This is a collaborative post.
Socialising, meeting new people and being part of a community can be beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. If you’ve recently moved house, or you’d like to be more active in the local community and make new friends, here are some simple ways to get involved.
Social media groups
One of the easiest ways to get involved in local community life is to join social media groups. You can search for groups that are dedicated to your town, village or region on apps like Facebook and ask to join. Once you become a member, you can read and interact with posts, find out about events and local news and ask questions. Local groups are an excellent source of information, but they can also help you to meet people in the area and learn more about activities or events you might want to participate in or attend to show your support for good causes or meet like-minded souls.
Image from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/networks-people-users-communication-3017398/
Online communities
Online communities provide an accessible, convenient way to socialise and interact with people who have shared interests and passions. As well as joining groups on social media, you can also look into options like becoming a member of clubs or organisations, or even use a community app to start your own online community. Maybe you’d like to meet other parents in the area, or you want to engage with fans of a TV show or a sports club, for example. You can reach out and make new friends through apps and groups and keep in touch on the go.
Events
Attending events in the local area is an excellent way to get involved in community life and meet new people. Look out for details of upcoming gatherings or celebrations online. You may find that once you know where to look, you’ll discover a steady stream of invitations and adverts for charity fundraisers, events at local schools and colleges and seasonal events, for example, fireworks displays and Christmas activities.
Volunteering and charity work
Volunteering is a brilliant way to become part of a team straight away and support organisations that make a positive difference to local people. There are several ways you can help charities, including volunteering at shops or events, raising money and talking to people about the work that charities do in the area.
Local boards and bodies
If you’re passionate about politics, or you care deeply about what happens in the local community, you may wish to think about joining local boards or bodies, for example, a parents committee at school or the parish council. It’s wise to do some research and find out what the role entails before you take the next step.
Image by https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-women-holding-pen-601170/
The pandemic has strengthened our sense of community, and many people want to be more involved in community life. If you’re keen to be more active and meet new people, take these tips on board. Look for social media groups and online communities, keep up to date with information about events and consider volunteering. You might also wish to think about putting your name in the hat for a place on a local council or school committee.