Global Community Engagement Day – 28th January 2022
As humans, we are inherently programmed to exist within a system of communities. Being part of something bigger than ourselves makes us feel less lonely, more accepted and better understood. This is particularly the case for those who operate within groups that have been wrongly marginalised by ‘mainstream’ society over the course of history, such as the LGBTQ+ community. Quite simply, they are vital to our lives.
With this in mind, it may come as a surprise that Global Community Engagement Day is a relatively new addition to the calendar. First observed in 2018, the day was pioneered by Andrew Coulson, a former board member of Engage 2 Act, a not-for-profit organisation committed to progressing the practice of community engagement across the world. Andrew saw no reason why community engagement shouldn’t have its own day of celebration, so endeavoured to create one. As you can see, he did just that.
There’s plenty of things you can do to help celebrate Global Community Engagement Day. Firstly, and most obviously, you can engage with a community! Why not go and volunteer at your local nursing home? Or offer to help out at a homeless shelter? Integrating yourself into a community that you wouldn’t usually be a part of can be incredibly insightful and rewarding.
Alternatively, you can engage with a group of people you already know. You could organise a get together with some friends or family that you haven’t seen for a while, or invite some of your neighbours over for a takeaway and some drinks. At the end of the day, it’s all about forging and strengthening relationships, and that can be done in a multitude of different ways.
Global Community Engagement Day also operates to encourage more businesses to get involved in the local community. Many companies therefore take this opportunity to partner with local charities to help do some good and help those in their area that need it most.
One charity that does brilliant work in its own local community is Fulham Good Neighbours. Founded in 1966, Fulham Good Neighbours provides support for the elderly and disabled residents in the area of the former Metropolitan Borough of Fulham. It aims to enrich the lives of the more isolated members of the community, creating opportunities for them to connect with others, contribute to society and live life to the fullest. The charity operates on the values of trustworthiness, inclusivity, flexibility and proactivity, with the vision of creating an inclusive community where neighbours look out and care for each other.
To donate to Fulham Good Neighbours, or any other charity that means something to you on Global Community Engagement Day, download the Toucan app today. Toucan is the new way to give, providing you with the tools to donate in a highly accessible and flexible manner. Ultimately, the power to be a hero is now in your hands.
