Community spirit is so important
Many of us have been watching with increasing horror at the loss of life at Grenfell in London last week.
What seemingly began as a manageable fire tore through the building with devastating speed and terrible consequences, engulfing the entire structure in flames.
The most recent numbers of those missing are truly horrific, and the numbers dead will surely only climb as investigations continue.
For anyone watching the news in the early hours of the morning of June 14, it was clear that the fire was going to be a truly tragic event for those in the building.
In the morning – and days after – it has become clear that the community have rallied together to fight for those affected by the fire, and for their own communities for whom such a tragedy is a real and present risk.
In fact, the community response to the tragedy has seemed to outstrip that of local authority and central government leadership.
People have come together not just because they want to, but because they have had to.
With numbers of the missing and unaccounted-for rising, and the chain of decisions that led to the fire’s swift and devastating spread not yet known, people are rightly angry.
They are angry not only for the many deaths at Grenfell, but also for a situation in which poorer communities are increasingly marginalized.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the lesser-reported injustices of poverty, poor housing and homelessness that happen every day up and down the UK.
The community spirit around Grenfell has been matched at other terrible events in recent months – with tragedies in both London and Manchester seeing local communities coming together to support each other through challenging times.
We can be proud of these reactions, and hopeful for our own communities when we see the latent goodwill and sense of humanity that rises to the surface after these tragedies, and we should look to foster this spirit in our everyday lives as well.
Community spirit is perhaps most valued at times of crisis, but it can have an equally positive – or even greater - impact when we exercise it as a habit.
We can each help our communities by getting involved, helping local initiatives and getting to know our neighbours.
When local communities put on fantastic events such as Landemer Day and Summerfest, it’s more than just a fun day out, or a boost to local businesses, these events create and maintain our sense of community and help build personal relationships.
When we have a strong connection with our area and those around us, we are more likely to give help when we can, receive help when we need it, and more likely to stand up for ourselves and our neighbours.
And in recent weeks, we have seen the power communities can have when they stand up to give help to those who need it most.
These events create and maintain our sense of community