While isolation plays havoc with the established face to face networks across Kingborough, it opens the opportunity for hyperlocal connections.
Busy lifestyles, social media dependence and a lack of trust in those perceived as strangers can lead to a disconnection from our place-based community and our neighbours.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic there was already an epidemic of increased loneliness and with the removal of casual interactions of day to day life, this has the potential to impact a lot more people from the community.
Loneliness has lots of very real impacts.
Studies have identified that lonely Australians have worse physical and mental health and are more likely to be depressed.
Loneliness doesn’t just affect the economically vulnerable.
It can easily be someone living alone in a luxury apartment, or someone who has moved to the area recently for work and hasn’t had time to make friends.
The only way to combat it is by making connections.
With so many working and schooling from home and the closure of social infrastructure such as libraries, cafes and playgrounds, the value of connecting with neighbours has increased in importance.
Communities around the world are inventing ways to engage with their neighbours.
Those with capacity, time and confidence are reaching out to check in and build local networks that aim to protect the most vulnerable.
The additional benefit is that in doing so they are building their neighbourhood’s resilience and liveability for the long term.
Many ways to connect safely in the community have been suggest which still allow for responsible social distancing.
Slipping a note under your neighbours’ door or in their post box to introduce yourself and let them know how you could be able to help them if needed.
Distributing coloured card to vulnerable members of the neighbourhood or the street, which can be placed in an easily seen window as a visual signal that people are OK or that they may need assistance.
Set up a time for neighbours to catch up at a safe distance, with everyone keeping to their own driveways, porches or yards.
Some households are taking part in the ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ movement by placing a teddy bear or stuffed animal in their window for families with children to spot while taking walks around their neighbourhood.
If you are taking part in keeping community connection alive in Kingborough, send editorial@kchronicle.com.au an email with your story and photos.
Pictured above: Margate Primary School students were spreading hopeful messages to the community by writing positive, colourful chalk messages. (PS)
Pictured above: Some residents of Incana Road, Margate have been taking part in the ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ movement by placing stuffed toy bears in the windows of their homes for children to spot while taking walks with their families in the neighbourhood.
