Darren Bagnall from Flat Living Insurance explores community activities for a positive living environment and less resident conflicts.
When you’re managing a residential block of flats, you will inevitably need to mediate a neighbourly dispute or two. It’s almost inevitable, what with neighbours living floor to ceiling and sharing common spaces. But what can you do as the building manager to reduce the likelihood of this community falling out?
The best way is to build a sense of community. Neighbours who get to know their neighbours are far more likely to consider each other’s feelings. They’ll approach each other to discuss any issues before real gripes take hold and give each other some grace for any occasionally un-neighbourly conduct… Ultimately, if your residents know and respect each other, your workload and everyone’s stress levels will be significantly reduced.
Here you can discover ways to foster community in your flats, from online groups to organising face-to-face events.
Community Get Together: Face to Face
There are so many options for encouraging your block’s residents to mingle. The events you choose will need to suit the community you’re supporting. Providing a mixture of events with different age ranges in mind can also work well. Here are a few of our ideas to get the cogs turning:
Regular Social Events
A monthly coffee morning, potluck dinners or game nights. Whatever you think may pull your residents out of their units and down to the common areas. The regularity is key and persevere if things are quiet to begin with.
Celebrations for Special Occasions
Make sure to include multiple religious celebrations as well as non-religious events such as valentine’s day etc. Keep hold of the decorations to use year after year and you’ll keep costs low.
Fitness Classes
If you have the space and the budget, arranging for professional instructors to come in and run regular classes could be great. Even better if a member of the community has these skills and wants to volunteer.
Workshops and Skill-Shares
You could survey the residents to find out what specialised skills or talents are hiding in the block. You may find a handy man, a keen chef, or a crochet queen. Ask anyone who’s happy to lead a session to host a how-to workshop, or you could organise a skill-swap evening.
Support Networks
This can cover mentorship programs to meal-sharing, or a buddy system for new residents. Put the word out and offer private sign ups. Ensure anyone in need of extra help feels they can put their name down.
Guest Speakers
Invite local experts or personalities to give talks or presentations on topics that may be of interest to your residents.
Getting Together: Indirectly
Face to face events aren’t for everyone- you may have some introverted residents who would still like to be involved, or some disabled residents who need to be able to take part online. Online events can also be great for attracting younger audiences. Here are some ideas:
Community Newsletter
Create a monthly or quarterly newsletter, highlighting upcoming events, sharing community news, and featuring profiles of residents. This can be distributed digitally or in print.
Social Media Group
You can set up a social group on social media- this can be a great space for residents to get to know each other, voice concerns, share ideas- and for you to announce upcoming events. You can use Facebook, a WhatsApp group, or a dedicated community app.
Book Club
This could be done face to face but works well as an online option too- residents can choose and read one book per month to then discuss and review. They could get together in person, via video call or via a separate social media group.
Community Challenges
Think ‘best-decorated balcony’ or fitness challenges- anything that residents can do individually to join in with a group effort.
Exhibitions
If you have a talented, crafty crowd, you could set aside space in a common area for residents to display their creations. This could include paintings, drawings, crafts etc and could be for display only or some pieces could be put up for sale.
Community Library
You could set up a small lending library in a communal space for residents to share books, magazines, DVDs, CDs or even toys.
Getting Involved
For those that want to, there are many ways you can invite residents to get involved in the decision-making for the building and in looking after the surrounding area:
Residents’ Association
This group can lead the charge for planning parties and events. Or come up with new ideas to improve the lives of residents. They can act as a first port of call for any complaints. They may be able to resolve some of the less serious concerns while highlighting any that need your attention.
Neighbourhood Watch
You can establish a neighbourhood watch program to enhance security for your block and the surrounding area.
Community Projects
Invite residents to collaborate on projects like a community garden, murals, energy-saving or eco-friendly initiatives, clean-up days etc.
Volunteering Opportunities
You could partner with local charities and invite residents to volunteer their time and skills to support. This can a great boost to their sense of connection and purpose.
Community Fund
You can establish a community fund to support resident initiatives or those who are struggling.
The success of these initiatives often depends on resident engagement and cooperation. You’ll be the best gauge for what may work for your building. Building a sense of community takes time. With persistence and the involvement of Flat Living for all.
Flat Living Insurance provides specialist insurance policies for blocks of flats and apartments. For more information or a quote, please contact a member of the Flat Living Insurance team on 0333 577 2044.
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