Neighbour Day
What is Neighbour Day?
Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community, encouraging people to connect with their neighbours. Neighbours matter (whether near, far, or online), and now, more than ever, is the time to make creative connections and to stay connected.
Knowing your neighbours, and your broader community has never been more important. Relationships Australia as the home of Neighbour Day believes in the power of the Australian community to support its most vulnerable, to tackle loneliness, and to work together to ensure healthy and safe relationships throughout the pandemic, and beyond.
Neighbour Day 2021 WILL take place on Sunday 28 March, providing all Australians with an opportunity to recognise the strength we draw from our communities, and to continue to build creative connections within neighbourhoods and wider communities. We are asking everyone to get creative, reach out, and to encourage social connection*.
Connected people connect communities.
Whether through a cuppa, a picnic in the park, or a message of support; Neighbour Day is the perfect opportunity to reach out and connect with your neighbours.
“I had always wanted to have a caring, connected neighbourhood but didn’t really know where to start. Neighbour Day gave me ideas, tools and an excuse to get on with it. Many people say they have been meaning to get to know their neighbours, but just don’t get around to it. Neighbour Day provides a timeframe and the support to do just that.” Neighbour Day host
Check out our #CreativeConnections Tips and ‘COVID-19 safe versions of connection and calling cards.
When?
Whilst Neighbour Day is officially celebrated on the last Sunday in March each year, the purpose of the campaign is to raise national awareness of the importance of social connection and neighbourly actions throughout the year. It encourages people to make meaningful connections that last beyond the day itself.
The official Neighbour Day falls on Sunday 28 March 2021, however, don’t let that stop you being neighbourly every single day.
Why?
The Neighbour Day 2021 theme is ‘Every day is neighbour day’ – building on the growing movement of people taking neighbourly actions every day of the year.
Encouraging social connection is the essence of Neighbour Day every day.
The principal aim of Neighbour Day is to increase positive and sustainable social connections between people and communities throughout Australia. In doing so, Relationships Australia as the home of Neighbour Day aims to support healthy relationships and assist in tackling the loneliness epidemic in this nation.
Neighbour Day brings together like-minded people, resources, and organisations to grow stronger, well-connected communities.
Who?
Responsibility for Australia’s Neighbour Day belongs to every person, in every community. We want to work with individuals, families, neighbourhoods, communities and organisations to help grow Neighbour Day so that we can all live in communities that are welcoming, kind and supportive. More…
Neighbour Day is managed by Relationships Australia.
Who is a neighbour?
The word ‘neighbour’ has undergone a revival during last summer’s bushfires and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the term ‘neighbour’ is well understood as someone who supports others in times of need. Someone who picks up shopping or other essentials for others. Someone who checks in regularly to make sure people are ok. Someone who volunteers to help those needing support. A neighbour can be someone in your street, or the wider community, your workplace, or online. Maybe in Australia, perhaps overseas.
Neighbours connect and provide support to those living next door and to those further away. We have the capacity to build communities beyond our physical locations. Neighbours can be anyone.
COVID-19 & being neighbourly
Relationships Australia acknowledges that right across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the lives of Australians. We are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and the strength we draw from each other, from our relationships and our wider communities, has never been more important. Social distancing does not mean social disconnection!
More information on Relationships Australia and Neighbour Day activities and COVID-19 here.
*We recommend that people make themselves aware of the public health authorities’ advice and only take part in neighbourly actions that are safe.
via https://neighbourday.org/
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