Briefing from Sutton Coldfield NNS - the benefits of joining a group

 


The benefits of joining a group……

Joining a community group, whether in a social or volunteering capacity, can greatly improve a person’s quality of life. Being involved in a community, making social connections, and supporting others results in benefits to the individual and wider community.

Connecting with people socially, whether in person or virtually, enables new relationships and new conversations. As people build these new connections, enriching friendships develop, ideas and interests are shared, and support networks are created.

Joining a group often improves a person’s motivation to become more active. This may simply be by giving someone the incentive to leave the house, or it might be at the heart of the community activity; joining others to go for a walk, playing a game together, attending a dance, visiting a place of interest together or communal gardening for instance. Exercising within the realms of your abilities, makes you feel good.

There is strong evidence that if we keep learning, this will positively impact on our wellbeing.  Social groups and activities, and volunteering roles enable people to continue learning. This might be by trying something new, rediscovering an old hobby, being inspired to research new information or to take on a different responsibility. New challenges can be stimulating and enjoyable, and learning new things can improve confidence.

Giving your time, your friendship or your knowledge and experience can be incredibly powerful in boosting your sense of wellbeing. Community groups are reliant on people giving these gifts, and the rewards benefit the individual and the wider community. By contributing to a social or charitable group, a person is able to see themselves and their happiness linked to the wider community. This can be extremely rewarding and will create connections and enrich the life of the individual.

Part of our role at Sutton Coldfield NNS is to gather ‘Stories of Difference’ – these being anecdotes from, or about, citizens who have experienced the benefits of being part of one of the community groups or organisations that we support. The following are some examples of people’s experiences of either attending a social group, or volunteering for a community activity…

While attending one of the social gatherings held by the Punjabi Seniors Group, we were approached by a gentleman who wanted to share with us how the group had changed his life. He told us that before he joined the group he had had major surgery from which his recovering was slow. As he became less active and more isolated he recognised that he was becoming depressed. He was encouraged to join this social group, and believes it was the best thing he could have done. It gave him the structure and motivation to get out the house and to increase and improve his mobility. He developed new friendships, with whom he could chat, learn, laugh and eat!

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Why does Tony volunteer? – It makes him feel useful! He said that he believes if you have a skill or the ability to do something then you should share it, and help educate younger and older people.  Believing you cannot make a change leads to depression, and not doing anything; but doing small things can make a change for the individuals and help make their lives easier or better.

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When asked about his volunteering role, Mike said “when people say ‘thank you’ there is no better feeling than knowing you have made a difference to a person’s life.”

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‘S’ felt she had lost her purpose when she could no longer work and being a volunteer has filled a gap in her life.  It has also meant she feels part of a team and that she is still able to contribute in a really meaningful way.

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‘V’ is a carer for a family member who has a range of physical and mental health issues. She joined a walking group who helped her make friends and connections which have led to many positive benefits. She was inspired to want to share her positive experience, and so now leads a community walking group herself so that she can provide others with the support she received herself.