Building companionship through community – #NewYearNewUs
Social disconnection is a growing problem across Britain. Reconnections by Independent Age – a new service launching in 2020 – is working to address this challenge through meaningful and sustained local engagement that doesn’t just provide companionship, it builds community. Tara Rowe, who works on the service, shares some of the Reconnections ethos that can help us all feel better connected.
Do what you love
Being asked ”what are your hobbies?” may make you cringe but the answer to this could be the first step to building more meaningful social connections. Social Identity theory tells us that engaging in activities that resonate with our social identity give us pleasure and satisfaction; but doing things we don’t enjoy, can make us feel even worse. One-size-fits-all services are rarely effective and the traditional activity offering for seniors of bingo, knitting or community singing, may at best make many run a mile, and at worst could be making people feel worse. At Reconnections, we start with a ‘getting to know you’ conversation and shape the plan for reconnection around each individual’s interests, however obscure they may be!
Do good, feel good
Volunteering can be a great way to connect with people of similar interests, and from different backgrounds. Not only are you giving something back, but research reports positive effects on volunteers themselves, including feeling happier, less lonely and gaining a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Whether you sign up with an organisation or cause close to your heart or choose to initiate some local community action, it should be possible to fit in volunteering around a busy schedule. Volunteering with Reconnections is designed to be fun and flexible, whether you want to be matched to a participant or help out at one of our community events. Furthermore, ‘getting helpful and giving back’ is one of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing we encourage our participants to consider that may help them feel better connected.
Do talk to strangers
When did you last meet someone new or start a conversation with a stranger? Deep social relationships are core to human happiness, but small gestures and interactions can make a difference too and help us feel connected to the world around us. Rather than leading our own activities programme, Reconnections prefers instead to link people up to existing places, meet-ups and activities. From time to time, we do run events that are open to the whole community; from a bucket-list biker day or a community dog walk – our goal is to bring a diverse group together, start a conversation and make new connections. Many neighbourhoods have local e-newsletters and social media groups that can tell you what’s going on in your area – my latest one included a ‘Dance Meditate Relax’ night, a creative writing group, and a winter bulb gardening course.
We are all part of the solution
Personal support services like Reconnections cannot offer the whole solution to reducing loneliness. It relies not only on the existence and vibrancy of local services and assets, but importantly on a strength of community, and more of us taking steps to #BeMoreUs.
If you or someone you know would like to get involved with Reconnections or find out more, please head to: www.ReconnectionsLocal.org or contact us at info@ReconnectionsLocal.org.