How to build strong community connections in a new neighbourhood

Building connections in a new community can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you've just moved into an apartment building or a new neighbourhood, fostering relationships with your neighbours can greatly enhance your life. This article explores low-cost and no-cost ideas to facilitate community connections among residents, along with examples of residents who have successfully built new relationships in their neighbourhood.

Stories from our communities

Clare's vibrant community:

Clare and her family moved to Port Coogee in December 2017, and have created a vibrant, connected life at Port Coogee through numerous community connections.
“Port Coogee is special to me because of my neighbours. I love that our kids are close in age and can play together. They will grow up together and can have Christmas mornings and summer holidays by the beach together. Everyone looks out for each other, and it makes the street a lovely place to live.”

 

Zep's Christmas celebration:

Zep from Midtown MacPark wanted to ensure no one felt alone during Christmas, so she decided to organise a festive celebration for all residents. By organising community events like this, she fostered strong relationships. She reached out to others for support in bringing the neighbourhood event to life.

“I have met really nice people, made new friends and we do lots of nice things together. Especially our Christmas party, we put it out together with a group of community members. We had a beautiful Christmas tree that was done by Tania, Odette made handmade decorations, Jim was Santa, Lachlan was Santa's helper, Julia prepared food, and lots of cakes, lollies, desserts and drinks were donated by other friends. It was all done by this lovely community. I look forward to more memorable days to come.”

 

Leilani's coffee meet-ups:

Leilani, when moving on her own to Hamilton Reach felt the need to connect with neighbours and rebuild her support network. She took a pro-active approach to host monthly coffee meet-ups, which led to a first get-together to explore a regional flower festival with 3 of her newly made community connections. Recently she had a fall in her apartment and wasn’t as mobile/active for a few weeks but the friendship she had made over the past 12 months meant that she had a very local support group she could rely on. That completely took her by surprise and was so grateful for all the act of kindness she received.

 

Michelle's community initiatives:

Michelle moved to her forever home in Brookhaven with her husband and dog. She has a big heart and donating time and home-made produce brings her joy. She immediately took advantage of the existing community Facebook group to share her passion and attract other like-minded people in the community to support her initiative “Adopt an Aged Care resident”. In her spare time, Michelle also sews a high volume of little girls’ dresses and bakes delicious cookies, which she gives away in the community.

Her efforts in organising community events have paid off; everyone comes to her house to collect, and she has built a very strong network of community connections. Michelle is brightening other residents’ lives, inspiring others to engage in small act of kindness. Her latest gift is to bake a weeks’ worth of school lunchboxes for busy parents. All they have to provide is the ingredients and she’ll organise the rest!

 

30 low/no cost ideas for community connection

1. Dog Walking Group: Organise a weekly dog walk where residents can socialise while their pets play. It’s a win-win for both dogs and owners!

2. Notice Board or Social Media Group: Set up a physical notice board in a common area or create a social media group where residents can share activities and invite others to join.

3. Coffee Catch-Up in the Park: Host a casual coffee meet-up in a local park to encourage residents to mingle and chat.

4. School Walking Bus: Coordinate a walking bus for kids to walk to school together, promoting safety and building community connections through shared routines.

5. Neighbourhood Playdates: Arrange playdates in the park for parents and children to connect.

6. Street Library: Create a community library where residents can exchange books, fostering a love for reading and sharing.

7. Walking Group: Start a walking group for exercise and social interaction.
 

 

8. Pot Luck Dinner: Organise a pot luck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share, creating a sense of community through food. Check out the Berwick Waters community event, where residents celebrated Harmony Day with a diverse and delightful Pot Luck Dinner featuring meals from various cultures.

9. Build a Rock Snake: Encourage creativity by having residents paint rocks and add them to a communal snake along a pathway.

10. Roaming Gnomes: Create a fun tradition where gnomes are passed around to different homes, sparking conversations and laughter.

11. Footpath Hopscotch: Use chalk to create hopscotch on the footpath, inviting children and adults to join in.

12. Board Game Night: Host a board game night in a common area for friendly competition and bonding.

13. Neighbourhood Sports: Organise casual games of cricket, basketball, or other sports to engage residents in physical activity.

14. Business Breakfast: Create a networking breakfast for local entrepreneurs and residents to connect and share ideas.

15. Knitting Circle: Establish a knitting circle for storytelling and sharing experiences, fostering deeper connections.

16. Seasonal Gatherings: Plan community events for holidays like Christmas, Easter, or Diwali to celebrate together. Such neighbourhood events can elevate community spirit.
 

 

17. Self-Hosted Wine Tasting: Invite neighbours for a casual wine tasting evening to relax and socialise.

18. Book Club: Start a book club to discuss literature and share recommendations.

19. Crafting Activities: Organise sessions to learn crafts like knitting, crocheting, or sewing together.

20. Donation Drives: Host drives for local charities, such as baking for aged care residents or organising a morning tea.

21. Plant/Seed Exchange: Encourage gardening enthusiasts to swap plants and seeds, promoting green spaces.

22. Garage Sale Trail: Organise a community garage sale day to declutter and connect with neighbours.

23. Halloween/Christmas Community Trails: Create themed trails for festive celebrations, encouraging residents to decorate their homes.

24. Mums & Bubs Coffee Chat: Facilitate meet-ups for new parents to share experiences and support each other.

25. Recipe Sharing: Use social media to share favourite recipes linked to seasonal events.

26. Clothing/Toy Swap: Organise swaps to promote sustainability and community sharing.

27. Bush Walks: Plan group walks in nearby nature reserves to explore the outdoors together.

28. Tai Chi/Park Yoga: Offer classes in local parks to promote wellness and community engagement.

29. Baking Challenges: Host friendly baking competitions among neighbours.

30. Plant a Tree Day: Collaborate on a community tree-planting day to beautify the area.