5 Ways to Connect with Your Neighbourhood

09 Aug 2010

According to the Saguaro seminar (www.hks.harvard.edu/saguaro) every ten minutes of commuting reduces all forms of social capital by 10% (no, I have no idea how anyone can measure stuff like that, either). Regardless, most of us find it increasingly difficult to connect with our neighbourhoods while having increasing reasons for doing so. Here are five ideas to help you and your parish reconnect with your local community.

1: Ask for Help
We are usually happy to help people out, but most of us are reluctant to ask for help. That math doesn't add up. Start new community connections by asking for help, then reciprocating. Take a “thank you” gift or leave yourself in their debt and wait for the pay-off to come rolling in. Interdependence builds great communities.

2: Organise a Street Phone List
Take your neighbours some cupcakes (the baking of choice for hipsters), suggest a phone list, then slowly increase the size of the list. When new people come to the street, take them cupcakes (if it works, why change it?) and give them the list in case they need anything. Also, you can check out if they have a Sky dish (see number 1).

3: Bake Morning Tea for a Local Group
Once a month, bake and take something to your local primary school or other community group. It’s a great way to let them know you value what they do in your area, and is a simple way to understand your community’s needs and cohesion better. This is a fun thing to do as a parish group, too. Small acts of service can have a huge impact on the way your local community relates to your church.

4: Take a Regular Walk
Wander the neighbourhood for a couple of weeks. Pick an area that needs a tidy up or tree planting, and invite the neighbourhood to a community day. You’ll be surprised how fast those local nameless strangers can become people we know. Having a one-off project can be a good reason to knock on a door or have a conversation that would otherwise feel awkward.

5. Create a Community Map
Get together with some friends and draw your neighbourhood on a big piece of paper. Identify and mark the problems and needs of your community, then identify and mark all the strengths and advantages in your community. Ask around and gradually build a bigger picture. This is a great home group activity, and for those handicraftily inclined, you can glue little bits of macaroni and velvet to the map and make it a 3D, tactile experience. It’s just like Avatar, but on a budget.