I have always played a part in my community. Whether that was as a Parish Councillor, Sunday School teacher or Carnival organiser. I have always enjoyed being involved.
As the years have passed I have been involved in numerous fundraising events as well. I have always found myself planning and arranging something.
Recently I have made the decision to step back from it all. Which has been a tough decision to make. Sometimes new blood, a new set of eyes and different experience is what is needed to move with the times. Especially with regards to an event like a village carnival.
So I am beginning to enjoy attending events and enjoying them!
A local place for local people....
So last night my husband and I, along with the two little ones, my best friend and her family and my dad attended the local village hall, a five minute walk down the road. It has a small bar - which is well stocked to suit everyone's taste, a suitable kitchen, stage and comfy seats. We took part in a quiz night with a chip supper. Do you know what, it was such a lovely evening. The hall was full, there was such a lovely atmosphere - a little competitive, nonetheless everyone was in good spirits.
The kids had taken some colouring books for their entertainment and to be fair they behaved impeccably.
It wasn't until the walk home that I realised the importance of the evening.
Community spirit
It was wonderful to see such a mix of people from the area, don't get me wrong the hamblet I live in is pretty rural and everyone pretty much knows everyone, but to see them come together to enjoy an evening was lovely. As we left the hall we walked up with our neighbours from over the road, we frequently chat over the garden gate and exchange Christmas cards, but to walk home with them just chatting was wonderful, talking about long walks they could do and their trip to centre parcs with family. It made me realise how grateful I am. To be part of something unique, to live in such a beautiful place, where neighbours are friends. An ideal bumpkin place to live
Distant memory
Rewind to lockdown in 2020, when the prime minister told us to stay at home. It was like the universe knew, the clouds parted and we enjoyed weeks of blue skies empty of planes, we discovered our gardens again and appreciated the little things. We would talk to neighbours over the fence, see them out clapping for the NHS, out walking for an hour each day. We had to look out for each other and with many people not in work the only people we saw were our neighbours. What is now sad is the fact that many of us have reverted right back to pre-pandemic times. We commute, work, come home, eat then sleep. Weekends are consumed with housework and family time, we barely get chance to see anyone.
Being part of something
I have always played a part within something. Growing up my Step-Dad was a manager of a local football team, every Saturday I would go with him to watch, after the game we would have food, play games and often come home late. We belonged. As I grew older and met my first husband, he too played football so I spent a lot of time supporting him, both on and off the pitch. My eldest children also came to watch and meet up with their friends. We all belonged. Now with my little two, they are part of a girls football team who train and play every week, the parents on the sidelines supporting. We all belong. I think it is so important for a child to feel they belong. That they have other children to share a vested interest with. Whether that be a sport, a choir or dance troop. The fact that they have others to support and for support reminds them that they are not alone, they are not isolated. This is so important, not just for children but for adults.
The impact of isolation
Last year the world health organisation designated loneliness as a 'global public health concern' and that it is as bad for peoples' health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Let that sink in - given all the health issues caused by smoking - loneliness is worse. It wasn't until walking home last night that I thought about the people who are isolated and perhaps don't belong. The social media trolls, people who live alone people with disabilities who can't get out. The resentment they must feel towards people, the anger and frustration that being alone can cause. Walking back last night, reflecting on the lovely evening I had had gave me that fuzzy warm feeling inside that I had been part of something special. It may only have been a quiz night chip supper but it was only us there. It took me back to all the times in my life that I had taken part in something with others, a three legged pub crawl for 6 miles, 3 peaks challenge or an all night vigil in a church. All of those experiences gave me a unique sense of belonging. Doing something with others that only you have experienced together gives you an extraordinary feeling.
So please, if ever you are feeling isolated and alone I implore you to go out and belong to something, whether its a coffee morning or a walking group, a mother and toddler group or just a one off event. Go and be part of something. You will be surprised by the joy it will bring you.
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