At Bridges for Communities, we’re deeply aware of the concern and fear many are feeling as divisions grow on our streets. Flags, marches, migration — these are complex issues.
We don’t have all the answers. But we do know this: how we respond to each other matters.
The way forward isn’t in winning arguments or shouting louder. It’s in creating space for real conversation, listening deeply, and meeting each other as human beings.
Here are 5 simple skills that can help us build bridges instead of walls wherever we live:
𝟭. Listen and Seek Out Perspectives Beyond Your Own
It’s easy to stay in our bubble and only listen to voices that sound like ours. But real change starts when we step outside it.
Not to debate. Not to “fix.” But to understand.
Because there is probably another lens that we could be looking through, and a reason why others may see things differently. We may not agree with them, but understanding where they’re coming from is a first step towards progress.
➡️ Try this: In your next conversation, ask: “What’s it like for you?” or “What’s your perspective on…?”. Then really listen. If you’re curious, join a Listening Space, a powerful way to hear perspectives you might never encounter otherwise.
Next Listening Space
Flags have been lifted around the UK, evoking a range of opinions and feelings. Pride, belonging, intimidation, exclusion. What do the flags mean to you?
9th Oct, 7-9pm, BS5 0SQ
𝟮. Avoid Assumptions and ‘Othering’
Ever heard or thought: “Those people all…” or “If you believe that, you must also believe this…”?
This is Othering – reducing someone to a label, or reducing a diverse group of people to a single entity. It shuts down connection before it begins, and it creates an ‘us v them’ mindset
➡️ Try this: Swap assumptions for questions and avoid talking about people as a homogenous group (‘they’re all far right / far left’). Treat the person in front of you as an individual, not a representative of a group
𝟯. Find What We Have in Common
Division tells us we’re nothing alike (race, class, religion).
But when people sit together, they often realise they share more than they thought: dreams for their kids, worries about the future, love of food, music, or sport.
➡️ Try this: In your next conversation, look for one thing you share in common and enjoy and celebrate that. It might feel small, but common ground is the foundation for trust.
𝟰. Bring People Together
Bridges are rarely built across police lines, or in raging debates. They’re built when people from different walks of life meet in person.
When we share a meal, swap stories, and see the human behind the label, the walls between us start to crumble. So the first step often just means getting people into the same room.
➡️ Try this: Invite someone new for a coffee or a meal. You can also join us for a Peace Feast, a meal with others we might not usually get to meet. Small, positive encounters lead to a deeper understanding.
Next Peace Feast
Join us at Bristol Folk House to come together, share a delicious meal, and celebrate all that make this city special.
27th Oct, 7-9pm. BS1 5JG
𝟱. Don’t Underestimate the Little Things
A smile. A kind word. Becoming a Volunteer.
They may seem small, but they ripple outwards in ways we rarely see. The divisions we’re witnessing can feel daunting and overwhelming when you look at the macro level, but many of the solutions lie in the very local, where person to person interactions can tell a different story.
➡️ Try this: Do one small thing for someone else today. It might be the moment that shifts their whole day. Or why not volunteer? Give your time to create the kinder, fairer and more welcoming communities we’d like to see.
Volunteer With Bridges
Volunteering is a great way to respond to some of the big issues in the world and to do something positive where you live.