Challenge #36 – Creating Places of Belonging

In 2023, the US Surgeon General declared an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. People who suffer from social isolation are more likely to experience emotional and physical illnesses and hospitalization—with an increased morbidity risk comparable to that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Fortunately, this is a health crisis we can solve together—we don’t need to wait for a medical breakthrough to take action.

Coworking spaces are engines for connection. They are beacons for belonging. They are warm, welcoming places people can turn to when they’re not sure where to go to find their people.

Our challenge to you this month: take one of the below actions to make your neighborhood a more connected place.

1. Host a public event that facilitates connection between people who might not otherwise know each other. Example: a “new to town meetup” where folks who have recently moved into the area can learn from local experts where to find great local clubs, spaces, organizations, events, accounts to follow, and more. See an example of this in action here.
2. Distribute information about the loneliness epidemic in person and online, to raise awareness of its health risks and the solutions that are available. Free materials can be found here. 
3. Compile a list of resources available in your city for anyone looking for opportunities to connect more in real life. Make an editable shared doc that is shared with members of your community, so anyone can contribute.

Tag @coworkingIDEA on Instagram to amplify your efforts and the organizations you choose to support.

By creating spaces and programs where people know they can find meaningful connections, you’re playing an important role in re-weaving the cultural fabric of the world around you. Let us know how it goes!

Don’t forget to register for ‘Belonging Happens Here’ on April 2nd, to learn more about how your coworking space can get involved in the Belongfulness Project.