Since deciding to bring London Vegan Social to an end, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future of community organising.
What does it look like now, and what does it need to become?
Read more below.
I’ve spent years helping create spaces where people can meet, talk, laugh, and eat together. And I still believe in the value of that more than anything. But lately, I’ve been feeling caught between two worlds. One where I know how good community events are for people, and another where society seems to be drifting away from that kind of connection.
Modern life has turned us inward.
We rely more on technology, on screens and apps and notifications, instead of real-life experiences that bring us together. I don’t think this has happened because people don’t care. I think it’s because the world is changing faster than most of us can keep up with and finding time or energy for in-person connection can feel impossible.
But we need human connection.
We need to speak with each other face to face. It’s how we stay well in our minds and bodies. It’s how we build empathy, solve problems, and feel like we belong somewhere. Online connections aren’t unimportant. They can be life changing, but they don’t replace the benefits of sitting across from someone in the real world.
So I find myself wondering what the future looks like for us as a vegan community. How do we make sure we don’t lose that real-world togetherness? How do we keep creating spaces where people feel welcome, seen, and supported?
I’m still involved in events, like the upcoming fundraising dinner at Unity Diner and my New Year’s Eve party at Karamel in Wood Green. But these are just two nights. Two opportunities out of 365 days a year. We need more.
What else can we do to keep real-world connections alive? How do we make them sustainable for organisers and accessible for everyone? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Maybe together we can imagine what comes next and make sure that in this age of screens and isolation, we don’t forget how good it feels to simply be in a room together.
Comments below!
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