We can all improve our community’s capacity to reduce social isolation if we pay attention to five key attributes of healing community.
Download this blog post as a PDF. Feel free to use this guide in your workplace or community.
THE FIVE ATTRIBUTES
1. A feeling of physical and emotional safety.
2. A sense of belonging and purpose.3. An environment of kindness, respect, and open and honest communication.
4. Everyone’s input and participation are valued, welcomed, and appreciated.
5. A strong sense of mutuality: the capacity to offer a sense of relationship with others.
STEP ONE
Using our discussion-generating assessment survey below, gather ‘members’ of your ‘community’ (up to 100 at a time) in an exercise that begins with each person anonymously checking the boxes that reflect their assessment of the five attributes of healing community. Your community can be your neighborhood, family, religious congregation, high school or college, civic or professional association, hospital, or mental health recovery center, etc.
STEP TWO
Average the results (takes 10 minutes) and present them in the group setting to those who have participated.
STEP THREE
Review the results and dialogue about both the positives and the negatives reflected in the assessment. Action planning naturally emerges, because everyone wants more community and less isolation. Implementation often grows out of dialogue. Repeat the process every year to review changes that may have occurred.
ASSESSMENT SURVEY
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NEED HELP?
If your group would like a guided discussion facilitated around this assessment process, please reach out to us. Virgil provides customized facilitation and assistance with action planning for any large or small group.
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