Although we aren’t alone by any means – the UK has a population of around 67 million – community events allow us to feel as though we belong to a group. They can be a source of support, happiness and a great way to meet like-minded people.
What The Experts Say
The importance of community has been widely reported. From social scientists to local organisations, they consistently remind us of the benefits of belonging to a community. So what are they?
Wellbeing People, an organisation dedicated to using transformational wellbeing services to save lives and empower people, state the following benefits:
- Support
- Influence
- Sharing
- Reinforcement
- Connection
- Learning/Resources
- Passion
Similarly, a Forbes article about building communities states that communities are great for overall wellbeing, shared purpose and resilience.
What’s more, communities are perfect tools for social change. Through these groups people with shared values can mobilise. As we all know, there is strength in numbers.
The Benefits of Community Events
We’ve covered the basics of why communities are important but what are the benefits of community events?
From my experiences community events bring out the best in people. It’s where I’ve seen people at their happiest and most caring.
I grew up in a town called Luton in south-east England, and still live there. Luton is home to very strong and vibrant communities. Every so often there will be large community events occurring in the town’s parks and communal spaces. Back in May there was a community event in one of the town’s parks, called Inspire Eid, to celebrate Eid al-fitr which drew in thousands of people. Luton Today describe the event’s goals as the following:
The event’s ethos is about providing an affordable Eid celebration and featured heavily discounted funfair rides, free family activities, international food and live stage performances.
This is an example of an event which tries to bridge gaps between the community. Being unable to afford days-out and expensive meals may result in some families not celebrating important events such as Eid al-fitr in the way that they would like to. By running events like Inspire Eid, Luton’s Muslim community is able to celebrate together without money being a concern. In turn, this can help to strengthen the sense of cohesion and solidarity within the community.
Communities can also help to shield people from discrimination from the outside world. People with shared experiences can lean on one another for support and safety. Merely days ago, on 4 September, community organisation Pride In Luton held The Big Gay Family Picnic in one of the town’s public spaces. It was a free event for the town’s LGBTQ+ community and allies to meet each other and have an enjoyable afternoon out.
Some of the attendees had very positive things to share about the event:
In Conclusion…
As has been demonstrated above, there are several benefits to reap from community events.
A sense of belonging and support are benefits which can be seen across all community events. Depending on the event type, they can even help connect members of a community who simultaneously belong to other social groups. For instance, Inspire Eid’s affordability means that the separations that income and social status produce are reduced as everyone is invited and encouraged to join in.
In essence, community events are about bringing people together and reminding them that there are many others who share the same values.