Today, the spotlight in our series ‘Meet the CLT’ falls on Jemma Cosgrove, one of our newest board members – but historically an active CLT member and local resident.
“Hi, I’m Jemma and I’m a married, full-time mum with two young children – and a bulldog puppy! I’ve lived in Anfield all my life and have worked in a variety of jobs – from school administrator, to working in Walton Hospital, to singing and being a make-up artist. I’ve always felt safe and comfortable growing up in Anfield & my friendly neighbours keep me here; I live in a multicultural street which includes Greek, Syrian and Spanish neighbours – and I know that I could knock on any one of my neighbours’ doors for help if I needed it and help would be given. The essence of Anfield IS the genuinely lovely people who live here – and now, through Homebaked, there’s a bit of hope for where we live. I feel that local people ARE wanting to stay in the area. I also hope that local business people will see what Homebaked is doing and want to stay here and help develop the area too.
When I saw the bakery being revived, I knew I HAD to be involved. (I remember going to the bakery when I was 10 or 11 and buying a bag of meringues for 30p!) There had been nothing in the area then for older and younger people and this felt like a bit of a lifesaver for the community – exciting and wonderful – and I got involved with some of the projects. The Design Team for the terrace let us be creative and to swap opinions and ideas in a non-judgemental way: nothing was ever wrong – and to design something that was actually going to be there felt inspiring & refreshing. It was a real team effort!
As a new CLT board member, my own particular interest is in mental health, and also in intergenerational work – bringing young and older people together in the community. I feel that Homebaked is a little bit of Heaven in Anfield and I would love the terrace to thrive and be a community space, full of life and greenery!”
