10 ideas for connecting with neighbours
From an article by Neighbours Everyday
We can all work to create, share and grow belonging: for ourselves, for our families and for our neighbours. We can do this by focusing on inclusion and connection, making others welcome, and by building respectful relationships with those around us.
The Neighbours Every Day campaign in Australia provides simple, practical tools to create, share and grow belonging, each and every day of the year.
To grow belonging, it is important to:
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Recognise and Nurture - ask yourself, "Where do you belong? How does it make you feel to be part of this community? What actions can you take to deepen these connections and help others not just join, but truly flourish within the community?".
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Take Accountability and Cultivate Growth - what role do you play in your communities, and how can that role evolve? Think of both immediate and long-term steps you can take to help others feel integral to the community. Hold yourself accountable to achieving these goals.
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Focus on Strengths and Develop Potential - when people feel like they don't belong, they can lack purpose or may feel burdensome on others. When growing belonging, regularly highlight others' strengths and actively create opportunities for them to contribute and develop these strengths further.
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Celebrate and Explore Diversity - we are all different and that's great! As belonging grows, so should our appreciation and understanding of our differences. Foster ongoing curiosity about others' experiences and perspectives. Ask respectful questions, listen deeply, and be open to learning.
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Be Kind to Yourself and Others - growing belonging is a journey, not a destination. The path can be rocky, with setbacks along the way. If you make mistakes, be kind to yourself and view them as opportunities for growth. Extend this kindness and patience to others as well. Making mistakes and learning from them is an essential part of growing stronger, more resilient connections.
Here are some of their ideas for simple, real-life ways to connect, show up, and make a difference:
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Scavenger Hunt: Organise a street or community scavenger hunt - finish with a BBQ. [A scavenger hunt is a game in which the organizers prepare a list defining specific items that need to be found, which the participants seek to gather or complete all items on the list, usually without purchasing them.]
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Homework/Study Club: Start a homework club where everyone can do their homework together and help each other. Invite neighbours to be involved.
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Walking Group: Start a street walking group - with or without furry friends. Set a regular time each week to talk and walk.
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Street Library: Put a recycled cabinet in a front corner of someone's property for leaving/sharing books.
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Group Meals: Put a call out to people who like to eat with company and take in turns preparing meals and sharing or eating together.
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Weekly Catch Ups: Whoever is free drops in to say hello at a designated house or front porch. This may or may not include having drinks or snacks - it's more about being social.
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Photo Competition: Invite neighbours to take photos of the things they love about their street. Exhibit the photos in the street and request a donated prize from a local business. Host a celebration for the photography competition.
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Random Acts of Kindness: Carry out random acts of kindness for others in the street, particularly the elderly or those who live on their own, and new residents.
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Movie Night: Set up the TV or projector if someone has one, set up chairs and blankets, make popcorn and have a community movie night. Can be inside or outside or in a communal shared space.
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Social Media Chat: Create a closed street Facebook, lnstagram or WhatsApp group. Invite your neighbours to join via a letterbox drop. Use the group to share ideas, swap items or services and generally support each other.
Download the pdf here.
And lots more ideas here.
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From an article by Neighbours Everyday, 11/11/2025