Visiting Dover BeChange: Connection Through Doing

Visiting Dover BeChange: Connection Through Doing

Today we visited Dover BeChange, where we spent time with the Camerados Public Living Room and the local Men’s Shed. What immediately stood out was how much structure and rhythm the centre has- each day is dedicated to different activities, creating a sense of routine and belonging for the people who attend.

One thing we noticed again and again was the power of activity-led connection. Even if people don’t join in every time, having something to do- crafts, conversation, breakfast clubs, or simply sitting together- creates an easy way to start talking. There were many regulars, and it was clear that these shared activities help build relationships over time.

The regulars set their days at the day that suited them most by activity.

At the Men’s Shed, most members were retired men who were busy fixing, building, and tinkering. The group is built on a simple but effective idea: men often open up more when their hands are busy. While they worked with tools, conversations flowed naturally.

The Camerados team also spoke about how important activities are for creating connection. Their space was warm, vibrant, and welcoming, with arts and crafts happening at the table and plenty of laughter in the room.

What we appreciated was the language people used. They talked about “quirks” and differences in a very human way—without labelling or directly mentioning disability. It created an environment where everyone simply belonged.

Overall, BeChange felt like a community built on kindness, routine, and shared moments. A reminder that sometimes, the simplest activities create the strongest connections.