After being involved in the Bungaroosh group’s activities and gaining a thorough understanding of its goal I wholeheartedly think the project is a noble cause in trying to secure and buy the Cuthbert Pub facility for the use and benefit of the whole local community.

Not only is it what most of the members of the community want it is in fact what they need in the Cuthbert Road/Queens Park surrounding area, that particular area of Brighton is deprived of any real community centre. The next nearest Community centre being in Craven Vale and not being big enough for the wider region outside of Craven Vale.

The challenges of the project are apparent in the spreading awareness of it and having enough engagement in the local neighbourhood and the rest of the city. Which is where me and my fellow course mates came in and had our input as students. We helped come up with ideas and strategies to help the project with its goal. It was very exciting being part of this project and knowing we could give something back to the community and makes us as students feel more involved with our own community.

What stood out for me is the sense of membership and belonging which I think is an essential important outcome of being a community member. I have learnt that community participation is vital in having a say on what direction the local neighbourhood goes in. It was inspiring to think that out of nothing but through the collective energy of the local people at whole there could be in the very near future a place of meeting, sharing, wellbeing, development, safety and nourishment for the surrounding area to benefit.

Jordan Monaghan Volunteered with The Bungaroosh as part of the Community Media Engagement module University of Brighton 15/05/2016