People of Hastings & St Leonards
Liz Coleman
This week Kathryn Sutter spoke to Liz Coleman, a St Leonards resident and member of the Hastings and Rother Interfaith Forum.
I moved to Hastings in 1990 from Hackney, born in Maidstone, brought up in Winchester. I originally trained as an art teacher, then a careers advisor. I loved the industrial visits to factories (think Willy Wonka) and really loved helping young people find work they could enjoy and be good at. Eventually I trained as a social worker and pursued my passion in mental health. I got a job at Uckfield Community Mental Health Team where patients joined us for BBQs and made beverages themselves in our shared kitchen; I took early retirement in 2011. While working I became involved in shared lives schemes for mental health, a kind of ‘adult fostering’ service. I enjoyed introducing those living with me to the lovely, emotionally safe people that visited my house; letting them know their strengths and promoting their independence.
I want my home to be a meeting place for diverse cultures. Since 1995 I have, on behalf of the Hastings Bahá’ís, facilitated a monthly mind-mapped meeting where people of different beliefs meet (now on zoom) to discuss a subject of shared interest. It’s a microcosm of how I want the world to be – open, co-operative. Before covid I would have parties with a different theme for each floor (it’s a 4-storey terrace!).
I have been part of the Bahá’í faith since 1977. It teaches the worth of all religions and to appreciate the diversity of life. I am their local representative on the Hastings and Rother Interfaith Forum. This forum promotes community cohesion through dialogue and co-operation between people of different faiths, or no faith. In 2009 we ran our first ‘Garden Full of Cultural Delights’ in St Leonards Gardens, and we are back this year after a break for covid. The event has a gentle fête-like feel with stalls, food and performances. This year we have local dance troupes including Chinese dancers as well as gymnasts and musicians.
I love living in St Leonards. When I arrived in 1990 it felt up and coming – it took its time! It’s both bohemian and artsy, but not trendy (I fear it’s going that way though); it’s friendly and edgy. I like that we’ve got a mosque that welcomes both Sunnis and Shia. However, I don’t think our public services are properly funded. There is a lack of affordable housing, with benefits not covering market rates. We need much more money invested in community work, the kind that enables us to embrace diversity and be valued for our different strengths. Often it is the passionate retired volunteer who does such community building as youngsters are too busy working. Research shows such an investment will ultimately benefit our physical and mental health.
Beyond these experiences I have trained in person-centred art therapy and reflexology. I enjoy crochet but more free form. I love dancing, but nothing formal – I have moderate dyslexia that would make me a very poor ballroom dancing partner! I love watching the world go by with an oat milk latte and a friend. I also practise photography as it helps us appreciate what is under our noses. I adore my small motor home, Dad (sadly not with us) called it VanDos. Hopefully I will continue my happy relationship with St Leonards for many more years.
• To find out more about the ‘Garden Full of Cultural Delights’ event on 7 August and Hastings and Rother Interfaith Forum visit hastingsandrotherinterfaith.com
Read more in the series:
Simone Gosling, Manager of Bear’s House Nursery
Irina Lazareva, the force behind Sunshine Cafe
Kate Rosie, owner of Teddy Tinker’s
Millie Rowland, CEO of Boathouse Arts and founder of ‘Millie’s Nightclub’
Father David Hill, Rector of St John’s Church, Pevensey Road
Mike and Sue Shaw of Shaws Hair Stylists
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