Very Neighbourly Tips 2019: Loneliness – what neighbours can do to create connections
- Start simply: say g’day when you see your neighbours – a smile and a wave can go a long way.
- Spend more time on your verandah, balcony or front yard as a simple way to connect with nearby neighbours and those passing by.
- Take in your neighbour’s garbage bin or maybe offer to mow your neighbour’s lawn or collect their mail when they’re away.
- Drop one of our Connection Cards in a neighbour’s mailbox as a way to introduce yourself.
- Take a walk – we could all use the exercise and you’re more likely to run into people outside where even a simple hello gets you started.
- Organise a ‘cuppa by the kerb’ – invite a few neighbours to bring a cuppa and have a chat in the street together at a set time. It’s low effort and very simple to do.
- Reach out to neighbours who you know are living alone, especially the elderly, knock on their door to introduce yourself, pop a note in their letterbox to let them know you are there if they ever need a hand, and then exchange numbers in case of an emergency.
- Ask your neighbour if they’d like to accompany you to a local community event.
- Start a neighbourhood walking group – it doesn’t have to be big, just a neighbour or two to start – and see what happens.
- Share some home cooking or baking or garden produce with a neighbour as a friendly gesture.
- Strike up a conversation with someone you see when you are out and about in your neighbourhood. Here are a few conversation starter ideas.
- Take the initiative and plan a neighbourly event – have a barbie, a picnic, a dinner – anything goes when every day is Neighbour Day!
- Join a local interest group, or volunteer. Here are some ideas.
- Take it to the next level – smile and say g’day every time you see your neighbours – every day for a whole week. You may be pleasantly surprised.
- Create a contact list with your neighbours’ names, phone numbers and birthdays and maybe even useful skills or resources (mower, ice-cream-maker, ladder) that you are happy to share.
- Why not create a new group in your community that connects the generations – sewing, knitting, mechanics, repairs, painting, singing or music group, book club, scrabble or other board games and yoga are just some ideas. The list is endless!
- Help organise events around holidays or special occasions and aim to include as many neighbours as possible.
- Offer to help your neighbour with a small or large job around the house, or perhaps in the garden or garage, or offer to share your handyperson, IT or other skills, if you have them!
- Stay connected, start a meaningful conversation. Be a good neighbour and a great listener. For more conversation tips visit ruok.org.au
- Join or start a community or neighbourhood page on social media.
- Invite a neighbour over for a casual lunch or dinner – and perhaps make it a regular thing. See how you go, you may find weekly, fortnightly or each month works well.
- Start up a street library – for more info streetlibrary.org.au These can become hubs for social connection and conversation.
- Drop off a meal if your neighbour has been unwell or is having a tough time.
- Welcome new neighbours to your neighbourhood by ringing the doorbell, introducing yourself, and even offering to help with the move in if you are able.
- Take over treats, for any reason (or no reason at all). Everyone loves treats.
- Plan a potluck dinner or progressive dinner where everyone prepares a course, or take it one step further and check out our friends at The Welcome Dinner Project.
- Introduce yourself to anyone that’s new to the area … a knock on the door and a warm welcome. If you can, perhaps take over a bunch of flowers, a pot plant, a box of chocolates – anything inexpensive and cheerful.
- Share information with your neighbours – weather, storms, local development, good news.
- Ask some questions – when it comes to best practices for how to meet your new neighbours, asking a question about the area can initiate more of a conversation and friendly rapport. Find more conversation tips here.
- Get to know your local shopkeepers – they can be a wealth of knowledge on what’s happening in your area, the best restaurants, pubs, cafes and even other shops. It’s also nice to have a friendly face to talk to when you get your groceries.
- Take the initiative, organise a simple Neighbour Day event.