An afternoon the world needed: Connection and community
There are moments when the heart of Globe Community Project feels especially visible, and our January 2026 Away Day at Mandala Café was one of those moments.
Staff, trustees, participants and volunteers came together over lunch to meet, share food, talk openly and look ahead. The room was filled with warmth, energy and conversation, the kind that happens naturally when people feel welcomed and valued.
A room full of life
What stood out immediately was the diversity and buzz in the room. “So many happy faces! And never ending chat all around.”
People spoke about how meaningful it felt to see a space filled with participants, volunteers, trustees and staff from all over the world, with babies to 70+, sitting together, eating and talking. Even the cafe staff commented that the atmosphere was something special, saying “with so much division out there, this is exactly what the world needs more of.”
Sharing food played a big role in bringing people together.“Meeting everyone and the delicious food, where we were eating all together and chatting with new people, and everyone was welcomed.”
Others reflected on the simple but powerful act of connection. “Generally people connecting in groups, over lunch etc.”
Listening and learning
The lunchtime and after-lunch sessions created space for listening, reflection and group exercises.
When asked who had inspired them during the day, many people spoke about the individuals they met and reconnected with. “I met new volunteer Clara, who was immediately likeable. She was very friendly and intelligent, with professional experience in the refugee and migrant sector, and also doing a PhD around the subject. What a great person to have on the team.”
Others shared how meaningful it was to reconnect with familiar faces.
“It was lovely to reconnect with some of the Touching Safe Ground participants, who I hadn’t seen since last year.”
For some, inspiration came from moments of joy across generations. “I met so many amazing people, but it was amazing to see the faces of the children when an amazing moment happened.”
Together, these reflections captured the openness, encouragement and care present throughout the day.
Shared values
The away day also offered a chance to strengthen relationships across roles. People spoke warmly about trustees and staff they met. One staffer mentioned our trustee Funmi, who has a corporate background but is now focused on community financial literacy: “Funmi is such a strong woman and has a lot of energy.”
It was also great to briefly meet new Chair Bethan Charnley and to experience GCP as a community where everyone’s contribution matters.
Looking ahead with trust
Alongside celebrating what’s working, the day opened up important conversations about the future.
People reflected on the importance of understanding one another more deeply. “We should know more about our team members to understand the context they are coming from.” Nowhere was this more apparent than when Outreach Lead Ahmed revealed he thinks of himself as “like a spider!” While unexpected, when you know how many directions outreach roles need to reach in, you’ll see where he’s coming from.
There was excitement about future ideas and growth, including:
“Introducing intergenerational work with the Well Old project.”
“In the long term, training participants to become facilitators.”
“Having our own dedicated space and youth club.”
As the afternoon came to a close, what stayed with us was a shared sense of belonging. In a world that can feel divided, the Away Day was a gentle reminder of the power of sitting together, listening, and feeling seen. It captured the heart of Globe Community Project: community built on care, connection and trust.