In the run-up to HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee we asked neighbours to share a post on Nextdoor about why they wanted to bring their community together for a Big Jubilee Lunch to be in the chance to win £200 as part of our partnership with the Eden Project. We saw an outpouring of neighbours sharing heart-warming stories and genius ideas, here’s Shaba Ali, one of our winners going above and beyond for his community.
Shaba’s family have been in Plaistow for many years, and he has fond memories of growing up in the area with lots of nearby families. Over the years, as everyone grew up and started to move out, the community spirit went with it. Local meeting points such as the play area for children were removed leaving neighbours with a lack of immediate space to build connections.
As a parent governor at the local school, a founding member of the local residents association as well as a member of the Newham community assembly, Shaba decided to change things for the better, using Nextdoor to get the word out.
Over the last year or so, Shaba has created a number of local community events to bring neighbours together and jumped at the chance to organise a Big Jubilee Lunch celebration. He printed flyers, set up a BBQ, cooked food and organised fun activities for all of the community. Creating a welcoming and inclusive local event for neighbours to attend, he furthers Nextdoor’s mission to cultivate a kinder world where everyone has a neighbourhood to rely on.
Nextdoor’s CEO, Sarah Friar, attended Shaba’s neighbourhood event along with some of the team where we asked him what community means to him.
“Community is something to build where people can rely on each other. Where, whatever difficulties that person is going through, they can at least get support and feel connected. It’s when neighbours keep an eye on each other and help where we can.”
We couldn’t agree with you more Shaba, congratulations on winning Nextdoor’s Big Jubilee Lunch competition and long may your community work continue!
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