- I am interested in community support activities.
- I want to do something for the community, but I don't know where to go.
This is good news for such individuals, groups, and companies.
An event called "Community Support Forum", aimed at a wide range of ages and organizations who think "I want to participate in support activities" or "What are support activities?" will be held on August 24, 2025 (Sunday).
We interviewed Chihou Yamamoto from the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council about the forum's content and the thoughts behind its planning.
What is the "2025 Community Support Forum"?
The "Community Support Forum" is a gathering to consider the charm and effectiveness of support activities together through lectures and practical presentations.
It has been held almost annually since 2016, organized by Kurashiki City and the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council.
The 2025 forum will be held on August 24 (Sunday) at the Plaza Hall on the 5th floor of the Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza (Sasaochi, Kurashiki City).
The theme is "Building a Kind Town Together - A Form of Support Across Generations".
In the first part, there will be a keynote speech by Masahiro Ikeda, the chairman of the National Community Life Support Center (hereinafter referred to as "CLC").
CLC is an organization based in Miyagi Prefecture, which experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, and aims to realize a community where "everyone can continue to live normally in the community, regardless of age or disability".
- Community supporters = limited people
- Community supporters = too much burden and impossible
Such things are not true. The roles and forms of activity are diverse, and they energize not only the community but also oneself.
The accumulation of small daily actions that energize both the community and oneself.
He will talk clearly about the triggers and connections related to that.
The second part will be practical presentations.
"Koto Kita East Kitchen," which operates a children's cafeteria in the Kojima area, and "Sho District Ranger Team," which conducts collaborative activities with elementary schools in the Sho area, will present.
Both are practices closely related to multi-generational families, including those raising children.
There are four ways to apply, but on-site participation is also possible.
- Phone: 086-434-3301
- Fax: 086-434-3357
- Email: yamamoto@kurashikisyakyo.or.jp
- Online application
Interview with a Life Support Coordinator
The second person from the right in the bottom row is Chihou Yamamoto (Photo provided by Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council)
We spoke with Chihou Yamamoto, a life support coordinator from the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council, who is involved in the planning and operation of the 2025 Community Support Forum.
What kind of event is the "Community Support Forum"?
Yamamoto (no honorifics)
It is a forum where people who want to participate in community building and support activities can hear lectures and practical presentations that serve as a "first step."
This time, registration will start at 12:30 PM, one hour before the start time.
At the venue, we plan to display various activity panels from the community and show videos summarizing actual support activities.
We have set aside ample time before the start, so we hope participants will come to see various practical activities and look for fields or organizations they would like to get involved with.
Last year (2024) it was held at the end of the fiscal year, but this year (2025) it will be held in the summer.
Yamamoto
Until last year, we held district forums for each area, and as a summary, we held a city-wide forum at the end of the fiscal year.
This year, we plan to hold the city-wide forum that used to be held at the end of the fiscal year in the summer, and after autumn, we want to hold thematic gatherings.
We want to make it a time to think more concretely about local support activities and to think together.
What kind of people do you want to participate?
Yamamoto
Since it is a "first step," we have prepared various contents.
For those who want to participate in support activities, I think the panel displays and practical presentations will be helpful, and for those who are currently active, learning about what other organizations are doing and being able to interact with people who are actually active will be a good stimulus.
I also want corporations and organizations that want to connect with those engaged in support activities to participate. We welcome panel displays from companies that want to connect with the community, so please feel free to reach out.
Additionally, there will be practical presentations on children's cafeterias and collaborative activities with elementary schools. As a life support coordinator, I often receive questions about how schools can connect with the community, so I hope school officials can also refer to the practical presentations.
What do you want participants to feel?
Yamamoto
"Support" is one of the things that anyone can naturally engage in within their daily lives. There may already be people involved in "support" in their everyday lives without realizing it.
I hope they become aware of that.
Also, both practical presentations are related to children.
I hope that those raising children, stakeholders, and community members can find hints on how to connect with the community together with children.
The Plaza Hall at the venue also has a parent-child room.
If needed, please inform the reception on the day of the event.
Please give a message to the readers.
Yamamoto
As it has been hot lately, we will have air conditioning at the venue and look forward to welcoming all participants.
Please feel free to come to the venue.
Conclusion
Kurashiki is large, so I believe sharing activities by region is indeed important.
However, because it is large, it can also be said that many organizations are engaged in similar activities.
The Community Support Forum, which can be held in Kurashiki City, where there are many options to choose from organizations that engage in activities similar to ours or activities of interest.
The Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza is designated as a "cooling shelter" during this extreme heat, and since the Plaza Hall also has a parent-child room, why not visit as a family to kick off new activities at the end of summer vacation?
Articles related to the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council
Data for the R7 Annual Community Building Forum
| Name | R7 Annual Community Building Forum |
|---|---|
| Date | August 24, 2025 (Sun) 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Registration starts at 12:30 PM) |
| Location | 180 Sasao, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Homepage | Community Building Forum |
