Building connections into community life

Networks have a role in building connections into community life, both for the network as a whole and for individuals.

Why is connection to community life needed?

Lack of community connection is often a feature of the lives of people with disabilities – service systems now provide support that may have been offered by the community in the past, people experience isolation because of their disability, and they may not be able to easily access places and opportunities in the community, among many other issues. The value of community connection for everyone is inarguable – people who are well-connected are healthier and happier and have much more opportunity to lead rich, meaningful lives. Community connectedness is a strong driver for peer support networks to exist, and may even be an explicit part of your network’s value proposition and purpose. Time and energy dedicated to building connections into community life will be of great benefit to the network and its members.

Claiming the place of the network

Because network members may not have much experience of a life well-connected to community, this may consequently become a feature of a peer support network. It’s important to be conscious of this possibility and take action to change it, or ensure it does not happen. A vital part of this action is ensuring that the network sees itself as a valuable, contributing part of its community.

Be explicit about the value of the network to the community as well as its members. The value proposition you create when starting the network offers a great opportunity for this. Do your research, and think together with others about how your community will be better off if network members are connected.

Always talk about the network (internally and externally) as valuable for the community. It can be tempting to focus only on the benefits for members, but if you and your members don’t know and express the value of the network to the whole community, others won’t either. Communities that include and have high levels of interactions with people with disabilities offer richer, more diverse lives for everyone.

.pdfinally, a belief that people are experts in their own lives and experiences, and have inherent value, can give you and your network members a clear offering to community – you have a place, you have valuable expertise, and you can participate and contribute. This attitude will shift people’s thinking from a ‘welfare’ or ‘charity’ idea to valuing your network for what it offers, and it will increase member’s confidence at the same time. Claim your place in your community!

 Finding opportunities to build connections into community life

Get out there, be seen and heard, offer solutions, partner with people. Here are some ideas:

•  Know each other: Everyone has gifts, strengths and interests that are a great basis for connection. Your network meetings could include a process of capturing what these are for each member, so members can always be on the lookout for opportunities for their fellow members.

• Invite people in: Showing you value others experience and expertise by inviting them to speak and share at network meetings will offer an opportunity to meet them, and to build positive connections to people in different parts of your community.

• Tell the network’s story: Take every opportunity to let people know about the network – marketing, local newspaper and TV stories, speaking at service club meetings, having a stall at local expos and festivals, sharing celebrations, and any other opportunity to be seen and heard will build the visibility of your network, and if you talk about the value of the network to community, not just its members, you will be seen as having high value in your community.

• Contribute: Offer the expertise of network members to advisory groups, committees, forums, other network meetings. Search out opportunities to be part of decision making and conversations in your community. Make sure members are supported to know their topic, and to represent the network positively.

• Acknowledge supporters: Get to know your supporters, and have conversations with them. Offer supporters the use of your network logo in their own marketing, visit their business or service and mention your appreciation of their support for the network, send them your newsletter.

• Ask for help and advice: People love to be asked for help and advice – it is a great way to build mutual respect and relationship. Ask people to mentor group members, to support them in getting to meetings, to speak at meetings, to offer donations. Acknowledge every gesture of support.

• Speak up: When you hear about an issue in your community that would benefit from hearing the voices of network members, speak up – call the local radio station, write a letter to the editor, visit politicians, attend community meetings. Showing the value of your network is the best way to ensure it is valued.

• Connect people: Use your contact lists, and supporters network to make introductions. Is someone looking for a job and one of your network members has one to offer? Is another person selling tickets to a fundraiser and you have members who would love to attend? Is one of the leaders you know looking for an opportunity to mentor someone? Is a supporting business looking for new customers that could come from your network?

• Form partnerships: Connection is best built on a basis of common interest. Say you know someone who is a local human rights campaigner – get them to come along and speak at your meeting, and discuss how you can partner on campaigns. Or you have heard of a local young person who is learning app development and wants a project to work on – you could invite them to connect with a young member of your network to think about an app that would make that person’s life better, and maybe share some of their skills and interests with them too. Knowing your members gifts and interests will help you and others make great connections.

• Share the opportunities: Make sure that it is not just one person who is benefiting – look for opportunities which honour the gifts and strengths of every member, and support them to contribute and connect.

Useful links and resources:

A publication on building connection: http://rtc.umn.edu/docs/Friends_Connecting_people_with_disabilities_and_community_members.pdf

The Centre of Excellence for Peer Support (mental health) has some great resources for peer support networks: http://www.peersupportvic.org/index.php/2014-12-15-22-42-49/2014-12-16-02-22-27/Resources/

Co-authored by Queenslanders with Disability (QDN)

The information on this page is also available as a downloadable Quick Guide, by clicking below. There are.pdf and word versions.