Cracking Your Community
Looking for the bridge lift times of Tower Bridge a few years ago, I stumbled across a community website for my very own postcode, London-SE1.co.uk.
It's brilliant for keeping up to date with what is going on in my neighbourhood, but is also a good way to meet new people who are typically not from the same country as me, and most likely in a completely different profession. And since I joined, it's only gotten better - there's hardly a chance to get caught up in work-related chat outside of work, and unlike many other on-line forums, it is not just a virtual community. Whether it is a book club, a stitch and bitch, whiskey tasting, dinner, pub quiz night, or just a couple of drinks, on average a few people will turn up to have a nice time.
In an individualistic society such as London where it can be very difficult to make friends, this is certainly a blessing in disguise. The demise of the local pub and the development of the Internet have had a significant impact on people’s social life - or the lack thereof. Interestingly enough, the forum has become a way to find out which pub to go to on which day.
Unfortunately, there is always a chance that newcomers might not feel comfortable joining in because they are shy, think it is not for them, or just because they don’t like the general tone of voice of particular people on the forum whom they believe will turn up. Very unfortunate. To anyone who has a local community website that also organises social events, I would recommend joining in. Remember, they did not know anyone either when they first joined! I remember the first few meetings I attended. It was like going on a blind date with a mixed bag of people. It was an experience, and as it turned out, a pretty good one.
But no matter how noble the underlying principle to provide a community service, it is also somebody’s business, and one that did not go belly up within a year or two after it started. So what makes this business work where other similar initiatives don’t seem to manage?
Well, I can think of a few reasons, but that goes beyond the fact that if managed well, it’s probably one of the best ways to find your way around your own local area and make a few new friends while you are at it.
In an individualistic society such as London where it can be very difficult to make friends, this is certainly a blessing in disguise. The demise of the local pub and the development of the Internet have had a significant impact on people’s social life - or the lack thereof. Interestingly enough, the forum has become a way to find out which pub to go to on which day.
Unfortunately, there is always a chance that newcomers might not feel comfortable joining in because they are shy, think it is not for them, or just because they don’t like the general tone of voice of particular people on the forum whom they believe will turn up. Very unfortunate. To anyone who has a local community website that also organises social events, I would recommend joining in. Remember, they did not know anyone either when they first joined! I remember the first few meetings I attended. It was like going on a blind date with a mixed bag of people. It was an experience, and as it turned out, a pretty good one.
But no matter how noble the underlying principle to provide a community service, it is also somebody’s business, and one that did not go belly up within a year or two after it started. So what makes this business work where other similar initiatives don’t seem to manage?
Well, I can think of a few reasons, but that goes beyond the fact that if managed well, it’s probably one of the best ways to find your way around your own local area and make a few new friends while you are at it.
Here Is The Writer : Natalie
Natalie works for a bank in the City and has spent significant parts of her working life in the less well-known areas of international finance. Her experience covers a longer period than she cares to admit, and mainly covers Europe and the Gulf Cooperative Countries. Natalie has a strong preference for the colour orange and despite her nationality, prefers to watch Rugby rather than Football.
