When I moved to a new area, I knew I wanted to build more of an offline community - but between the pace of life and the demands of settling in, it wasn’t something I’d yet prioritised. That shifted the day I read about a herd of goats arriving at my local greenspace as part of a conservation effort and mental health initiative. The idea struck a chord - practical, playful, and rooted in care - it felt almost destined. I wandered over to see them, but quickly learned the fencing hadn’t been properly installed to Street Goat’s specification. The goats had already been taken away.

I introduced myself to the project leads and soon found myself, alongside a few neighbours I’d only just met, helping to rebuild it. Together we constructed a new fence - sturdier, larger, and more suited to the landscape. The goats returned, and this time they stayed. What was meant to be a short three-week visit turned into something far longer and more meaningful. The goats became a living landmark, a source of joy and conversation, and - without fanfare - wove a new kind of togetherness into the local community. What began as a land management solution grew into a shared story of connection, care, and unexpected belonging.