Connecting with your neighbours

Do you know the people who live next door? Or in the house over the road? Knowing them can help to make your neighbourhood safe and secure. It can also lead to new friendships or gardening cooperatives. You might find that the family next door needs help with building a fence, and will happily repay you with babysitting or looking after the cat while you’re away. Through sharing the resources we each have, we can build better, stronger and happier communities.

Ways to get to know your neighbours better

• Say hello when you see them – and have a chat
• Invite a neighbour over for a cup of tea or coffee
• Take over some home baking
• Offer to help a neighbour with their gardening or lawns
• Host a shared meal for your neighbours
• Create a baby-sitting club
• Go for a walk around the block with a neighbour and your dogs
• Invite your neighbours’ kids to play with your kids
• Share transport or supervision to and from school – start a walking school bus
• Organise a shared driveway or street get-together.

You might want to form a neighbourhood support group, go to an evening class, or join a sports group.