Page 5 - C.A.L.L. #31 - Spring 2009

20. In Holland, cohousing groups get state subsidies and account for 10% of the
country’s social housing. And they are starting to take off here [in England]. “It’s not
overly ideological,” Franklin says. “We’re a fairly diverse group, but it achieves a balance.
We all live together, but it is nice to be able to shut your own front door.”

Visiting the Community Project on a sunny summer’s day, it is easy to appreciate the
appeal. The setting is idyllic – the buildings look out over a green valley, narrow paths
wind between rambling undergrowth and abundant vegetation, while three horses in a
paddock swish their tails lazily against the flies. Come teatime, the place is swarming
with children conducting water-gun fights and larking about.

“It’s awesome for kids,” says Jed Novick, 49, a lecturer in journalism who moved here
two years ago with his wife, Gilly Smith, 45, and their two daughters, Ellie, 12, and
Loulou, 9. “They have such freedom and independence here, within safe walls.”

Julian Morgan-Jones, who, with his wife, Lucy, was one of the founding members of the
Community Project, agrees. “Sharing in the stresses and strains of bringing up children
has been fantastic,” he says. “It’s like being part of an extended family – there’s always
someone to pick your kids up from school. You’re never alone.”

For some people, of course, this would be the ultimate nightmare – but the community
spirit that exists here does seem to have discernible benefits. Sarah Berger, a sprightly
64-year-old who is the oldest person in the community, was diagnosed with breast cancer
five years ago and says the response from her neighbours was overwhelming.

“When I came back with the news, within two minutes I had a group of six women in my
sitting room opening the brandy,” she recalls. “There were offers from people to stay
the night, there was a rota to take me to chemotherapy, a rota for bringing me soup – it
was amazing.”

Nancy Winfield moved to Cole Street Farm just over two years ago with her daughter
Vita, 5. Winfield, 42, who works from home as a bookbinder, was attracted by the
“green” aspects of the scheme – and by the fact that is a much easier place to bring up a
child as a single parent. “Being a single mum on your own is quite tough,” she says. “If you
can do it in a community context like Cole Street, it is wonderful – there is a lot of
backup. When I need a car I can borrow one and people always help out.” When we speak,
she is talking on a mobile phone borrowed from another member of the community.

Heeks’s advice for those hoping to follow in his footsteps is to start small. “You need a
fairly focused core group of 8-10 people who communicate well and can keep up the level
of commitment,” he says. “Then you can widen it out and bring in other residents.” You
should also do your research and visit local schemes before starting.

Above all, you need to be able to work well with other people. “There are decisions that
you can’t make as an individual because the whole group needs to be involved,” Heeks
explains. “You need to be reasonably tolerant.”

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