Starting a Friendly Community
A Friendly Communities approach can support any initiative that is looking to increase collaboration and achieve inclusiveness; working with more than one group or individual can enhance the opportunities to achieve this in your local street, a group of streets, town or a village.
There are several ways to start a Friendly Community and the approach will vary depending on the issues, local interests and support available in different communities. The questions below set out some of the things you might want to consider to help start a Friendly Community.
Is there a topic, issue or event in the local area that would benefit from wider community involvement? For instance, a community fete, dance or park run could be developed to increase a sense of belonging and improve physical activity and inclusion amongst communities that find it difficult to have a voice (e.g. people and families with autism, over 70s living alone, under 18s with limited opportunities to exercise or meet other people or people with poor mental health).
Are there existing connections in the community? Scouts, Church groups, Age UK, Local Area Coordinators, Dementia cafes, Friendly Bench, coffee mornings, etc. A Friendly community DOES NOT need all these groups, but more extensive connections with people can help to develop empathic and inclusive solutions and a greater sense of cohesion in the community.
Are there any local champions, (known local individuals that are already active in the community)? These individuals are usually committed to support the area where they live and will also know many people in the local area. They can help to make more connections and bring people together (often they are doing that already).
View the full flyer here for more information.
Guide to Friendly Communities of Leicestershire
This guide aims to support communities around Leicestershire to coordinate local initiatives and to contribute to a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive environment.
Download and Read the full guide here: W0729 Friendly Communities – GUIDE TO FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES 01