Creating community connections

Social connection is an important factor that shapes our everyday lives and our individual and collective wellbeing. Strengthening ties with others fosters a sense of belonging and creates safer, more vibrant communities.

Explore some ways to get to know people in the community, build a more connected and cohesive neighbourhood, make a difference to the lives of others and help to create the type of community we all want to live in.

Benefits of knowing your neighbours

Whether you live in an apartment or a house, there are many reasons why you should get to know your neighbours, including:

Safer, healthier and more vibrant suburbs;
Help keeping an eye on your place, collecting your mail or putting your bins out while you’re away;
Assistance in emergencies;
Easier management of disputes such as noise or parking;
Protection of elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged people; and
Strong neighbourhood networks that can extend to shared childcare, carpooling, dog-walking, bulk shopping, house-sitting, a shared library of garden or DIY tools, or shared storage space.

Neighbour Day

Held annually on the last Sunday in March, Neighbour Day is the perfect day to catch up with your neighbours and increase social connections.

Participating in Neighbour Day could be as simple as saying talking to a neighbour in the street, inviting a neighbour over for a tea or coffee, taking your elderly neighbour’s bin out or even hosting a barbecue, morning tea or picnic!

Council can help you organise a gathering by providing information on how to book a venue or open space and help you to promote it. For resources about hosting a Neighbour Day event and some great tips for building an inclusive community, visit Neighbours Every Day.

Street Play

A Street Play event involves temporarily limiting vehicular traffic on a section of road or participating streets to allow children and families to play and socialise safely while bringing the community closer together.

Find out more about Waverley Council’s Street Play initiative, including the steps involved in organising an event.

Community groups

Joining a community group is a great way to meet people, make a difference to the lives of others and help to create the type of community people are proud to be a part of.

Explore some of Waverley’s community groups below.

Other ways you can stay connected range from taking a short course to learn a new skill to committing to a weekly fitness class or meetup. Check out some options below for inspiration.

For more inspiration, see Local sporting clubs and regular activities, or for a comprehensive list of volunteering opportunities, visit Volunteering in Waverley.

Starting a neighbourhood project

Community-led placemaking harnesses the creativity and energy of residents to transform neglected areas through quick, short-term and low-cost initiatives. Neighbourhood Improvement Projects build a sense of pride in and ownership of public spaces and are a great way to get more involved in your community.

A good place to start is by knocking on doors in your building or street to explain your ideas and gather feedback on a community project or initiative you’re considering. Neighbourhood gatherings are a great way of trialling or getting feedback – invite your neighbours to a barbecue, picnic or afternoon tea at your home, on your street or in a local park or reserve.

Council encourages everyone to be actively involved in shaping what their area looks and feels like and works with residents and businesses to pilot projects that respond to the community’s needs. For examples of projects, refer to Urban design.

For more information or help kick starting your project or organising a gathering, email connected@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 9083 8916.

Stay in the loop

Find out about opportunities and events by subscribing to Council’s newsletters.

Subscribe now

We are here to help

For more information or help with ideas, email connected@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 9083 8916.

Quick links