As the holiday season approaches, it's easy to get caught up in personal celebrations, but reaching out to neighbors can significantly combat isolation and foster community spirit.
Communicating with your local area helps build rapport and reduces feelings of loneliness.
Karen Jordan, team leader of the Good Neighbors Network (a collective of more than 120 local groups dedicated to community support) highlights this need.
She says: “In society we are increasingly isolated and suspicious of each other, so the benefit of reaching out to a neighbor is that you can break down some of those barriers and realize that we are all very similar.”
“Reaching out to your neighbors can help you realize that we all have similar problems and concerns, and sharing them can help reduce that burden.”
He highlights that it is especially crucial to be attentive to the most vulnerable groups, such as elderly neighbors who live alone, at this time of year.
“Many of our Good Neighborhood Network groups help people over 65 and many of the volunteers themselves are in that age group,” Jordan says. “I think it's also important to reach out to young families and mothers who might be struggling on their own and could benefit from a talk.”
Here are some simple ways to be the best neighbor you can be this Christmas…
Look around
“I think one of the most important things people can do to help their neighbors this Christmas and winter is to start taking notice,” Jordan says. “Just look around and pay attention to the little signs that might indicate someone is struggling.”
Start a conversation
“It can be difficult because the older generation is very proud and many times they don't want to admit that they feel alone, which can be a big barrier,” Jordan acknowledges.
“I would always recommend having a very light touch about it and maybe just starting with 'if you fancy a chat and a cup of tea anytime, let me know' to help start the conversation.”
Spread awareness about local groups and services.
Your neighbor may not be aware of all the great local groups and activities in the area, so Jordan recommends highlighting these wonderful amenities.
“You could say I know a local voluntary group that can help get people to the GP or hospital, or that offer befriending services,” Jordan says. “It could be expressed in a way of wanting to spread the message about a certain group, so that they don't feel attacked.”
Consider a festive gesture
A small gesture like a Christmas card could help brighten someone's day.
“Many of our Good Neighbor Network groups do things specific to Christmas, like hosting a community Christmas lunch or putting cards or small gifts on people's doors,” Jordan says. “Little festive gestures like these are really nice.”
Signal useful services
“One of our satellite projects is to spread the message of the Priority Service Registry,” Jordan says. “It's a service that a fairly wide group of people can subscribe to, including people of retirement age and people who have children under five.”
To register you need to contact your energy and/or water supplier directly, either online, by phone or in writing.
“If there is a power or water outage and you have signed up for the registry, you will be one of the first people contacted,” explains Jordan.
Offer to help with errands.
If you know your neighbor can't drive, you can ask them if they want a ride to the shops or if they have any upcoming hospital appointments.
“Many of our Good Neighbor Network groups offer medical transportation, but it's not just about getting them to the hospital,” Jordan says. “It's the assurance that someone will show up at a certain time and take some of the worry out of your hospital appointment.
“It's also about knowing that they are going to talk on the way there and on the way back. Most of our volunteers will take them to the hospital or GP's office and wait for them. So there is also that important element of moral support.”
Introduce them to a lunch club.
“Many local groups offer lunch clubs, which are a really good way to get people out of their house and into a warm environment to have a cup of tea and a chat to someone they wouldn't normally talk to,” says Jordan.
