Forget flowers and grand romantic gestures, this Valentine’s Day why not do something a bit different? Here are some practical ways you can show your love and support your community.
1. Initiate a community fridge
The community fridge is a public refrigerator where residents can leave any food they don’t use. The idea is to tackle food waste and provide food for those who need it – and there are now 250 across the UK, accordingHubbub Foundation. Mid Surrey Community Fridges was founded in 2017 with a fridge installed in a community center. “If we can divert [food waste] and give it to people who need it, it’s a no brainer,” says Clare Davies, its CEO. To set one up, visit the Hubbub website, talk to local supermarkets and “get out and ask a load of questions,” Davies advises.
2. Start a walking club
A walking club can bring people together, get you and your neighbors out in nature, and give you some exercise. Peaks of Colour was established by Evie Muir, a Peak District-based club for people of colour last year. “We host one walk a month on average about 20-30 people join us for each hike,” Muir says. “We want to be as inclusive as possible, so all the walks are free, and each walk is targeted differently for different needs. We do wheelchair accessible walks and longer and shorter hikes.” It’s all run through a Facebook group and Instagram page.
3. Get involved in local radio
Croydon FM, a self-funded initiative, was started by local residents back in 2018. “We wanted to give people a voice to feel heard and feel creative and express themselves,” says Phoebe Herschdorfer, its station manager. The station now has DJs and hosts from all walks of life. “We have full-time mums, as well as an accountant who does DJing as a side gig, and even a pilot,” Herschdorfer says.
4. Get on a bus in the community
Re4orm was founded by Katie Cavanna in 2019 with inheritance money from her grandmother. She wanted to create a community center that was different so she purchased a large bus and had it renovated to include a kitchen as well as a workshop area and meeting area. “Rather than having a centre stuck in the middle of town, we wanted to do something else,” Cavanna says. Local chefs, Citizens Advice, and other support services are able to hop on the bus and go out to help.
Take over an ex-phone box, such as this one in Devon. It has been transformed into a small nightclub. Image: BT
5. Take over an old telephone box
Many of the UK’s iconic red phone boxes are now serving their communities in unusual ways. More than 1,000 red phone boxes have been used to provide life-saving electric shocks to people suffering from heart attacks. The red boxes are also being used to create community libraries and book exchanges. One Devon phone box was even converted into a small nightclub.
6. Lead a litter picking effort
There is an increasing number of litter pickers cleaning up the UK. “It is obviously good for the environment, but we know it’s really good for us as people too,” Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, told Positive News. Many feel that being involved in the community has helped them feel connected and proud of their community.
7. Share your experiences with your neighbors
Food waste app Olio launched a ‘borrow’ feature last year, so you can now share everyday items like pasta makers and screwdrivers with neighbours. “Most of us have lots of useful items dotted around the house that we barely use,” says Olio CEO Tessa Clarke. “You can now make these items available for your neighbours to borrow for short periods of time.”
8. Help at a food bank
Tooting Community Kitchen trustee and treasurer Ollie Couillaud, where 60 volunteers cook and serve food to the community each month. “We help hundreds of people every week,” he says. “A lot of guests have become friends and we put a smile on their faces just by spending a bit of time listening, having a chat and cooking a bit of food. It doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone’s life.”
Consider joining a local workshop or running. Image: Eddy Klaus
9. Attend local workshops
Workshops can be both beneficial and enjoyable for everyone, whether you are interested in bird watching or painting. Muir began to offer workshops in collaboration with Peaks of Colour. “We collaborate with local facilitators of colour to run workshops such as nature writing, yoga, manifesto building, forest bathing, and sound bathing,” she says. “A lot of members suggest the topics themselves.”
10. Establish a guided exercise class
A community exercise club can help you get fit, improve your mental well-being, and meet other people in your community. For example, you might start a local running group, do regular bike rides with neighbors, or even take part in mental health swims. Here are some ideas that might spark your imagination.
Triple benefits of exercise clubs include improved fitness, socialization with others, and a boost in mental health. Image: Anupam Mahapatra
11. Join a community energy co-op
Local energy production can be run cooperatively, which empowers communities. “People feel a lot more positive about renewable energy if it’s owned by them and they actually have a say as to how it’s done,” says Mark Luntley, non-executive director of the Energy4All family of renewable energy co-ops. Learn more from organizations such as Energy4All, Community Energy England, and Sharenergy.
12. Talk about arts and crafts
Jackie Wells began to offer free walks, arts-and-craft sessions, and fitness classes in May 2021. “The aim is to reduce isolation, improve mental health and get people outside,” she says. “We start off by going for a walk and then we do things like paint rocks, or make birthday cards, and discuss our weeks.”
Her advice for getting started? “Don’t take it personally if loads of people don’t come straight away,” she says. “If just one person turns up and you only help them, that’s enough. You can change so much for just one person.”
Main image: Eugenio Marongiu
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