The festive season is officially upon us, and in the spirit of Christmas, we’re working with our friends at Student Minds to focus on all things community throughout the month of December! If you’re looking to get involved in your community this winter, we’ve got some great ideas to get you started. Check out the list below to find out how to get plugged into your community this festive season!

1. Check out what’s on. One of the best ways to get plugged into your community is through getting involved in local events. The holiday season is usually a very busy time for events, so there are always chances to get out and get social! A good place to start is to check out what’s on here at Abodus this winter to give you the chance to get to know the team and other residents at your accommodation. You can also check out what events are on at your university, or if you’d prefer to branch out further into your local community, you can check out what events are on in your city through websites like Eventbrite or even the events section on Facebook.
2. Volunteer. Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to both get involved in and give back to your community. Whether you’re writing greeting cards to your local care home or helping to hand out hot meals at a soup kitchen, there are endless opportunities to get involved in volunteering this festive season. Check out websites such as Volunteer Match, DoIT, and even the Gov.uk website for more information on what volunteer opportunities are available to you.
3. Host a festive fundraiser. This time of year is always a great time to host a fundraiser because it is a time of year when everyone is keen to donate to local charities to help make Christmas a special season for those most in need. The best part about festive fundraisers is that they don’t have to be boring! There are some really fun options like the “Festive 50 Burpee Challenge” for Macmillan Cancer Support, or finding a Santa-themed race and/or fun run in your area to take part in. Whatever you choose to do, you can rest knowing that you are giving back to a good cause all while getting to know others in your community and having a great time!
4. Become an advocate. If giving back to your community through volunteering or fundraisers isn’t quite your thing, why not look into some local causes that you feel passionately about and work alongside others who feel the same to advocate for those causes? This is the perfect time of year to get into advocacy because many causes will be looking for new voices to help spread their message throughout the festive season and heading into the New Year! If you’re looking for advocacy opportunities, check out the volunteer websites previously mentioned in step two, as they are often listed on there. You do not have to link up directly with an organisation to advocate for a cause you care about; you can do it on your own if you so choose. In fact, you probably already are an advocate for them by nature! But if you do feel a little unsure on where to start, check out this video for five steps on how to become an advocate.
5. Take up a hobby. Maybe you’re looking to get to know others in your community in a more social manner, but you prefer routine and consistency rather than attending special events. If this sounds like you, taking up a new hobby might be the perfect match for you! A quick Google search should help you find a crafting, knitting, jewellery making, or book club of interest near you. You could also look at joining a local sports team if you’d like to keep fit whilst staying social. No matter which route you take, you will not be lost for choice when it comes to choosing a hobby, so take your time in choosing exactly what suits you.

If you follow these five steps, you’ll find yourself connected to your local community and those within it in no time at all. However you get plugged in this festive season, be sure to share it with us on Instagram and tag us at @abodus_student_living. Getting involved in your community will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy not just during this cold time of year, but also well into the year ahead!