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“Kindred: A Space for Connection and Contribution"

 Imagine stumbling upon a hidden gem in the heart of Hammersmith, a place where people gather, connect, and make meaningful contributions to their community and the world. This is Kindred, a three-story, grade two-listed building that has become a beacon of inclusivity and belonging.

In 2018, Anna Anderson, my guest this week on Brave New Girls podcast, took on the task of reviving this neglected space, envisioning it as a hub for community and connection. Kindred was born from the idea of creating a "third space" - a place that's not quite work, not quite home, but something in between. It's a place where people can meet others, personally or professionally, and engage in various activities while also finding time for relaxation, learning, and work. 

But Kindred's mission goes beyond being just another exclusive members’ club. Anna and her team realized that true community-building should be inclusive and accessible to all. They scrapped the membership model and opened their doors to anyone seeking connection and a sense of belonging.

The timing of Kindred's inception, just before the pandemic hit, was unexpected, to say the least. They had proudly set out to address the issue of loneliness, a topic that wasn't particularly in vogue. However, the pandemic shed light on the pervasive problem of loneliness, making it a mainstream conversation. Kindred's commitment to tackling loneliness remained steadfast, even in the face of an unforeseen challenge.

Anna believes that addressing loneliness requires more than just sitting next to strangers on a bench. Instead, she advocates for creating intentional physical spaces where people can gather comfortably. These spaces cater to various personalities, introverts and extroverts alike, allowing individuals to engage as much or as little as they desire. The key is regular interaction, showing up, and being prepared to connect with others.

The pandemic highlighted how crucial human-to-human interaction is for our physical and mental well-being. Loneliness is not confined to introverts; it can affect anyone across the personality spectrum. Building strong community structures, like Kindred, requires intention, effort, and the willingness to put in the work to feel connected and belong.

Anna's journey to creating Kindred was somewhat accidental. She initially pursued a career in social work, addressing issues like child protection, gangs, domestic violence, mental health, and addiction. However, her interest in community social work led her to explore the idea of embedding social workers within communities to address systemic issues. Frustrated by the bureaucratic nature of the system, she began looking for alternative ways to make a positive impact.

This quest eventually led her to Kindred. While her background wasn't in hospitality, Anna embraced the challenge and aimed to create a sustainable business that could revive the local community and provide a space for people to connect. Kindred may have a touch of luxury, but its primary goal is to address the human need for connection. Once Kindred was established, Anna focused on making it more than just a business. She believes that every business should acknowledge its impact on the environment and society. Kindred actively works to reduce its environmental footprint, with plans for solar panels and other sustainability measures.

However, Anna is equally passionate about making a positive impact on her team and the local community. Kindred's team is treated with respect and dignity, fostering a culture of care and support. During the pandemic, they extended their support to local schools by donating laptops to children in need, demonstrating their commitment to the community.

Looking ahead, Anna's vision for the future is not solely focused on growth at all costs. Instead, she envisions a future where businesses prioritize giving back, contributing to their communities, and creating safe, welcoming spaces for people to connect. In her view, success isn't measured solely by growth, but by the positive impact a business has on its community and the world at large.

What we can learn from Anna’s journey:

To Anna, courage means doing what's hard and against the grain. It means contributing when it's challenging, especially when others are self-preserving. She believes that courage lies in giving, even when it feels like resources are scarce. For Anna, courage is about building a world where giving and connection prevail over individualistic growth at all costs. 

Anna's experience at Kindred gives us an insight into how we use our own skills and courage in alignment with our vision for the future. Anna stumbled upon an old building in need of a purpose, and she saw an opportunity to create something beautiful. She had initially worked in social services, tackling complex issues. But she realized her skills could be used in a different way. So when we consider what we're good at, we can take our skills and use them towards turning our ideas into reality.

Anna had the courage to embrace the challenge before her. When faced with a problem, we can break it down into manageable steps towards our goal and then take the necessary action. It might feel hard, but persistence is key. Anna's commitment to addressing loneliness remained strong even when the unexpected pandemic hit. When we have created a strong enough vision in tune with our values, imagining a world where our actions have made a positive change in addressing the problem we want to solve, we are more likely to persist through the challenges.

We’re not alone in this journey. We're all connected as part of humanity and our planet. Anna's journey with Kindred exemplifies this interconnectedness. She built a place that brings people together, fostering a sense of belonging and community. So, as we tackle problems and create positive change, we can draw inspiration from Anna's experience. Let’s be like her – see the problem, understand our skills, apply them courageously, envision a better future, align with our values, and remember, we're part of a bigger picture, working for a brighter world.

Brave New Girls podcast is a movement for inspiring women and girls to build on their own brave new girl journey for the benefit of themselves, others and the planet.