Getting your mind, attitude and outlook aligned so you can immerse yourself in an approach that most people will tell you won’t work or is too hard is why we created the ReThink Community.

Believe us. It’s not impossible. That is what this blog lays out for you, it delves inside the community and what you’ll get out of it so you can be 100% in or out…

The community to help create “Your Community”

We have a tried and tested process of bringing together people interested in cohousing, a resident-led intentional community. 

When you arrive at joining, there will likely be doubts about how to make it. That’s natural. The house-building process is a minefield of complexity, and one you won’t want to approach alone. We break it down. We will help you explore what you need to know in the correct order, and the time saved by doing this will be one of the most valuable decisions of your life. 

You might even decide all this is not for you and go and buy/rent another home. That is priceless.

One step at a time, starts with you.

First thing first, you have to spend time on yourself. You have to explore yourself, then your household and the lives you currently live and compare them to how it could be if you got what you wanted or needed. 

Sounds easy! But it’s not, because what questions do you ask yourself? What problems are you experiencing that can be changed or made better? 

Let’s find the others that think like you

Once you’ve spent time looking at the problems and solutions out there, you have to be sure you find others in the same boat as you. 

The strength drawn from those like you will help you to keep going and support one another in some of the more wobbly phases when creating, building and owning homes together. 

Think of these steps like a dating service. First, we bring you together for the first date by profiling your wants, needs and purpose. Then, by providing places to meet and get to know each other, you can work out whether you go on the second and third dates! Then you might start a relationship. 

In terms of what we do, we know it will cut out time-wasting and even more so getting to an advanced stage and realising the people around you aren’t the right fit.

So, why join the ReThink Community? What will you get?

• A feeling of togetherness, it’s essential to be connected and more than just an online community; we support and help members create in-person meet-ups.
• Q&A sessions with the experts who bring our process to life, the professionals. Those who design, plan and build a sustainable living solution with a foundation in One Planet Living principles.
• We lead live workshops and training for you as a member to support you in creating your community. 
• Added value content + resources, like legal, financial and marketing support. Proven solutions that aren’t conventional but much more human. They exist. You don’t know it yet.
• Mini Courses, checklists and worksheets help simplify your journey and achieve your goals more quickly. But most importantly will help you connect and engage with others in the Community.
• Once you’ve joined, we help you create your blueprint for your home, including location, which starts fueling our land search.
• And the cherry on the cake — Exclusive access to land opportunities. Without this, the rest is a fruitless exercise and will drain away energy.

You have access to a private online Community where you and we can share stories and inspire each other’s journey. When we take care of ourselves first, everything else falls into place effortlessly! 

So if you’re looking for a safe place where like-minded people can connect & learn together, then this is it.

Online & In person

Online Community is everywhere now, and we spend a lot of time in groups on social media or other virtual spaces with people who share our likes and interests. 

But in-person meet-ups also work well; they are crucial to your success in working out who you would or wouldn’t want to live with in the future! The meet-ups allow strong bonds to be formed.

We also work with a network of community organisations to help you find locations to meet and local ambassadors who support the meet-ups to run smoothly. They can be as formal or informal as you like.

Live Q&A sessions

Live Q&A sessions are a great way to connect with experts in the field and learn more about their work. You’ll get inspired by the professionals who can make all this a reality. They also dream of creating resident-led communities. They are tired of the same old churned out. You are their energy. You can submit questions before, during, or after the event. 

These regular rituals will highlight and go through the ten principles of One Planet Living, showing real-life solutions in action.

Co-Create- community workshops

These sessions focus on the principles of Community and how you want yours to look, feel and operate. There are many working parts to bringing a group of people together. We will address these from our own experiences and those living this way. 

Here’s how:

• Participation is essential, but you can only truly participate if your voice is heard and taken seriously. We show you how and provide the tools and expertise to learn and implement this approach. This means you make decisions together and therefore don’t waste time.

• It’s essential to know and understand how to run your meetings. As a part of the ongoing learning, we support anyone who wants the opportunity to get experience by facilitating some of the sessions, We’re there to support this and co-facilitate. 

Why might this community not be for you?

If you’re actually quite happy where you live and how you live, then it’s unlikely you’ll get much from the community. 

You don’t like challenging yourself or changing much, if it sounds like too much effort it’s not for you.

You’re prepared to put up with what you have as you feel like it would be hard work, you certainly need to commit to doing something, we take away the tough tasks and professional work, but you still need to show up. So if that’s too much, you won’t get anything from the community.

Join our community!

The mainstay of any online community is a place where you can share your story and learn new ideas from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the move.  Our community spaces have both access via desktop or mobile browsers and an app.

Everything we’ve discussed starts with a free online community. This can rise to £15 a month if you choose to learn and get access to the professional support needed to bring these projects to life.

If you go a bit further, then there are other costs associated with designing and building homes – but we deal with all of this in the ReThink Community. We also have opportunities for those looking at co-living – an alternative to HMOs.

We work hard on helping those conversations flow with simple guidelines so you know what to post about and how to engage and find your people, and we’re there every step of the way. 

We promise to be present, engage and support every step of the way. We are a community of people who are passionate about learning and doing. We have a track record of helping people learn new things. 

1. Learn more about yourself through our Better Places to Live Quiz. 
2. Then, complete one of our upcoming Bootcamps or Challenges and consume some of our blogs before you jump in. 
3. We’ve also got a Buyer’s Guide, which contrasts and compares how you can achieve this resident-led approach to house building, so no stone is left unturned.

If you do all this, we can be sure you’ll hit the ground running and be ready to take action when that perfect piece of land surfaces.

The foundation to real success in the quickest time possible is your mindset and belief there is another way.

So be in the game, contribute to making this happen, and start now!

Join the ReThink Community now

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In the heart of every community, there are stories of resilience, unity, and transformation. These stories often go unnoticed, yet they are the threads that weave the fabric of our society. At A Fairer Society, we believe in the power of these stories and the impact of micro grants in fostering local community connections.

Ayeeyo & Awoowo: Fostering Community Wellbeing

In the Somali Elderly community, a simple gathering became a beacon of hope and unity. Ayeeyo & Awoowo, with the help of a micro grant from A Fairer Society, organised a heartwarming meet-up designed to promote mental health and wellbeing. The event was a resounding success, with delicious food, great company, and an atmosphere of unity and support. This story is a testament to how small grants can have a profound impact on local communities.

Eastville Warm + Welcome Space: A Haven of Support and Camaraderie

The Eastville Warm + Welcome Space is another example of how a micro grant can transform a community. The grant allowed the group to purchase food items for their lunch meals, creating a space where everything is ‘free’ of cost. This approach fostered a richer connection with everyone, creating a space of no judgement and no monetary requirements. The impact of this initiative was far-reaching, with participants reporting the importance of meeting people in their communities and having a warm space to visit.

Rebecca Oregan: Beautifying Streets and Fostering Community Spirit

Rebecca Oregan used her micro grant to beautify her street and foster a sense of community among her neighbours. She purchased mainly second-hand pots and new plants, sparking renewed discussions about gardening and planting for pollinators. The initiative not only lifted the street’s aesthetics but also raised awareness about the importance of front gardens and recycling.

Ridgeway Road: Building Stronger Communities

Ridgeway Road’s story is a testament to the power of community. Their micro grant was used to purchase plants, compost, paintbrushes, and new 20mph signs. The event brought together residents from approximately 20 households, with around 15 children free to play together in the street. The feedback from neighbours and kids has been overwhelmingly positive, with lots of demand to do it again!

School Uniform: Saving Money and Reducing Waste

The School Uniform project used their micro grant to buy plastic storage boxes for their used school uniform collection. This initiative not only saved uniforms from going to waste but also saved parents money. The project is a great example of how small grants can make a big difference in local communities.

Conclusion

These heartwarming stories highlight the power of micro grants in fostering local community connections. They show that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference, creating a ripple effect of positive change in our communities.

At A Fairer Society, we believe in the power of community and the impact of small actions. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a fairer society. See what difference you could make in your community, follow A Fairer Society. #AFairerSociety #CommunityImpact

Why not take our 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

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Since its inception in Denmark, cohousing has spread globally, and today there are more than 2,000 communities worldwide. Living in a community with shared facilities can appeal to many people, but it is not for everyone. So as you read this, imagine yourself and consider whether cohousing would be a good fit for you and your lifestyle.

In the last few years, cohousing has become increasingly popular.

Cohousing has been around for a long time, but it’s still new to many. It’s a movement growing and becoming more popular in Europe and is already well recognised in North America as a housing choice. For those who choose it, however, the benefits are well worth it—especially for those who want an active community where they can grow as individuals and families while maintaining their privacy and independence.

There is no single way of defining what cohousing is.

First things first, it is NOT a commune. Communes grew during the 1960s and ’70s; people shared everything and loved it! The sharing elements are undoubtedly available in cohousing, but you have your home and front door to choose when to be present and active. 

There is no single way of defining what cohousing is. It can be a type of community, an intentional community, a residential development or a housing type (or all four). However, the term generally refers to any group committed to owning their own homes but sharing common facilities and resources.

The common thread seems to be ‘intentionality’.

Cohousing residents often say that cohousing is about “intentionality”. They refer to the quality of the relationships formed by living in close quarters with a group of people who share a common interest or purpose in the community. They define what that means by having a shared vision for how to live together.

This intentionality is an agreement (e.g., by signing a contract or covenant). The more important aspect is that members understand what they’re committing themselves to—and this understanding may change over time as new experiences are had by those involved. That comes into how you work together and govern yourselves as a community.

In the words of one experienced cohouser: “It is about building a community of like-minded people who know each other and welcome visitors.”

But getting to this point doesn’t happen overnight. Cohousing communities take time to build and develop their sense of community. 

I found that when it comes down to living together, we share the same fundamental goals:

• Self-determination and dignity for all residents
• Being accountable for our decisions through mutual support
• Working together toward a shared vision
• Having respect for diversity (including age differences)

These things comprise what is known as “the Cohousing Spirit.”

The thing to keep in mind is it isn’t just about the architecture. It’s not just an attractive design or a novel concept, but it’s also about building community. You see, you need to have people who move into your space for cohousing to work.

Cohousing may not be for everyone—there are many reasons why someone might not want to live this way—but if you’re considering it at all and wondering how much work it will take. 

People must put in the effort required to be part of this community structure.

Cohousing Experiences

1. Getting Started

Depending on your situation, you may find that cohousing is an impractical option. For example, it’s not something your family can afford unless everyone works together and contributes financially. But if you’re willing to put in a lot of hard work, this is one way to create affordable housing in an area where land is expensive and renting options are limited.

We recommend talking to other people who have lived in cohousing communities before deciding whether or not it’s right for you!

For many, it was an exhausting process of trying to find the right community and house. It also took a lot of time for people to find their place in cohousing and how they fit into the community.

It wasn’t just about finding a home or friends; it was about finding your purpose in life by being part of something larger than yourself. For others, this realisation came much later—sometimes only after years of living together as community members!

2. Decision-making processes

The importance of compromise.

Intentional communities & cohousing is a human-scaled way of living, and this means that there are times when residents may have to compromise with each other. Compromising can be difficult for some people, but it’s part of being in cohousing because you’re sharing resources with others and working together towards common goals. Cohousers learn how best practices like composting and recycling work so they can incorporate them into their daily lives without impacting their neighbours’ enjoyment of living at home.

Being willing to change your mind:

Because everyone has different needs and desires within the same space, there will inevitably be disagreements, especially when trying something new; however, these experiences help create stronger bonds among neighbours.

3. Neighbours and Sharing Resources

Cohousing is a great way to get to know your neighbours. You see them daily, and they become like extended family. Cohousing is an outward-looking approach. Working with and understanding the wider community is essential. They can participate in regular events and sometimes even go on trips together.

Many cohousers speak about how important it is for people to share resources, especially cooking ingredients or help with the kids, or support if feeling unwell, anxious or lonely.

“An essential aspect for many residents is interacting with neighbours and sharing some activities.”

In cohousing, you will be sharing a common space with your neighbours. It is important to remember that there is always the potential for conflict and disagreements in this kind of living situation. However, by being mindful of your actions and trying to get along with others, it is possible to ensure that you live in harmony with everyone around you.

4. Visiting other Communities? How long does it take to feel at home?

Residents who move into cohousing communities are often eager to meet other residents and have an opportunity to learn more about the community. However, some feel intimidated by the prospect of visiting a new cohousing community because they fear that they won’t fit in or that they won’t feel comfortable.

One way to overcome such fears is by visiting before signing on as a resident. After all, its community and getting on with and aligning with the vision is 100% necessary. In addition, vice Versa, cohousing groups need to believe and feel optimistic about you or anyone entering their community.

After moving in, your next step is to get involved with all aspects of life at your new home—from joining committees and attending meetings to helping with cooking and sharing meals. Even doing some chores, Some people find this challenging at first but soon realise how fun it can be for everyone involved when we share responsibilities equally within our own four walls (literally).

Conclusion

You now know the basics of cohousing and what it means to be part of a community like this. It isn’t a hippy commune! Or a house share. But a more simple way of living. You need less space for private use because you have more common areas to be with your neighbours, family, or friends. 

Your neighbours align with you and how you want to live because they share the same purpose and vision. Ideally, this creates a harmonious way of living, and you get a support network of people around you. It is a true win-win.

It might not seem like something you would be interested in, but we hope this article has given you some insight into what life is like in one of these intentional communities. 

If you’re still unsure whether cohousing is right for you, then perhaps you can read the Better Places to Live buyer’s guide. Then, seeing how intentional communities could be for you, you’ll get a good flavour of what we have done. We want more people to live this way, without the pressure of having to create it themselves.

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

Take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

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The post Living in Intentional Communities: Exploring Cohousing appeared first on A Fairer Society.

We are living in a society that dreams of wealth and success. We want to be rich, famous, and successful to live our best life. But the quest for this is damaging our society. So are we living lives or just working to live?

Work to live, or live to work?

There is a difference between working to live and living to work. Work and life are very different, and we must recognize the distinction. One shouldn’t be instead of the other; however, many people feel as though they have no choice but to choose one or the other. The cost of living and pressures on us demand it.

Work-life balance is a topic that comes up frequently in conversations at work or among friends because we all want to enjoy our lives and find meaning in what we do every day. And while this may seem like an easy thing to do—we can’t just go home after work and switch off! So how do you ensure there’s still room for enjoyment within its structure (or even outside of it)? Take care of yourself first, then worry about how much money you’ll make later. Easier said than done; I hear you say.

Working too hard means missing out on other essential areas of life

If you’re spending all of your time working, it means that you’re not happy. If you don’t enjoy your job, this will likely affect how hard you work. On the other hand, if you are exhausted and overworked, then it is likely that this will also affect the quality of work that employees do.

If people feel like they have no control over their lives, they are more likely to feel depressed and stressed out with no control over their circumstances (even if those circumstances weren’t ideal).

We all need to take a step back from our careers sometimes; otherwise, we run the risk of burning out entirely or feeling resentful towards our colleagues and employers. Or worse, our family and loved ones.

Not everyone can afford to take time off

Not everyone can take time off. While it’s easy for those with high-paid jobs that allow for travel and flexibility, many people cannot afford to take a week off from work and get away from it. 

Travelling is expensive, especially if you’re taking kids with you or have other financial obligations such as a mortgage or family members who depend on your income. Some people also have chronic illnesses or disabilities that limit their ability to travel long distances without difficulty.

There are also people without savings accounts; they don’t want to spend money on something frivolous when there are bills to pay and food on the table.

Enjoying life doesn’t have to be expensive

Many of us have forgotten how to enjoy life in a world where we are busy working to live. We think that to enjoy our life, we need to spend money. But this is not the case! Unfortunately, this is the society we see around us on social media. 

Instead of buying things, we should focus on building memories and experiences with our loved ones. Have fun in nature or start new hobbies. These activities will bring you closer as a family and make for great stories later in life when you look back at them together.

Sometimes the only solution is to make a change

All of the above is well and good, but what if you cannot leave your job? What if it’s taking a toll on your health, time with family and friends, or happiness? Then you must find a different solution; spending time in nature won’t cut it.

Sometimes we need to do something drastic to fix our problems. Sometimes we need to make changes for other parts of our life (like our career or the place we live) to improve or even stay afloat. For example, if you have a job that is causing anxiety or stress because of its demands on your time and energy, then maybe it’s time for some self-care by finding another position that allows for more balance between work responsibilities and personal obligations. Perhaps when you come home from work, your neighbourhood brings even more stress. Noisy neighbours or miles away from family and friends. These pressures will get you more focused on the job you hate.

What’s essential in life?

Many of us have a very mundane everyday life. Most days, when you leave the house, you go to work and then come home again. Spend most evenings and weekends in front of a screen, and it doesn’t have to be that way! It could change where you live or work, and it’s a choice.

We all value things in our lives more than money or fame: family, friends, and health are just some of them. We also have hobbies that make us happy, maybe even creative outlets through which we express ourselves spatially (art) or verbally (music).

We enjoy travel because it broadens our minds and helps us connect with other cultures and learn about new places and people worldwide – whether travelling alone or on holiday with friends or family members; whatever works best for everyone involved!

Work-life balance is essential when it comes down to living well, but sometimes balancing all these things together is difficult, especially if work takes up so much time during weekdays. In contrast, weekends should be time to relax at home, with downtime together without distractions! However, without working hard firstly, we can’t afford to live, never mind the fun, so both feel like they need each other equally for quality living conditions throughout life’s stages. This is the broken system we can’t escape.

Conclusion

What a complicated topic, and I don’t claim to have all the answers. However, I know that we need to find a balance between work and life. If you feel your job is taking over everything else in your life, then maybe it’s time to make some significant changes. 

But also, how can your home life be improved with small or subtle changes by the people you have around your community or neighbourhood? Maybe, it’s something an intentional community can bring you. 

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

Take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

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You must feel there is a better, more resilient, healthier way to live. And there are lots of people already doing it or working towards this life. 

The 24-hour rolling news cycle, aided by social media, means we are constantly distracted by a new crisis. Each situation creates more division as everyone has an opinion on the news, on our social feeds, at work, and in the coffee shop. Housing problems, energy prices, toxic workplaces, isolation, and loneliness are all around us. Unfortunately, a lot of this is hidden. Especially if your life is fast-paced, working hard or surviving.

The systems we rely on run by government and business, the ones we look to for support, or guidance, are not helping most of us anymore. You can think you’re doing okay, but when you peel back a few layers, things can suddenly get a bit shaky. So most of us pretend not to notice or ignore the realities and do our best to live as best we can. 

Can our systems be fixed?

Solving these complex, systemic, and, frankly, scary crises is not an easy task for anyone. Just look at those in power who seem to be the causes of some of these issues! 

Who is on our side; me, you and our neighbours, friends and family? It all gets too political, and there is a feeling or sense of inaction. The powers that be circle the real issues when it seems obvious or doable to do the right thing. Our opinion is that capitalism has gone too far, and the fairer way of doing things is to own it together, hold the problems and come up with the solutions. 

Build more energy-efficient homes, generate on-site renewable energy, focus on connected communities (not car-dominated housing estates), and foster ways for people to live, work and play in their neighbourhoods by creating more green or amenity spaces. That is a way to go for us; as a starting point, it’s what we are working for, daily. 

Still, this approach seems radical when you see it in the news and on social media.

We have seen that positive actions seem like a nuisance or an inconvenience to those who have the power to create them as part of their housing, energy or community strategies in government and business. It’s left to people to pick up the pieces and try them themselves.

So, what brought you to our community? 

Are you looking to…

1. Join a movement toward better places to live
2. Create or become part of a thriving community
3. Introduce sociocracy in the workplace
4. All of the above!

Why do we think this is the time and place?

A Fairer Society began with our desire to do something about housing choices. But that grew into workplaces and communities because of what we found and now know. They are all connected. And, they are all reliant on you, your neighbours and me – it’s a collective ‘we’. 

We live in houses, go to the shops, work in the factories, offices, or public services, and we are members of our community – whether that’s hobbies, spiritual activity, sports, arts or social. It’s us that prop up the whole of society. 

Everything is connected, happiness, health, economy, culture, community, land, nature, food, transport, consumption and how we govern ourselves all rely on one or the other in some way or form. So that’s why we must take back control. Politics is failing us, whatever colour your party is. 

But, we must take back control collectively, cooperatively and with the planet in mind. Not in a toxic way. It’s time for healthy power.

What is needed is a way to live in a community, a place or location that suits your life, so you can do your bit to live this way. We need to unshackle the old ways and believe we can design and build a life, whatever stage we are at, to fit our identity. Some of us might have lost that identity for many reasons, which is why we think capitalism has gone too far. It plays the game for something other than social, environmental and personal identity. We’ve forgotten how to be part of our tribe and neighbourhood – we’re too busy or disconnected from those around us.

If you could get all your neighbours to meet up and talk about some of these issues in your local neighbourhood, everyone would have their own opinion, and small clusters of you would care about the same things. Others wouldn’t. But it is proven that a stable connection dilutes the division – it balances the conversation. We don’t believe everyone should think the same. Hell NO! That would be a terrible, unfair, society. We need to learn how to listen again. Listen and talk without thinking we have to be correct; we’re all guilty in some way, shape or form. 

What do we do before it’s too late? Your next step…

A Fairer Society creates the containers, groups or whatever you want to call them to help you connect, and then we provide you with the tools to get the job done. 

First, make a difference in what matters to you – at home, work or in your community. So connecting and joining in at some level is your next step. And you’ve made headway by reading this blog. 

We know it is not possible to get there in a short time. So slow and steady with real purpose for where we want to go. That is the name of our game and has to be yours too.

Imagine everything was marginally Fairer, Better, Healthier. You’d notice the changes immediately. 

Our way is to copy what works in business, but we use new ideas, technologies, and skills and put them in your hands, so you can healthily govern yourselves. Learn more about it here: https://afairersociety.com/co-op-homes-the-heartward-way/

Not much will change in your day-to-day life by working alone. However, working together and with us will change things for the better. You will feel valued and loved and have a voice in what matters to you, so it is owned and controlled by you.

That’s A Fairer Society. That’s us, you and everyone together.

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

Take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

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• LinkedIn
• YouTube

The post How can you live in A Fairer Society? Well, it just got a lot easier. appeared first on A Fairer Society.