There’s no point in beating ourselves up over everything that’s happening because in one way or another it’s already been rough. Despite social distancing measures, what we need now more than ever is to cultivate a greater sense of community and belongingness.

Though we need to go through certain things alone, getting in touch with people and knowing you have support still makes all the difference. Despite quarantine measures and the threats posed by the virus, we can still form and cultivate connections through technology and social media. The following Facebook groups are just some of the few online communities that might just help us through this quarantine:

To access these Facebook groups upon clicking, please make sure you are logged in to your account first.

Globe Hope Bank

In light of the new normal we’re coming to know, Globe Hope Bank’s Facebook community aims to serve as an online space for everyone trying to cope with the pandemic. The Facebook group, launched in partnership with 24/7 health hotline KonsultaMD, provides helpful resources on mental health as well as uplifting posts by its members. It’s essentially a virtual support group for those struggling with mental and emotional health issues at these times.

The group is also a platform that can help boost the morale of frontliners and patients being treated for COVID-19. Through the group, anyone can share information about donation drives as well as bayanihan acts and initiatives.

A deeper sense of community in these challenging times can be found in Globe Hope Bank’s discussions as members share messages of hope, strength and inspiration. To contribute to the platform, members may post using the hashtag #SpreadHOPE, both on their personal profiles and in the group. Join the Facebook group here.

Quarantine Tribute Tips

If you aren’t already one of its 10,000 members, you might want to join Quarantine Tribute Tips. Initially a place for tips, tricks and safety measures in running errands such as grocery shopping or bills payment, the public group has become a place for all kinds of #adulting tips with members sharing a myriad of hacks, recipes, grocery finds, advice and anecdotes, along with occasional memes to get people through quarantine.

#PasokMgaSuki

The public Facebook group #Pasokmgasuki is an initiative put up just last week to help aid struggling and displaced street vendors whose jobs are threatened due to enhanced community quarantine. The group connects these vendors with people who want to donate and help them out.

[READ:#PasokMgaSuki connects street vendors to those who want to help out]

Each post in the group includes the name and IDs of the street vendors to ensure their legitimacy, as well what they sell and what they intend to use the money for along with different donation channels.

Manila Grows Food

Manila Grows Food is a cause-driven group that actively pushes for a more sustainable lifestyle. With their admins’ dream of making cleaner and fresher produce accessible to more people, the community serves as an engaging learning platform for people with zero to little gardening experience. Here, people can share online resources and their experiences on anything urban gardening related.

[READ:Grow your own food—if not from seeds then from scraps]

Philippine Homes and Gardens

Philippine Homes and Desing Faceboook group page — *Philippine Homes and Design’s Faceboook group page*

A way to keep cabin fever at bay is by taking a look at other people’s way of living. From the name itself, Philippine Homes and Gardens showcases different houses and their interesting interiors and exteriors especially gardens. This gives you an idea of the residents’ lifestyle as well as some updates and anecdotes on their home arrangements. Food recipes and some household maintenance tips are also appreciated in their discussions.

[READ: How to build an urban garden using common household materials]

Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.

10 websites and applications to help you stay on top of this pandemic

A guide to safe online shopping in the time of COVID-19