Small Gestures, Big Impact: How Londoners Can Welcome Newcomers and Boost Our Community

London is the fastest growing city in the province. With approximately 56% of this growth coming from overseas, the region is seeing a high number of newcomers!

With an increase of newcomers comes a need to be welcoming! As #WelcomingWeek2022 wraps up, we are reminded that it doesn't take much to make someone feel welcomed. A small act of kindness, a moment out of your day, a simple smile or hello can have a large impact for someone that is new to our community.

Too often we say we will "wait until we have time" to volunteer or to somehow get involved in making a positive impact on our community. While volunteering and getting involved are important and certainly do have a positive impact on our community, there are other ways to make a positive impact that truly only take a few seconds or minutes out of your day. These types of "acts of welcome" can go such a long way in making newcomers feel safe, supported and welcomed in our community.

Some of these acts include: introducing yourself to someone new; saying hello when you see someone in your neighbourhood that you don't recognize; smiling when you pass people on the street, in public spaces, or while running errands; providing directions to someone that looks lost; creating a space that is welcoming at your home or business to all; or dropping a gift off for a new neighbour.

To take it a step further spending time is a great way to make someone feel welcomed. For example: grab a meal with someone who is new to your neighbourhood; invite a newcomer over for a cup of tea; offer to help run errands with a newcomer to help them find the shops; go on a walk with someone new; or arrange an activity for your children.

Being kind and spending time on someone is never wasted. The more welcome newcomers feel in London and Middlesex, the more likely they are to settle here longer term. And as we know, immigrants bring many benefits to our community economically, culturally and socially. We all have a part in attracting and retaining newcomers in order for our region to thrive!

Let's all ensure that #AllAreWelcomeHere, during #WelcomingWeek2022 -but more importantly - beyond!