What does it mean to feel part of a community?
Is it the people we know, the places we go, the things we do together or just simply feeling welcome?
As we develop our next strategy, we’ve been thinking about belonging, what it means to people and why it matters to the town.
For some, it may be about having friends and neighbours they can rely on. For others, it may be the opportunity to be listened to or having a place to meet people and feel part of something. It might come from joining a local group, volunteering, taking part in activities. It might be getting to know people on your street.
Why does belonging matter?
Stratford has lots of community groups, organisations and individuals doing fantastic things across the town, but we know that people’s experiences of living here can be very different. Some have strong networks of friends, family and neighbours. Others might feel lonely, disconnected or unsure of how to get involved. Even in a busy town like Stratford with plenty of things happening, people can feel left out or believe that what’s on offer isn’t for them.
Having good, healthy relationships and feeling connected to others can make a real difference to our lives. It makes us happier, more confident and supported, especially when times are difficult. It can also give us shared experiences that help build stronger communities where people look out for each other.
Connection and community
We’re beginning to think about how we can help more people feel connected to their community and have a stronger sense of belonging in Stratford.
We don’t have all the answers, and we know that belonging means different things to different people, so we want to find out what makes people feel included and welcome. Where do you go to find friendship and connection? What issues prevent people from getting involved in their local community? And what can we do together to make Stratford a place where more people feel they belong?
To help us explore this, we’ll be talking with residents, community groups and organisations in our town over the coming months. We’ll share what we’re hearing and invite you to tell us about your experiences to help us shape our work.
And so, we’d like to know, what does belonging mean to you? Maybe it’s knowing your neighbours? Having somewhere to meet people where you feel comfortable or being a part of something? Drop in at our next Tea and Talk session at our Community Hub on Wednesday 18th November, 4-6pm for a friendly chat with the Stratford Town Trust team and others in our community.