There are so many brilliant clubs, charities and community projects doing important work across the Bromley borough. From sports teams and parent groups to food banks, choirs, support networks and environmental projects, these groups bring people together and make a real difference.
But even the most worthwhile project can struggle to reach the people who would love to be involved if nobody knows it exists.
That is where a good story comes in.
Sharing your news is not about sounding flashy or trying to compete with bigger organisations. It is simply about helping people understand who you are, what you do and why it matters. A clear, honest story can encourage someone to come along for the first time, volunteer an hour of their week, make a donation or tell a friend about your work.
Start with the ‘why’
Most local groups are very good at explaining what they do. “We meet every Wednesday.” “We provide support.” “We need volunteers.” These details matter, but they do not always show people why they should care.
Try starting with the reason your group exists.
Perhaps your walking group helps people feel less isolated. Maybe your youth club gives young people a safe place to spend time after school. Your charity may support families through a difficult period. Or your community garden might turn an unused space into somewhere people can enjoy together.
When you share that bigger purpose, people can connect with it.
A simple sentence such as, “We started because we wanted local parents to have somewhere friendly to meet,” says far more than a list of meeting times. It gives your group heart and helps others see the difference they could be part of.
Put people at the centre
The strongest stories are usually about people.
Think about the member who was nervous to attend at first but now helps welcome newcomers. The volunteer who gives up their time every week. The young person who gained confidence through taking part. The neighbour who found support when they needed it most.
These are the moments that help people understand the value of a local group.
You do not need a dramatic story every time. A short quote can be enough: “I joined because I had just moved to the area and did not know anyone. Now I look forward to it every week.” That feels real, warm and relatable.
Of course, always ask permission before sharing someone’s name, photograph or personal experience. If people would rather remain anonymous, you can still tell the story without identifying them.
Make it easy to understand
When you are close to a project, it is easy to forget that new people may not know the basics. Keep your information simple and clear.
Every post, event listing or article should answer a few key questions:
- What is the group or project?
- Who is it for?
- Where and when does it happen?
- How much does it cost, if anything?
- Do people need to book?
- How can someone get involved?
If you are looking for volunteers, be specific about what help is needed. “We need volunteers” can feel overwhelming. “Could you spare two hours on a Saturday morning to help at our monthly café?” feels much more manageable.
People are often willing to help, but they need to know what they are saying yes to.
Share the small wins
You do not have to wait for a huge fundraising total, anniversary or award to share your news. Did a local business donate supplies? Did a new member join? Did you have a successful litter pick, busy coffee morning or brilliant turnout at an event? These small wins help show that your group is active, welcoming and making progress.
They also give your supporters something positive to share. A quick photograph, a thank you to a volunteer or a short update from an event can go a long way.
Local news is not only about the biggest headlines. It is also about the people quietly doing good things every day.
Use the places people already look
Think about where your potential members, volunteers or supporters spend their time. That might be social media, local noticeboards, school newsletters, community websites or local magazines like us!
Promoting your event in Life In Orpington, Life in Bromley or Life In Beckenham is simple – and prices are super affordable (£17 per month or just £12 per month if you’d like a 6-month insertion). If you’re running a free, community event then we’ll help support you by publishing this for free in our magazines too.
And don’t forget that you can also upload details of your on our website. We’re page no. 1 on Google for both ‘events in Bromley’ and ‘what’s on in Bromley’.
Events can be found here: www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk/events and you can look for the green ‘submit an event’ button to upload yours or visit this link directly. There is also the option to upload an image if you wish.
Any events published on the website will also appear on our ‘Bromley Life’ iOS App which is free to download. See https://apple.co/4lSNi4m
It’s all completely free to do so and the website is viewed by thousands every month. If we have space, we also include free to attend events in our much-loved monthly community magazines.
A simple plan could be to share one piece of news each month, promote events a few weeks in advance and send a short update after they have taken place. Repetition is helpful. People may need to see something more than once before deciding to get involved.
Do not wait for perfect
Many groups worry that they do not have professional photographs, a large following or the perfect words. The truth is, people respond to honesty.
A friendly photo taken at an event, a genuine quote from a volunteer or a clear invitation to come along is often far more effective than something overly polished.
Your story does not need to be complicated. It just needs to be true.
By sharing what you do, why you do it and the people behind it, you make it easier for others to find you. And when more people know about your group, more people have the chance to support it, join it and help it grow.