The importance of bringing your community together

The world is more connected than ever before – from a digital point of view. So the process of building communities – coming together with people across cultures to share goals and ideas – is even more important now. But sometimes, those digital barriers are limiting - and it’s just better to get out and share your time with others.

Photograph: iStock

Text: Lyndsay Jensen

One of the best things you can do as an individual who is part of a thriving and growing town or municipality is to take an active role in your community. And yes – that means putting down your phone, leaving the confines of your home, and getting out there to meet and talk with people.

Community events, activities and gatherings are a great way to network, make new friends, nurture long-lasting relationships, and often help other people in your community in a multitude of ways. In the end, you can walk away from a live event with something as simple as a good feeling and a great memory… to something as amazing as a new friendship that can last for years.

Benefits of being part of an engaging community

There are so many positive aspects to being part of a group or community. Providing unique opportunities for people to learn from each other and support and encouragement are invaluable in joining forces with others.

Support: Being part of a community enables us to give support to other members. Being supportive of others will help them to feel good and better about themselves. With so much stress in the busy world we live in, there’s never been a more critical time to help others struggling with their mental and physical wellbeing.

Influence: With community, participation comes empowerment. When people feel empowered, they feel a sense of control, enabling them to influence positive change. Again, it is about making a difference to a group that matters to its members.

Sharing: Can stimulate innovation and growth. Ideas breed new ideas. Apart from having personal benefits of gaining knowledge and insight, sharing also contributes to the community’s greater worth and a feeling of inclusion.

Reinforcement: An effective learning tool to encourage desirable behaviours and provide motivation. A strong community will go beyond the immediate, basic needs and ensure that fulfilment is a positive experience. By doing so, it builds positive rewards and reinforcement for an enjoyable sense of togetherness.

Connection: An open bond with new connections builds valuable relationships and gives us a deeper sense of belonging. It helps us to reach our goals and brings a sense of security.

Resources: Communities are rich in resources. Having knowledge is a unique resource, and through its use, it increases in value.

Passion: Having an outlet for passions gives people the opportunity to share a subject they’re passionate about. This helps to spread confidence and encouragement to create new things that they can share with others.

Being part of a shared space, whether physical or virtual, gives people the chance to be inspired, solve problems, share humour, vent their frustrations and share their achievements. People who stay within a community are the ones that agree passionately with its values, and with these shared beliefs, trust and togetherness, there’s no limit to what they can do for their community. Bringing together like-minded people headed for the same goal undoubtedly, nurtures a rewarding and engaging community.

Welcome September aims to bring such a community together during September and October. In addition, Pg 4-13 has a list of countrywide events, so get out there and enjoy - find your community!

P.S. The International team will have a stand at 3 events: Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg – follow our social media accounts to find out more, and come and say hej!