It's Monday, and I hope that's OK. The world's getting scarier by the day, which makes projects that bring people together all the more important.

This is Boop!, a short-read newsletter to support you in your work as a community builder, whether you run a bar, organise a five-a-side, or offer people a space to talk. My work is all about using digital tools to get people out of their front doors and bumping into people.

So the plan is to offer you something to check out in person, something to save to your Read Later list, and an idea worth stealing. So, let's get in amongst it.

✊ Hate Crime Awareness Week

Birmingham's Hate Crime Awareness Roadshow launched last Friday, ahead of National Hate Crime Awareness Week which runs from 10–17 October. What it really amounts to is a van rolling around the city with digital signage and QR codes offering resources on reporting hate crime or getting support if you've been affected.

It serves as a reminder that merely being opposed to racism at a basic human level isn't enough – we need to make it clear that backsliding, regressive, and discriminatory behaviour has no place here.

🗓️ Get involved in the Warm Welcome scheme

Warm Welcome spaces are community-run drop-ins open to anyone who could use a chat, get involved in an activity, or have a brew. There are loads around the city, and if you want to get involved, get yourself over to Edgbaston next Monday.

It’s an opportunity to connect directly with funders, charities, advice services, and community resources all under one roof... Last year’s first marketplace was a fantastic success, bringing together over 300 attendees and 50 stallholders. We would love to build on that success with you this year.

💡 Keep the momentum going

Just a little something from step 6 of the Return Loop. If you're running a regular gathering, make sure people have a date in their diaries for the next one. Put it in your follow-up comms, mention it on the night. If there's a theme or a subject that changes each time, let them know what the next one will be.

This all helps cement in people's minds that what you're doing is sticking – it helps to build trust as it shows you've got a plan, and it's ultimately way easier to bring people back than it is to find new strangers to come, so capitalise on the goodwill you've already built.

That's it for this week. Have a great one, and if you want a chat about any of the above, hit Reply. 🫶