Taken from our Winter 2014 issue. Subscribe here to have our Spring issue delivered direct to your door.
The word ‘community’ can be understood in two ways; a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. The loveliest feeling of community however must be when both of these things are combined, when the common characteristics are kindness and empathy and it’s something you get to share with those nearby. It creates a feeling of inclusion and safety.
Information published on This Emotional Life noted how important these connections are for our overall happiness. “Relationships create psychological space and safety so that we can explore and learn. When we feel safe and supported, we don’t have to narrow in on survival tasks like responding to danger or finding our next meal. We are able to explore our world, which builds resources for times of stress and adversity.”
In the US, there’s been a number of initiatives within communities to help build these positive, supportive feelings by taking practical steps to help each other out. ‘Community Solutions’ launched a volunteer run campaign called ‘100,000’ homes to help people get housing faster. There’s a lot of paperwork involved in housing people and the process can be long, slow and difficult. So to boost the scheme, teams of volunteers headed out to meet with locals in need of homes and help speed up the assessment and actual housing. The results were brilliant and the positive effects on the new residents numerous. There’s also a group called ‘Buy Nothing’ who help neighbours in local areas find, gift and swap items needed and say part of what they love about it is getting to know their neighbours and learning that everyone has something to give.
Taken from our Winter 2014 issue. Subscribe here to have our Spring issue delivered direct to your door.
