Bridges for Communities is a charity based in Bristol working to connect people of different cultures and faiths. Their aim is to encourage these communities to build friendships, to grow in understanding of one another, and to live together in peace. You can find out more about the charity here.
Bridges for Communities are passionate about celebrating diversity between cultures, and building friendships between them. They recognise the importance of listening, learning, and loving one another within a multicultural society. Individuals from different cultures meeting, talking, and discovering what they have in common helps to reduce the misunderstanding and prejudice between cultures which often leads to division.
In the video below, Bridges for Communities share their tips on how to build cross-cultural friendships, which they’ve learned by experience.
In Conclusion…
- Find something in common
- Build shared experiences
- Give and receive hospitality
- Share stories
- Sacrifice some screen time to make space for friendship
- Be kind
- Be curious, not judgemental
We have so much we can learn from one another. May we be open to building bridges between communities, and seeking deep, meaningful friendships with those we meet.
If you would like to donate to the work of Bridges for Communities, you can do so here.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)