Eight ways to get to know your neighbours

One in 10 Australians aged over 15 are lonely, and we know that loneliness can be harmful to both our mental and physical health.

Neighbour Day (Sunday 28 March) is a good reminder for us all to be the best neighbour we can and build meaningful connections with those around us.

In 2020, we banded together as a strong community during the COVID pandemic, even more so at Christmas when we experienced a local cluster. While everyday life is returning to normal, we need to remember to build connections with those around us.

You can help make our community even better by safely reaching out to your neighbours.

Smile, wave and say hello more. Sometimes a smile from a neighbour or a friendly hello can make a bad day a little bit better.Invite them over for a cuppa. Small neighbourly acts like sharing a cup of tea can make an enormous difference to people’s wellbeing. If the neighbour you’re reaching out to is elderly or immune-compromised, make sure they’re comfortable meeting face to face, and meet outside on a balcony or in a backyard to stay COVID-safe.Offer to pick up groceries or medicine for neighbours you know are having a tough time. Every little bit helps.Welcome new neighbours to your street or building by introducing yourself and, if comfortable, leave your contact phone number so they can reach out if they need help or have any questions. Or they might like to catch up over dinner!If you have children, encourage them to create artwork to share with your elderly neighbours or see if your child and neighbour might like to become pen pals.Get creative with street activities – throw a street-wide Second Hand Saturday, a kid’s activity afternoon with hopscotch and chalk drawing, or start a street book club – the options are endless!

If you have an elderly neighbour looking for events and activities, many clubs and activities for seniors have returned to our community centres. The Seniors Festival is also coming up next month (13-30 April) with a variety of events from nature walks, workshops and technology talks.

To find out more about Neighbour Day, visit their website.