A community is a group of people who share similar values and beliefs. They interact regularly and care about one another.
Communities can be based on religion, culture, race, gender, age, or hobbies. In fact, most of us participate in multiple communities at once.
1. Sense of Belonging
A sense of belonging in a community is important because it enhances people’s motivation, health, and happiness. It also helps people cope with intensely painful emotions.
It is important to note that feeling a sense of belonging does not just involve being connected to a group, but also to a person’s social identity, which includes their beliefs, values and ideals (Ramsden 2020). Belonging is often an emergent construct that develops from different elements at a particular point in time.
We suggest that belonging emerges from competencies, opportunities, motivations and perceptions. Belonging motivates individuals to seek and find social connections, to resist the loss of these connections, and to seek out and maintain relationships with others. These qualities can be influenced by personality traits, but are not always accounted for by these attributes (Baumeister & Leary 1995).
In addition to the skills needed to connect with and belong to others, it is also necessary for a person to have the ability to perceive their experiences in ways that contribute to a sense of belonging. Having the ability to see others and their experiences as valuable can help someone to maintain a sense of belonging even when they disagree with other people or their ideas.
Developing and maintaining a sense of belonging is an ongoing process for many individuals. It can be difficult to do so when people are feeling isolated or uncomfortable in their environment, but it is essential for human flourishing.
Several studies have demonstrated that people who feel a sense of belonging to a larger community have better mental and physical well-being. Moreover, it is thought that feelings of belonging are associated with greater integration into the host community and increased social integration for newcomers.
2. Opportunity to Learn
Having the opportunity to learn from your fellow students, teachers, and community members is one of the key factors that contributes to improved student engagement and retention. As such, it’s no surprise that the best schools provide students with opportunities to engage in social learning activities and connect with their peers outside of the classroom.
A community is an interdisciplinary group of people who share a common goal or purpose and whose interactions are characterized by trust, mutual respect and the sharing of ideas, knowledge and resources. These characteristics form the foundation for a productive learning environment that supports students to achieve their educational goals and become lifelong learners.
The ability to learn from others is a crucial component in successful learning, and a strong community can help students tap into the wealth of knowledge their peers have accumulated over time. In fact, research has shown that learning in communities can enhance a student’s overall experience and increase their chances of success on their path to graduation and beyond.
For example, the pedagogical concept development of a faculty online learning community (FOLC) meeting is an excellent place to explore the most efficient ways of teaching in the modern world. This is a relatively new pedagogical paradigm that has grown in popularity over the past decade.
The aforementioned taxonomy is based on the principles of complexity science, which seeks to answer the question, “What is the most effective way for an individual to learn?” During a FOLC meeting, each of the participants has the opportunity to participate in dynamic discussions about a specific topic, a process that results in learning by doing. The best part about this process is that it is both collaborative and interactive, allowing participants to learn from each other while improving their collective understanding of a specific subject.
3. Inspiration for Creativity
Inspiration for creativity comes in many forms, and it can come from a variety of sources. It could be from an art class, craft group, band or any other creative activity that brings together a community of people who share the same interests and passions.
Creativity is a process that is highly receptive to the experience of being inspired, and it can often help to spark a new idea or way of thinking. It can also kickstart a sense of curiosity and openness to different perspectives, which can in turn lead to the formation of a fresh perspective or a novel solution to a problem.
Studies show that inspiration is a powerful predictor of the creative outcomes of seminal ideas and products (Thrash et al., 2010b). It can even mediate between the creativity of a seminal idea and the final product in a manner that is consistent with the posited transmission function of inspiration.
Another aspect of inspiration that is often neglected in science but that is an important part of our personal and professional lives, is the ability to be inspired by others. This can be through mentoring, or finding an expert with specific knowledge about a tool or resource you are working with.
Creating communities in which these types of relationships are cultivated can help to make creativity more enjoyable and rewarding. These can include groups that encourage a culture of creativity within the business world, or communities of activists that bring change to the world.
One of the best ways to inspire someone else’s creativity is to believe in them and expect them to succeed. Be willing to listen to their ideas and projects, and then be patient as they work through the difficult times that sometimes come with pursuing them. It is also essential to communicate these expectations clearly and regularly, as this can encourage high levels of performance in the long run.
4. Sense of Safety and Security
A sense of safety and security is important for older people in many ways. The quality of their own home, a safe street or neighbourhood and being able to see who is outside the front door are all things that make them feel safer.
For example, they may have a sense of belonging and pride in their neighborhood, which helps them feel a part of it and encourages them to be involved in the community. They might also have access to services and resources that provide them with assistance.
During the focus group sessions, participants were shown a draft framework on the theme of safety and security (see Appendix A). They were then asked to think about what was important to them in terms of their own sense of safety and security, which aspects they deemed most important for improving, what kind of stakeholders they would like to work with and which options they had to improve their sense of safety and security.
The focus groups took about two hours and were managed by a moderator and a co-moderator. They followed a protocol which dealt with the research questions in a consecutive order and included a guiding question.
The findings of this study show that a holistic approach is necessary when designing solutions to improve the sense of safety and security of older people. Moreover, the solutions and types of stakeholders that are necessary to address safety and security aspects influenced by intentional or negligent acts need a different strategy from those that deal with aspects resulting from unintentional actions. This classification has the benefit of bringing together existing studies and practices in a more structured and coherent manner, while also identifying gaps that may need further attention and research.
5. Support for Individuals
There are many different kinds of support for individuals in a community. This can include social ties, like family and friends, or group support such as in a therapy group or through online communities.
Having a strong support system can help people cope with mental health issues by reducing loneliness and increasing positive emotions. It can also make them feel more empowered and improve their self-esteem and sense of purpose.
It’s important to note that support is a dynamic process that involves giving and receiving information, as well as responding to members’ feelings. This may mean making statements that show your understanding, sympathy and concern, as well as expressing these feelings through your body language (smiling, smiling, eye contact) or touch (hugging, patting).
While this may seem simple enough, it’s important to recognize that support can be difficult for some individuals to offer. This is particularly true for those who are recovering from mental illness or suffering from depression, anxiety or other serious psychological conditions.
When you are in a supportive environment, it’s easy to let down your guard and be vulnerable. You can share your struggles and concerns and get the help you need from others in the group.
In addition, having friends can increase your lifespan and decrease the likelihood of developing stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure or heart problems. This can also give you a better sense of security, helping you feel safer and less fearful of the world around you. Having a community to turn to can make it easier to find the courage and motivation to do things you’ve always wanted to do, and to live your best life.