Kind NEIGHBOURs
Be part of the 2022 ‘Kind Neighbours’ initiative
5049 and The Neighbourhood Circles Project
“We don’t have to imagine that our neighbours are going to be our best friends or that we need to be in each other’s pockets, but knowing our neighbours, being on smiling, conversational terms….is very important to our sense of physical safety and emotional security. And none of that depends on living in a beautiful place. But it does depend on having made those social connections.”
Hugh Mackay, Belonging Matters 2015.
The 5049 Coastal Community Association, featured in a recent Adelaide wide research project led by Sarah Faulkner, from the ‘Neighbourhood Circles Project’. The Association was praised for enhancing the level of community involvement as well as building relationships with residents and councils. The activities from ‘Friends of Pine Gully’, ‘Kind Neighbour Program’ and ‘Open Garage’ were included in the final publication.
Click here to view links to this amazing publication.
The Neighbourhood Circles project aimed to explore stories of neighbourliness, belonging and inclusion and what it might take to include the more ‘vulnerable’ residents in our communities.
It shone a light on the important role neighbours play to keep each other safe and celebrated original community initiatives and the importance of random acts of kindness. Click here to view a short video of action you could take in your neighbourhood.
The recent ‘Neighbourhood Summit’ celebrated successful projects across Adelaide and serves as a stimulus for others to address connection and inclusion in their neighbourhoods. It features wide variety of neighbourhood leaders being interviewed and sharing how their community work makes a difference. Click here to view the whole day session.
If you have an idea to share or want to get involved in local community initiatives, contact Judy through the Association’s email. 5049communicator@gmail.com
“We don’t have to imagine that our neighbours are going to be our best friends or that we need to be in each other’s pockets, but knowing our neighbours, being on smiling, conversational terms….is very important to our sense of physical safety and emotional security. And none of that depends on living in a beautiful place. But it does depend on having made those social connections.”
Hugh Mackay, Belonging Matters 2015.
The 5049 Coastal Community Association, featured in a recent Adelaide wide research project led by Sarah Faulkner, from the ‘Neighbourhood Circles Project’. The Association was praised for enhancing the level of community involvement as well as building relationships with residents and councils. The activities from ‘Friends of Pine Gully’, ‘Kind Neighbour Program’ and ‘Open Garage’ were included in the final publication.
Click here to view links to this amazing publication.
The Neighbourhood Circles project aimed to explore stories of neighbourliness, belonging and inclusion and what it might take to include the more ‘vulnerable’ residents in our communities.
It shone a light on the important role neighbours play to keep each other safe and celebrated original community initiatives and the importance of random acts of kindness. Click here to view a short video of action you could take in your neighbourhood.
The recent ‘Neighbourhood Summit’ celebrated successful projects across Adelaide and serves as a stimulus for others to address connection and inclusion in their neighbourhoods. It features wide variety of neighbourhood leaders being interviewed and sharing how their community work makes a difference. Click here to view the whole day session.
If you have an idea to share or want to get involved in local community initiatives, contact Judy through the Association’s email. 5049communicator@gmail.com
Neighbour Day Success at McConnell Reserve – Sunday April 10th
A happy and successful day was enjoyed by families and friends at Marino, in celebration of Neighbour Day 2022. The great weather brought people out of their house to meet in a local shared community space at McConnell Reserve. Over 80 people attended the event which was planned and supported by the neighbouring community, ‘Friends of McConnell Reserve’ and the ‘5049 Coastal Community Association’. Go here for more details
A happy and successful day was enjoyed by families and friends at Marino, in celebration of Neighbour Day 2022. The great weather brought people out of their house to meet in a local shared community space at McConnell Reserve. Over 80 people attended the event which was planned and supported by the neighbouring community, ‘Friends of McConnell Reserve’ and the ‘5049 Coastal Community Association’. Go here for more details
Have you got an idea to share?
We’d love to hear about it. We can help you get the word out to our community. Some of our community are already doing great things to connect with those in their neighbourhoods.
The core objective of our ‘Kind Neighbours’ program is to develop a successful model for creating increased community resilience and well-being, through a community-led, ‘Kind Neighbour Connector’ program. We help our residents find new ways to connect with their neighbours, through events that bring people together purposefully.
Research has shown that positive relationships with our neighbours affects our well-being, increases our happiness and boosts resilience.
By registering as a ‘Connector’ in your area, you will have access to online support for your neighbourhood initiative, through the ‘Neighbourhood Connect’ website.
We’d love to hear about it. We can help you get the word out to our community. Some of our community are already doing great things to connect with those in their neighbourhoods.
The core objective of our ‘Kind Neighbours’ program is to develop a successful model for creating increased community resilience and well-being, through a community-led, ‘Kind Neighbour Connector’ program. We help our residents find new ways to connect with their neighbours, through events that bring people together purposefully.
Research has shown that positive relationships with our neighbours affects our well-being, increases our happiness and boosts resilience.
By registering as a ‘Connector’ in your area, you will have access to online support for your neighbourhood initiative, through the ‘Neighbourhood Connect’ website.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT
Easy Circular walk (30-40 mins) Join a small group of friendly walkers, every Saturday @ 9am from Marino Community Hall - with coffee afterwards at Brews and Views Cafe.
Games on the Verandah: Sat 2pm - 5pm, April 2nd - Let the board games replace screens - come and spend an afternoon with those favourite games you haven’t played for ages while meeting some of your neighbours. Play chess, draughts or dominoes. Perhaps learn a new game? Contact elizabethcliment@gmail.com or 5049communicator@gmail.com.
¿Como estás? Have you learnt a bit of Spanish that you would like to practise? Join a small informal group of 4- 5 people for conversation to gain confidence either separately or with friendly company. Juan from Valencia(Spain) would love to meet with native Spanish speakers occasionally too. If either of these possibilities interest you, connect with Juan (en inglés). j.climent44@gmail.com
For more information or if you have an idea to share, please email the Kind Neighbours Program Manager, Judy on 5049communicator@gmail.com
Easy Circular walk (30-40 mins) Join a small group of friendly walkers, every Saturday @ 9am from Marino Community Hall - with coffee afterwards at Brews and Views Cafe.
Games on the Verandah: Sat 2pm - 5pm, April 2nd - Let the board games replace screens - come and spend an afternoon with those favourite games you haven’t played for ages while meeting some of your neighbours. Play chess, draughts or dominoes. Perhaps learn a new game? Contact elizabethcliment@gmail.com or 5049communicator@gmail.com.
¿Como estás? Have you learnt a bit of Spanish that you would like to practise? Join a small informal group of 4- 5 people for conversation to gain confidence either separately or with friendly company. Juan from Valencia(Spain) would love to meet with native Spanish speakers occasionally too. If either of these possibilities interest you, connect with Juan (en inglés). j.climent44@gmail.com
For more information or if you have an idea to share, please email the Kind Neighbours Program Manager, Judy on 5049communicator@gmail.com
Background
In March 2020, we instituted a successful ‘Kind Neighbour’ initiative to support our community during the first wave of Covid-19. A very kind neighbour of David Bagshaw, Dr John Setchell, suggested the idea and together with Mike Rutherford, David Cruickshanks-Boyd and David Bagshaw, coordinated volunteers to drop flyers in letterboxes across most streets in the 5049 community.
In a very short time, through a call out via the 5049 Coastal Community newsletter, we had recruited over 35 volunteers to assist us with the program. The primary aim was to support those members of our community who were potentially adversely affected by isolation This initial outreach demonstrated the capacity of our community to respond to a call to be ‘Kind Neighbours’.
Our plan now with ‘Kind Neighbours 2021’, is to create and manage an enduring strong network of local ‘Kind Neighbourhood Connectors’. Judy D, our program manager has been funded to work part-time for 13 weeks, from a State Government Community Well-being and Resilience grant. This kick-start to the second wave of the ‘Kind Neighbours’ Program will see the task group plan, facilitate and launch a forum for the new ‘Neighbourhood Connectors’. Our ‘Connectors’ will act as facilitators of local activities that bring neighbours together, to improve theirs and others’ well-being. We can’t wait to see what creative ideas our ‘Neighbourhood Connectors’ come up with.
The task group is networking with a growing list of other community providers, including Holdfast Bay and Marion Councils, the ‘Neighbourhood Connect’ website, and the ‘Neighbourhood Circles’ initiative. Sarah, from Neighbourhood Circles, is researching the barriers to access and inclusivity for the more vulnerable in our community and can support our ‘Connectors’ with practical information from her state wide research.
The first of the ‘Neighbourhood Connectors’ Forums were held on July 9th and August 15th 2021. This will herald the beginning of the exploration, training and support events for our ‘Connectors’.
As we refine our program through feedback from our ‘Connectors’ and the community, we hope to share our experience with other Community Associations who may wish to set up similar ‘Kind Neighbour’ initiatives in the future.
For more information, questions or to register as a ‘Kind Neighbour Connector’ please email Attention Judy D at: 5049communicator@gmail.com
In March 2020, we instituted a successful ‘Kind Neighbour’ initiative to support our community during the first wave of Covid-19. A very kind neighbour of David Bagshaw, Dr John Setchell, suggested the idea and together with Mike Rutherford, David Cruickshanks-Boyd and David Bagshaw, coordinated volunteers to drop flyers in letterboxes across most streets in the 5049 community.
In a very short time, through a call out via the 5049 Coastal Community newsletter, we had recruited over 35 volunteers to assist us with the program. The primary aim was to support those members of our community who were potentially adversely affected by isolation This initial outreach demonstrated the capacity of our community to respond to a call to be ‘Kind Neighbours’.
Our plan now with ‘Kind Neighbours 2021’, is to create and manage an enduring strong network of local ‘Kind Neighbourhood Connectors’. Judy D, our program manager has been funded to work part-time for 13 weeks, from a State Government Community Well-being and Resilience grant. This kick-start to the second wave of the ‘Kind Neighbours’ Program will see the task group plan, facilitate and launch a forum for the new ‘Neighbourhood Connectors’. Our ‘Connectors’ will act as facilitators of local activities that bring neighbours together, to improve theirs and others’ well-being. We can’t wait to see what creative ideas our ‘Neighbourhood Connectors’ come up with.
The task group is networking with a growing list of other community providers, including Holdfast Bay and Marion Councils, the ‘Neighbourhood Connect’ website, and the ‘Neighbourhood Circles’ initiative. Sarah, from Neighbourhood Circles, is researching the barriers to access and inclusivity for the more vulnerable in our community and can support our ‘Connectors’ with practical information from her state wide research.
The first of the ‘Neighbourhood Connectors’ Forums were held on July 9th and August 15th 2021. This will herald the beginning of the exploration, training and support events for our ‘Connectors’.
As we refine our program through feedback from our ‘Connectors’ and the community, we hope to share our experience with other Community Associations who may wish to set up similar ‘Kind Neighbour’ initiatives in the future.
For more information, questions or to register as a ‘Kind Neighbour Connector’ please email Attention Judy D at: 5049communicator@gmail.com
Our Approach
We will use a ‘program management’ approach to manage a large on-the-ground network of Kind Neighbours volunteers. We aim to have at least one volunteer per 50 households. This approach will reach vulnerable residents such as people who may have few close relationships (single parents, unemployed, elderly, those who may not be reached by modern social media tools, young people unable to attend social venues) and facilitate opportunities to socialise with neighbours and develop personal trusting relationships within the neighbourhood.
We will initially engage with the community utilising our initial volunteers, and we will recruit additional volunteers through our website, newsletter, word of mouth, social media and a letter drop. Volunteers will undertake tailored training and then commence outreach to the community. Using strategies developed in guided discussions they will invite their neighbours to engage in various mutually agreed, activities. Volunteers will have access to mentoring, assistance and resources at all stages, and regular feedback sessions. Activity participants will be invited to volunteer. Reports of activities will be promulgated to encourage uptake
Strategy
Our key strategy is to create increased community resilience and wellbeing through a community-led, Kind Neighbours volunteer program.
Action
Recruit Kind Neighbours volunteers using our 5049 Coastal Community Association communication tools (hardcopy newsletter and monthly E-News and Facebook page; and additional media outreach, supported by our partners).
With assistance from our two local government councils, train and empower volunteers, and provide them support, information and resources.
Implement an evaluation program to identify changes in well-being among participants, offer opportunity for sharing, de-briefing and feedback, and inform ongoing development.
Activities
Volunteers will co-ordinate and connect our target audience to a range of existing neighbourhood activities and groups. They will liaise with local government, church groups, and other groups (eg Neighbourhood Watch) and develop supplementary local activities such as street parties, local produce and swap markets, street clean-ups, sunset photography, verge plantings, nature walks, biking, fishing, canoeing. With support and resources from local government they will develop easy-to-use guides for these activities.
Volunteers will also reach out in-person to vulnerable residents. Through trusting relationships, they may facilitate residents to identify their specific needs, and how they can be helped to establish connections with caring neighbours, and be empowered and supported in the future.
Activities will provide ‘green’ and ‘blue’ outdoor experiences which are known to enhance mood, and real and virtual social engagement. Activities will also allow participants to embed meaning in their lives, experience engagement and achievement through contributing to community projects such as beautifying public spaces, assist other people, play recreational sport.
We will use a ‘program management’ approach to manage a large on-the-ground network of Kind Neighbours volunteers. We aim to have at least one volunteer per 50 households. This approach will reach vulnerable residents such as people who may have few close relationships (single parents, unemployed, elderly, those who may not be reached by modern social media tools, young people unable to attend social venues) and facilitate opportunities to socialise with neighbours and develop personal trusting relationships within the neighbourhood.
We will initially engage with the community utilising our initial volunteers, and we will recruit additional volunteers through our website, newsletter, word of mouth, social media and a letter drop. Volunteers will undertake tailored training and then commence outreach to the community. Using strategies developed in guided discussions they will invite their neighbours to engage in various mutually agreed, activities. Volunteers will have access to mentoring, assistance and resources at all stages, and regular feedback sessions. Activity participants will be invited to volunteer. Reports of activities will be promulgated to encourage uptake
Strategy
Our key strategy is to create increased community resilience and wellbeing through a community-led, Kind Neighbours volunteer program.
Action
Recruit Kind Neighbours volunteers using our 5049 Coastal Community Association communication tools (hardcopy newsletter and monthly E-News and Facebook page; and additional media outreach, supported by our partners).
With assistance from our two local government councils, train and empower volunteers, and provide them support, information and resources.
Implement an evaluation program to identify changes in well-being among participants, offer opportunity for sharing, de-briefing and feedback, and inform ongoing development.
Activities
Volunteers will co-ordinate and connect our target audience to a range of existing neighbourhood activities and groups. They will liaise with local government, church groups, and other groups (eg Neighbourhood Watch) and develop supplementary local activities such as street parties, local produce and swap markets, street clean-ups, sunset photography, verge plantings, nature walks, biking, fishing, canoeing. With support and resources from local government they will develop easy-to-use guides for these activities.
Volunteers will also reach out in-person to vulnerable residents. Through trusting relationships, they may facilitate residents to identify their specific needs, and how they can be helped to establish connections with caring neighbours, and be empowered and supported in the future.
Activities will provide ‘green’ and ‘blue’ outdoor experiences which are known to enhance mood, and real and virtual social engagement. Activities will also allow participants to embed meaning in their lives, experience engagement and achievement through contributing to community projects such as beautifying public spaces, assist other people, play recreational sport.
