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Community activities are believed to contribute to the cultivation of social capital and social cohesion. For this study, a community 'living room', a community activity for lonely, elderly people in a mid-sized Dutch city, was studied. Interviews and observations showed that the community activity was experienced positively, and that social interactions in this particular setting were much appreciated in the face of loneliness. This held not only true for the participants, but also for the volunteers. Nevertheless, the activity did not significantly contribute to the development of social capital. Social contacts established during the activity did not extend beyond the setting. A general lack of trust is seen as a major factor inhibiting the development of social contacts beyond the setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influx of migrants in Western Europe raises questions about the potential of leisure spaces and activities to support processes of social inclusion and to allow migrants to develop a sense of belonging. Discussions are ongoing about how this potential is realised or not. In this paper, I propose that the perspective of leisure activities as ritual may help to untangle how leisure spaces and practices build solidarity and a sense of belonging. The paper draws on interviews with Polish migrants to the Netherlands about leisure activities they undertake. Specifically, the paper will examine dance clubs as spaces and going out as activity in which migrants enter into contact with locals. It will show how these spaces and activities ultimately fail as potential sites for developing a sense of belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the contribution of leisure activities to self perception of migrants, the complexity of the meaning of leisure, and the illustration of the meaningfulness of leisure through mobility.

The article focuses on the conflict between the Catholic Church and the communist state in Poland in the sphere of leisure and the condition of recreation activities after the demise of communism. The communist state organized recreational events though state-owned enterprises for the workers. The Church organized Oasis retreats for children and youngsters as an alternative to state-organized recreational events.