Working the community spirit

After analysing how young people’s work situation affects the relationship they have with their neighbourhoods in a negative way, here’s the second half of the analysis which looks at how it impacts on them in a more positive way.

As Rhiannon discovered in her journey to Granda, for many young people, their work situation forces them to live, leave or create and this trinity is very much reflected in the people across Europe we have interviewed.

It’s refreshing that there are people whose work situation makes them really feel excited about their neighbourhood. Less refreshing is that only one in twenty feel this way! Some love their neighbourhood, their “neighbours love what I am doing and are interested and not at all harsh if I make noise or something like that because of my job”.

For a similar proportion, their work situation makes them want to help build community projects. These are our Lifestyle Hackers. Through the amount of free time they have will influence how much time they can get to know their neighbours and even help build community projects.

Indeed, they do want to “see more people. more homes, more councils growing their own food and salads. I have now started my own blog about it to help people in the area.”. In Spain, “groups of unemployed youth came together to create a cultural centre which would host concerts, art exhibitions, English lessons, communal meals and political discussions”. While in Romania, they create a social market to exchange food, skills and relationships.

Organisations like the Ministry of Entrepreneurship “help young people help others get out of deprivation. Deprivation isn’t just in your environment but of your mindset. We want to help people live a life less ordinary by teaching a man or woman to fish for themselves.” This can be difficult at first when young people “always try to make an effort to get to know neighbours and help with neighbourly tasks. I feel I am alone most of the time doing this though”.

Helping with projects in the community helps people “feel responsible too, help with food. I get more involved in their lives, helping out, giving a hand (they are over 80 years old).

We’ll be showcasing Making a Living across different cities in our festival, including in London (12-13 & 19-20 October) & Amsterdam (19-20 October). Click on one of the tabs to get involved!