Neighbouring: a verb.
“The act of safely reaching out to neighbours to make sure they are supported in a time of need.” That’s the premise behind the new Neighbouring platform, as explained at neighbouring.org.
It addresses a question many good neighbours are asking themselves: at a time when we’re ordered to stay apart, how do we help?
As the website says, social distancing doesn’t mean people should abandon one another: “More than ever it is important that we check in on our neighbours and safely help them where we can.”
The platform was developed by St. John’s residents Neria Aylward and Trevor Hickey, after they were connected by Coun. Hope Jamieson because they were both working towards the same goal.
“For a place like St. John’s, we’re surrounded by people, but sometimes you are surrounded by strangers - and we don’t necessarily have to be strangers,” said Hickey.
Snowmageddon exposed need
He said the idea first came about during Snowmageddon and the state of emergency in January which brought to light many of the needs in the community, for example, around food security and the lack of a support network for many people who are vulnerable.
“It really got us, at the time, thinking about those people who don’t have that network - don’t have that family that’s going to check in on them, that’s going to call them to see how they’re doing, and if they need anything. And the call itself is the thing.
“We thought it would be nice if there was someone out there, or people out there, just checking in on each other. And we had no idea that two months later the concept would be so relevant again.”
The idea is that people visit the website to see which neighbourhood teams already exist. If there’s a team established for their neighbourhood, they can help to call people on a certain street — just to check in and see if they need anything.
Currently, there are neighbourhood “pods” established for the Rabbittown and Georgestown neighbourhoods, and there’s also a non-geographical team to help people all across the metro area who are a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The 2SLGBTQ+ team has its own Donor Box fundraiser, already raising over $1,000 in one day. With that money, so far they’ve delivered five grocery hampers and other essential items, such as hygiene products and household cleaners.
Aylward said it’s a basic concept based on extending the natural networks people have with friends or family to people who might not have those organic networks. She said the goal is to help neighbours with little things that make a big difference, such as sharing information or food.
She said she hopes the networks continue long after the pandemic ends.
“Hopefully after this you’ll have a network to call up your neighbours and have a neighbourhood barbecue. It’s just always better to know more folks in your community, and just be a little bit more interconnected, especially in a time like this when people are feeling isolated.”
Funding for food
So far, the group has received $2,500 in funding from Food First NL that will be used to distribute groceries and essentials throughout the neighbourhood networks.
The 2SLGBTQ+ team has its own Donor Box fundraiser, already raising over $1,000 in one day. With that money, so far they’ve delivered five grocery hampers and other essential items, such as hygiene products and household cleaners.
They’ve also partnered with Fishing for Success to help deliver pre-cooked meals of fish every Friday.
“I’m just hoping that this reaches as many people as possible, so that nobody gets left out,” said Jude Benoit, one of the leaders of the 2SLGBTQ+ team.
Hickey said the initiative is simply about connecting people.
“If people see the platform, or see the idea, and they just pick up the phone and call a neighbour, then that’s job done - that’s what we want.” -Trevor Hickey
He said it can be that simple and still make a difference, but people can also contribute on a larger scale by organizing with others to help bring entire neighbourhoods together.
“The main goal is basically just to make sure that no one’s left behind right now. There’s a lot of people out there who are vulnerable at the best of times, and it’s not the best of times. So, they’re even more vulnerable today.
“From the people we’ve called, they’ve just been delighted to have someone call - it’s usually just a quick phone call.”
Any individuals or service groups who would like to volunteer to help establish a neighbourhood team, or contribute to an existing one, can visit neighbouring.org.
Anyone needing help can also visit the website, and anyone who identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ can email [email protected] or visit the Facebook group 2SLGBTQ+ Neighbouring Pod 2020.
Twitter: @juanitamercer_
