How to Enrich Your Community
Create a Peer Support Network
A couple of months ago, I discovered Maven, a social media platform which automatically connects you with people who care about the same things, so you can have conversations which inform, inspire and expand your awareness of the world.
Since then, I’ve been trying to convey to my friends what it means to them, and to the rest of Sheffield and the rest of the world as we make use of this new approach for online connection. We’ve succeeded in bringing over 800 friends into our Love Sheffield Originals group, which is a launch pad and support group for people joining Maven - and we are bringing friends onto Maven gradually from that group of informed friends.
Learning about peers vs audiences.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve enjoyed some events put on by the excellent Festival of Debate, hosted by Opus Independents here in Sheffield. They really are doing outstanding work for people who want to create a positive difference in the world.
The outstanding experiences were a Flourish Cafe workshop hosted by Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley, a zoom launch of Eri’s new book, Human Flourishing - A Conceptual Analysis and a talk by my good friend Simon John Duffy based on his new book Everyday Citizenship.
Most recently, I attended a workshop with Kath Horner, our Love Sheffield Ambassador for Older Friends - the workshop was a Community Builder Training by Protection Approaches.
Throughout all that, I’ve been meeting with Love Sheffield friends every Saturday afternoon at 2pm, at the 1554 Cafe in the Cathedral for a cuppa and a chat. These conversations have been just as inspiring and informative as any formal training or workshop!
So, the upshot of all that, is that I’ve realised more than ever, the common sense wisdom gained from unique life experience we all carry is currently being wasted across Sheffield - because people aren’t getting a chance to share their ideas and energy with people who genuinely care about similar things.
So many ‘organisations’ are trying to serve an audience… which means that a relatively few people are becoming ‘gate keepers’ and ‘librarians’ to collect and publish hopefully useful information. As a £0 creative expression, my aim has never been to be one of those organisations… my aim has been to make it easier for everyone to become more connected on every level, not just with me or who I choose to broadcast to an audience.
Get to the point Brian!
So this is it… how to enrich your community, as an individual or small group of friends trying to create a positive difference - how to get a continuous flow of resources into your community so that we can all flourish.
I guarantee that there are people across Sheffield and in your community, who will care about what you’re trying to do, and have something to bring to help you succeed.
We’re going to help you reach those people quickly and easily, and create new opportunities to help each other through deeper connections and mutual support.
As you know, our purpose is to make Sheffield the most vibrant and connected city, we invite you to join us in creating a Peer Support Network that empowers every individual to make a meaningful difference.
Why a Peer Support Network?
Our core purpose in Love Sheffield is to make it easier for everyone to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the community. Instead of merely managing an audience or coordinating responses, we believe in the power of peer support. By setting up a network where individuals can share their skills, passions, and resources, we can grow a culture of generosity and mutual aid that benefits everyone.
The Vision
Imagine a community where:
Elderly residents enjoy regular wellbeing sessions and supper clubs, reducing isolation and fostering companionship.
Vulnerable groups receive the support they need, from essential items to recovery programs.
Local talents host workshops, share skills, and create vibrant community events.
Families and children have access to toys, educational resources, and enriching activities.
Environmental initiatives flourish, making our city greener and more sustainable.
Sports and recreational activities bring people together, promoting health and unity.
How It Works
Identify Key Areas of Need and Interest: Here are some key areas where we can make a significant impact:
Support for the Elderly
Aid for Vulnerable Groups
Community Activities and Events
Education and Skill Development
Support for Families and Children
Environmental and Health Initiatives
Sports and Recreation
Basic Needs and Support
Peer Support Network Framework:
Maven Platform: Use Maven to create online courses and workshops, led by community members with expertise in various fields.
Mentorship and Training: Establish a mentorship program pairing experienced leaders with new volunteers.
Collaboration Hubs: Set up both virtual and physical spaces for collaboration and idea-sharing.
Implementation Plan:
Discovery and Outreach: Conduct a survey to identify needs and potential leaders.
Development and Launch: Create courses, set up collaboration hubs, and launch the mentorship program.
Activation and Growth: Host launch events, provide ongoing support, and continuously adapt based on feedback.
Example Initiatives
Support for the Elderly: Free weekly wellbeing sessions and supper clubs.
Community Activities: Local festivals, skill-sharing workshops, and pop-up events.
Education: Equine Assisted Learning and youth engagement programs.
Environmental Initiatives: Community gardens and reusable cup washing stations.
Basic Needs: Food and clothing banks.
Get Involved
Your participation and passion are the heart of this network. Here’s how you can contribute:
Lead a Workshop: Share your skills and knowledge by hosting a workshop or course.
Become a Mentor: Guide new volunteers and community leaders.
Collaborate on Projects: Join or initiate community projects that align with your interests.
Provide Feedback: Help us continuously improve by sharing your experiences and ideas.
Together, we can create a community where everyone feels connected, supported, and empowered to make a difference. Let’s unite our hearts and ignite change through the Love Sheffield Peer Support Network.
Join us in this exciting journey to enrich our community!
This is about you and your loved ones, at the heart of our city.
Please join us at the link above, get yourself onto Maven and start talking about things that really matter to you with people who really care.
By focusing on collaboration and peer support, we can transform our individual efforts into a collective force for good. Let’s make Sheffield not just a city, but a thriving community of communities.