A Community Researchers Perspective
Blog Written by Sandra Radovanovic
How It All Started
My journey with Belong In Plymouth began unexpectedly Summer 2022, when I bumped into Stuart from POP at a school summer fair. He introduced me to the organisation, and I started following POP events on Eventbrite. That’s where I discovered a two-day training to become a community researcher.
I was curious to learn something new—for myself, for my future. My son has health issues that make full-time office work impossible , I needed to explore potential career paths while managing life as a single parent, with two teenagers, with very different, but equally demanding needs.
Finding My Voice Again
The training reignited something in me and helped me reconnect with my own ambitions. What I loved most about the project was connecting with people— connecting with those I already knew, those I had just met through the swimming community or acting communities and more, it enabled me to discover the thoughts and feelings of people I thought I knew and those I got to know further.
2022 was a year filled with new voices, new stories, and new perspectives. Belong In Plymouth opened the door to understanding people’s concerns, experiences, and history of Plymouth.
Discovering the City Anew
Listening to people’s stories helped me see the city through a new lens—the joys, the challenges, the past, and the present. I learned about Plymouth’s history in the 70s, 80s, up to present day. I even got a glimpse into the Plymouth Argyle football community and the origins of the 'Janner Song'—a whole culture I got to delve in further with the emphasis on community and loneliness.
Building Community Together
What made this journey even more special was bringing others on board. I encouraged people like Slain McGough Davey from WonderZoo, and Lauren of Pillars of Wellness and Wellbeing, who has written her own blog about the project.
It’s grown organically, and I feel proud to have been part of its upper roots and growth and always being the voice of the Community Researchers and the custodian of the wonderful citizens of Plymouth, who shared their stories and experiences that gave shape to this wonderful project.
Together, we collected over 100 conversations —35 of them mine, with the rest from those I helped involve. I also took on the role of community researcher trainer, training others to become community researchers.
A Voice Among Giants
Belong In Plymouth gave a voice to people who might otherwise go unheard. It gave me, a complete layperson, a chance to contribute and to sit alongside major players in the city, including VCSE sector organisations, public health and funders such as The King’s Fund and The National Lottery.
This has been more than a project—it’s been a journey of growth, learning, and greater belonging, within the city of Plymouth, with the privilege of capturing the beautiful stories that shape our city.