Is there anything I can do to help the community?
What kind of volunteer opportunities are available?
Have you ever thought about such things?
When I visited the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council for consultation, I received a flyer saying, “There is a forum full of hints for volunteering and community activities, so please come!” and I participated on the day.
What is the "Community Building Forum for Mutual Support"?
In Kurashiki City, we are working towards a community where everyone can live vibrantly and authentically in a familiar place and can thrive as themselves.
The key to this is "community building for mutual support".
- People and people
- People and places to thrive
- People and support
- People and places to belong
- People and information
- Individuals and professionals
- Individuals and businesses
A community that is fully connected = a community that supports each other should have strong community power as a foundation and be resilient in times of disaster.
The "Community Building Forum for Mutual Support" is a gathering to consider together the charm and effectiveness of mutual support activities through lectures and practical presentations.
Hosted by Kurashiki City and the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council, it has been held almost annually since 2016.
In the 2024 fiscal year, it was held on February 22, 2025 (Saturday) at the Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza (Sasaoki, Kurashiki City).
Below is the flyer for the event.
The Day's Events
In the lobby in front of the 5th-floor plaza hall, various activity report panels and flyers calling for participation were displayed.
The overall atmosphere of the venue was very friendly, which was impressive.
Among the participants, many seemed to be already active, chatting with the Life Support Coordinators from the Social Welfare Council in various places around the venue.
Smiles are Fertilizer for the Community
There were two lectures.
The first lecture, "Mutual Support Activities Starting from Familiar Things", was given by Mr. Kuriki Tsuyoshi, the director of motto Hyogo.
His motto is, “If it’s not fun, it’s not a lecture!” and combined with his Kansai dialect, it was a fun talk that kept the audience laughing.
Here are some memorable words he shared.
- In the past, we focused on training specialists. But when disasters occurred, we realized that having many people who know a little is more helpful than having a few specialists during disasters.
- Today I did something good~ I received a thank you from that person, and being able to smile is also a form of volunteer activity.
- Those involved in community activities should not say with humility, “It’s tough, but it can’t be helped,” but should radiate an aura of enjoyment!
If people around think, “That person looks like they’re having fun,” it will increase successors and companions. - Smiles are fertilizer for the community.
Aiming for a Community Where Everyone Can Live "Mixed"
The next lecture, "Mutual Support Activities Expanding from Diverse Collaboration", was given by Okouchi Daihaku, the chief priest of Gansho-ji Temple in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City.
He is opening the temple to the community and is active under the slogan, "Bringing 'another' community-based care to the temple!", aiming for a community where everyone can live "mixed."
The motivation to start this activity came from the thought that, “If the temple is beneficial to the community rather than just a landscape, it might also revitalize the temple.”
What impressed me the most was the "Interaction Program with Local Children and Children Requiring Medical Care".
This initiative is part of a disaster prevention project, and the initial concept was to "provide care for children requiring medical care at a temple during disasters." However, after further consideration, it became clear that caring for children using ventilators and gastrostomy tubes would be impossible without proper medical facilities.
However, Okouchi-san thought, "It's because we don't know the other person that we don't know what to do. If we get to know each other regularly, we can understand what we can do and help."
From this idea, they began initiatives to create opportunities for children requiring medical care, children not requiring it, and local residents to spend time together and meet in a "mixed" environment.
A Volunteer Group Active for 29 Years
Next, two practical presentations were made.
The first was a volunteer group called "Bouquet no Kai", which took a step forward comfortably with familiar companions.
This activity has continued for 29 years, starting with the question of what they could do for the community alongside friends who served as childcare committee members.
The main activity is a monthly "Meal Gathering & Interaction Salon".
It was a natural idea that emerged from discussions among members to "provide the happiness of eating warm food with someone rather than alone."
The secret to their 29 years of continuity was presented cheerfully as follows.
- A standard of not doing what they cannot or do not want to do, along with a spirit of perseverance.
- Mutual recognition and utilizing each person's strengths
Some members are good at menu planning, some at plating, and some at creating a lively atmosphere.
Is a Credit Union Running After-School Care?
The second practical presentation was about corporate activity examples. Tamashima Credit Union was introduced as an organization that is addressing local issues by leveraging its strengths and resources.
The age groups and issues faced by residents vary by region.
Each of the 20 branches independently plans and executes initiatives, and by the end of September 2024, 41 projects had been implemented.
Two examples were introduced from these.
Funao Branch's Marche
In the Funao area, there are no supermarkets, making it inconvenient for the elderly to go shopping.
Therefore, they planned a marche where food vendors could set up in the branch's spacious parking lot.
With regular monthly events, it has now become a community where even younger generations gather.
Hachioji Branch's "Tamashin Summer School"
Hachioji in Kurashiki City is an area with a large number of child-rearing families, but after-school care is closed during the Obon holiday. Parents expressed concerns such as, "I'm worried about leaving my child alone at home because I have to work."
Therefore, they planned, "The credit union doesn't have a holiday during Obon. There is a spacious area on the second floor. If we can take care of the children at Tamashin, parents can go to work with peace of mind."
Children who participated said, "It was fun because the atmosphere was different from usual," and "It was fun because the credit union staff played with us," which received positive feedback.
Life Support Coordinators
Life Support Coordinators were introduced as "specialists who connect people, places, and information."
Life Support Coordinators are assigned to five districts in Kurashiki City, with one in each area and a city-wide coordinator.
At the venue, they deepened interactions with participants by wearing cards with their district names and names written in large letters around their necks.
They are reliable individuals who can provide consultations starting from the stages of wanting to know about activities in their own area, being interested in volunteering, or wanting to help someone in the neighborhood who is in trouble.
Conclusion
The forum provided various hints, inspiration, and energy.
You don't have to worry alone, you don't have to do your best alone, and you don't have to start suddenly by yourself.
It was also shared that if you're wondering, "What should I do?", you can consult with the Life Support Coordinators of the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council.
I have recently started to think, "I will probably live in this town forever." I would like to continue paying attention to community activities and town development.
Articles Related to the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council
Data on the Community Building Forum
| Name | Community Building Forum |
|---|---|
| Date | February 22, 2025 (Saturday) from 1:00 PM to 3:45 PM |
| Location | 180 Sasao, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, inside Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Homepage | Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council |
