Date: 20/07/25
Written by Alankrita Singh (Research Fellow, CO-ACTION)
Plymouth Octopus and The Village Hub
Plymouth Octopus is a charity that supports community groups and organisations across Plymouth. It offers practical support such as training, advice, and small funding opportunities, and also creates opportunities for groups to link up and share learning. Their focus is on building connections and strengthening local networks so that community groups can support each other and respond to local needs (Plymouth Octopus, 2024).
One example is The Village Hub in Stoke. It is a community space that grew out of local action during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now run with strong involvement from local people. The Hub hosts activities such as cooking, arts, gardening, and a community larder, while also offering a place for people to meet and connect (The Village Hub, 2024).
I first met Karen Pilkington and Jade Ward at a crochet club in The Village Hub. During my first visit, I did a quick tour of the community larder, I joined the members of the club for a hot drink while they crocheted together. I learnt that Plymouth Octopus were closely involved in local research projects, helping shape questions that mattered to the local community and supporting local groups to apply for funding. At the time, Jade was working on co-creating a yoga-based programme for people in the area living with complex health conditions. I also learnt about their annual ‘Funday’ event and the research village- which got me excited as an opportunity to build community ties and take CO-ACTION to them at their door steps.
Research Village at the Funday
On Sunday 20 July 2025, The Village Hub, together with the NIHR Research Delivery Network, hosted a Research Village as part of their annual Funday. I had the chance to showcase CO-ACTION there, meet local people, and connect with community groups and other researchers. For my stall, I planned some watercolour activities to spark conversations about CO-ACTION and share upcoming opportunities to get involved.
The weather had other ideas, so all the stalls (including the research café) quickly moved indoors. Things started slowly, but by late morning the place was buzzing with games, live music, cakes, hot drinks, and lots of chats. My watercolour activity first drew in children, and soon adults joined too. It felt special to combine my work in research with my love for painting in such a relaxed community setting.
See an overview of the day in this short video.
I spoke with local residents about CO-ACTION and research more generally, and also met other researchers, professionals (like community listeners and the mobile health van), and local VCSE members. The event gave me a better sense of local priorities and challenges around healthcare and research. Most importantly, it gave people a chance to see me, talk with me, make art together, and share what mattered to us. For me, it was about building relationships.
