Crane Valley Story
Since September 2024 we have been on a journey to uncover the story that sits at the heart of the work we do in the Crane Valley – a story that positions the rivers of the Crane Valley as places to go, be and enjoy in the hearts and minds of those who live nearby; that ties together the rich, varied work we do; and that can act as an anchor for what we do and don’t do.
Working with an external consultancy – Make Work Play – we have identified and developed a narrative to help promote the work that partners and local community groups do and the spaces they care for. This provides a new means to engage funders which can be referenced in Expressions of Interest and grant applications.
‘A River Runs Through Us’ is a story about connection, based on the idea that the ‘the river is a thread that connects people with their natural selves, with each other, with places and with nature. The river also connects animals, plant life and eco-systems’. The heroes of the story are those people who love and care for the rivers and open spaces of the Crane Valley. In all good stories, the hero has a mentor, someone who guides and steers them, and in this story, the mentor is the river itself, acting as a reminder of our interdependence and giving us a gift of beautiful spaces that connect. And the monster (every story must have a monster!) is ‘disconnection’ – disconnection from ourselves, each other, the natural world.
We have recently published a ‘Story Guide’ on the CVP website. This outlines how you can take the Crane Valley Story and use it to help promote the work you do and the spaces you care for. And our new catchment plan uses ‘A River Runs Through Us’ for the title of the strategic objective focused on increasing public awareness, appreciation and participation.
Our aim now is to encourage people to share their own stories about the Crane Valley. You can visit the a_river_runs_through_us Instagram account for story-related content.
The Crane Valley Partnership is hosted by the Crane Valley Community Interest Company
Address
ETNA Community Centre,
13 Rosslyn Road,
Twickenham,
London, TW1 2AR