The Power of Community

I first learnt about the concept of 'community' when I was working with The Good Brand Works, now Goodbrand & Co, an innovative Corporate Social Responsibilty consultancy. The company's working practice was based on 8 specific values and the importance of working as a community of like-minded, committed individuals. Once a month, we would gather for a 'Community Day', where we would reaffirm our passion for our work, and check in with our shared values to ensure we were honouring the principle of working internally and externally within this framework. It was an inspiring time of my life, I had never felt so excited about a job, knowing that I wasn't just earning a living, I was making a difference, whilst at the same time feeling respected, valued and supported as an individual. The community's commitment to our values is still a strong reference point for me, especially when I'm working with clients on exploring and identifying their own core values.

Community will mean something different to everyone, and more often than not, we are part of more than one. A community will give you support, belonging, identity, sometimes a shared identity. I have several different communities in my life. Family, neighbours, The Drawingroom in Chesham, my business network, online networking communities, fellow coaches, the broader community of the town where I have lived most of my life, and I know I could think of others. This morning, I had a fascinating conversation at The Drawingroom with two guys who were meeting face to face for the first time, but who were part of an online community of like-minded souls who had developed a bond of friendship through discussions on subjects close to their hearts. They were off to London to meet the other members of this select group, all of whom would be meeting face to face for the first time. I was quite excited for them! Just from the conversations we had in half an hour, I could tell they were going to have a great time.

I feel very proud of all the communities in my life, and very strengthened by them. Even as I speak, my next-door neighbour on one side is cutting the grass in the garden of my neighbours on the other side. They have moved and are waiting for a new tenant to move in. There is no personal gain in what he is doing, he is just being community-minded. Good karma points! Our front gardens cross into each other, so there is no boundary, and whenever either one of us cuts the grass at the front (usually my neighbour!), we naturally go straight across and cut both sides. This doesn't happen further down the road. Small patches of grass are left overgrown whilst the adjacent patch is trimmed neatly down a measured line between the terraced houses. Not very community-minded, no good karma points for them!

Community is very important for our sense of well being. It is the antidote to lonelines and isolation. I met a girl last week who has moved 47 times in her life and one of the things that she is searching for, yearns for even, is being part of a community. A sense of belonging. This is something my boyfriend would identify with, because his father was in the army and consequently spent his formative years moving from one place to another with little time to feel that deeper sense of belonging. He has now completely turned that around by creating a community space within our town where people can meet for coffee, feel safe, welcomed and known, gather with friends for meals and to listen to live music, and also be a peaceful haven for quiet reflection. It's a wonderful unique place, The Drawingroom, and the heart of it, the essence of the vision, is to contribute to the local community.

I have learnt to appreciate being part of a town community, having at one time wanted to leave it all behind and settle elsewhere. Apart from 4 years at university and a couple of years in Yorkshire, I've lived here since I was 10 years old. Both my fathers grew up here, (for an explanation of this, read my story on my website!), and every now and then I meet someone who grew up with them. I met one such person the other day whilst out walking my dog. He pointed to a tree, which I had previously photographed, which they used to call Old Man's Foot. There is something very comforting about knowing that I'm walking along the same paths which my dads walked and cycled on years ago.

I was delighted to hear that Radio 2 has been running a campaign this week called 'Love Where You Live', which culminates today in street parties being held around the country. There is even one in Leicester Square right now, with live music.

I could write about Community for ages, and tell stories of community spirit. You may have heard on the radio this week about the chaos caused by the fire in Chesham, which gutted the British Legion, a sad loss for part of our community who met there. I've heard that since the fire, they have had offers of help from various local organisations.

I'd love to hear what community means to you. It is something to be celebrated. Leave a comment with your story! Let me know that you've visited! Then I'll know that Spring to Life Musings has a community of its own!