brick and layer by layer.

But the work of making a community strong, adaptable and sustainable is often far from tangible. You can’t see it obviously or touch it with your hands, and the layers weave deeper than we are even aware of. And these hidden systems, networks and exchanges are what keep communities going – and what keeps us going.

Sometimes these networks become formalised and more visible. We founded Anfield Improvement District as a way for local businesses and organisations to better support each other and make sure the money that’s made here, stays here. And we’re also a key member of Anfield Litter Network, which pools local efforts towards cleaner, cared for streets.

But often these support networks are informal, and invisible: Kitty’s Launderette lending us their space when we really needed it, Caroline’s mum lending her hand knitted scarves as a finishing touch to Jamie Yates’ art exhibition ‘Come Tomorrow Stay Forever’ – lending a hand, lending an hour, lending what you can.

It’s also in how we work together, not just what we do. The relationships, trust, knowledge and agility shared amongst the community – neighbours working shoulder to shoulder around common values and towards a common vision for the place we call home.

It’s in how we make decisions as an organisation (as a member-led organisation each member gets an equal say) and in how we work together as a team to make sure paid staff, volunteers and participants all get what they need. And of course this also means it’s in conflict resolution – what we do and how we respond when things don’t go to plan.

Back in 2021 we commissioned local banner artist Peter Carney to make some pieces in response to our work. Using familiar materials including hi-vis jackets, net curtains and fleecy pyjamas he used the words ‘live, work, care, share’ to summarise his reflections on what our  organisation does, and how we do it.

When many of the top down systems and structures imposed on us make life harder, more inequitable and keep us distanced from each other, these are the invisible systems that actually keep communities going, connect us and make us stronger. 

Living: neighbours coming together around the things that matter.
Working: building local skills, collective decision making, valuing local knowledge and intuition.
Sharing: resources, time and experience; true collaboration.
Caring: building trust, respecting, nurturing, and leading with radical love for our place and the people in it.