5 community connection ideas in the time of Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has restricted face-to-face meetings and get togethers across Sydney.

There’s still plenty we can do to support those around us.

Staying connected and checking in with your neighbours, particularly older people, at this time is crucial.

From calling cards to phone calls, here are 5 tips from Neighbour Day for things you can do to remind your neighbours they have support nearby.

1. Leave a calling or connection card for your neighbour – perhaps in their letterbox or under the front door. Add your phone number and let them know they’re welcome to call for a chat.
2. Help neighbours who are self-isolating or quarantined. Offer to collect medicine, groceries, or their mail and leave it at their door.
3. Take a walk with a friend using a video call. Set up a time. Take your smartphone. Give them a call and you can walk and talk together.
4. Discover your area with Nextdoor -The Neighbourhood Hub. It’s a great way to keep you connected with information in your local area.
5. Start a street library. You can read books in isolation and share them at the street library when you finish.

Studies show that close-knit, cohesive communities are better prepared for disruptions in our city, like Covid-19. These communities respond and recover faster than those with community tension.

Now’s the time to check in on your neighbour.

Stay updated on the City of Sydney's coronavirus response, including the status of libraries and customer service centres, and remember you can access many City of Sydney services online.

Also check updates from NSW Health, including in simplified Chinese.

Neighbour Day on 28 March is Australia’s yearly celebration of community, encouraging people to connect with those who live in their neighbourhood. The City of Sydney promotes Neighbour Day as part of our participation in Resilient Sydney.