Get ready to ignite community connections with the Creating Connected Communities toolkit!
This dynamic resource is your go-to guide for individual, community groups and organisations looking to spark inspiration and transform ideas into unforgettable events and projects to address social isolation and loneliness across our community.
This Meet the Neighbours toolkit provides an overview of ideas to help you get started and includes specific details such as ideal group sizes, necessary materials, and budget-friendly tips Each event comes with a step-by-step “how-to” guide, making it a breeze for you to bring your vision to life.
Whether you are organising an intimate teambuilding retreat or a vibrant community celebration, this toolkit empowers you to explore a variety of creative ideas, tailor them to your unique audience, and craft memorable experiences that bring people together.
Let’s connect and nurture our neighbourhoods!
CHIEF EXECTUIVE OFFICER
TanyaStevenson
How to use this kit
To use the Event Suggestion Guide, start by browsing through the event ideas to find one that suits your community group or organisation's goals and resources
Each suggestion includes an overview of the event, recommended group size, a list of materials needed, and estimated costs.
Once you have selected an event, follow the detailed "howto" guide provided to plan and organise it step by step.
This toolkit simplifies the process, making it easy to adapt and execute the event idea for your unique needs, ensuring a successful and enjoyable experience for all participants.
This toolkit contains guides for the following events: Chat Tent
Community Outreach -Meet the Neigbours
Kindness Cards
Kindness Postcards
Mens Table
Slow Checkout
Chat tent MEET THE NEIGHBOURS
A "chat tent" is a dedicated space, often set up at events, festivals, or community gatherings, where participants can come together to engage in meaningful conversations. It provides a relaxed and welcoming environment for people to share ideas, stories, and experiences with others, fostering connection and dialogue. The benefits to participants
Chat tent
How to Deliver
Define the Purpose:
Clearly establish the chat tent’s objectives and identify the target audience to ensure it meets their needs.
Location and Size:
Choose a prominent, accessible spot for the tent and ensure it’s large enough to accommodate the expected number of participants.
Tent and Furniture Setup:
Set up a sturdy, weather-resistant tent with comfortable seating and tables to facilitate easy conversation and interaction
Decor and Ambience:
Create a cozy and inviting atmosphere with soft lighting, decorations, and sound management to enhance the conversation experience.
Facilitation Tools:
Provide discussion prompts, clear signage, and, if needed, facilitators to guide and
MEET THE NEIGHBOURS
Community Outreach Event
Get your organisation out and about in the community with the Meet the Neighbours
Outreach Trailer Invite your team, families and clients to come along and join the fun
The trailer is fitted out with over 25 fun large outdoor games and activities, including giant chess, frisbee golf, corn hole and various other games and sporting activities. There is something for all ages, young and old.
Organisers:
Meet the Neighbours Outreach Trailer
food and drinks if providing esky with ice
disposable utensils, plates and cups
rubbish bags
sunscreen wet wipes
hand sanitiser
music player and speakers
Guests
picnic rugs, chairs
sunscreen wet wipes
hand sanitiser
food and drinks (if not providing) gold coins for donation or purchasing extras.
Community Outreach Event
Cost:
Determining how much to charge per head for a park event depends on several factors, including the total cost of the event and any additional considerations. Here are the steps to calculate a reasonable cost to hold your event:
Base Cost Per Person = Number of Attendees Total Expense
How to Deliver:
To prepare for a fun day in the park, follow these steps: Plan the Date and Time: Check the weather forecast and choose a suitable day. 1.
Invite Friends and Family: Send out invitations and confirm attendance 2
Make a List: Create a checklist of items to bring based on the activities planned.
4.
3. Reserve the Spot: If the park allows reservations for picnic spots or pavilions, book one in advance.
A Few Days Before:
Shop for Supplies: Purchase food, drinks and any other necessary items. 1. Prepare non-perishable food: Foods that can be stored for a couple of days. 2. Check Eq i ment Ens re eq i ment is in orking order 3
MEET THE NEIGHBOURS
Kindness Cards
Kindness Cards are small, thoughtfully designed cards with positive messages or quotes meant to express gratitude, appreciation, or encouragement. They add a personal touch through handwritten notes, fostering a culture of kindness and positivity in various settings like workplaces, schools, and communities By distributing them to friends, colleagues, or even strangers, Kindness Cards help build stronger relationships and create a more supportive and uplifting environment.
Group Size:
Ideal for small and large number of people
Materials Needed:
Kindness Card PDF or create your own cards to use.
Cost:
Printing costs: this can include the cost of in house printing materials such as ink and card stock/paper, or cost from professional printing.
Kindness Cards
How to Deliver:
Using kindness cards throughout an organisation can be a simple yet effective way to promote a positive work culture and boost employee morale. Here’s how you can implement them:
1. Design and Distribution: Provide a supply of attractive, branded kindness cards in common areas like break rooms, near the coffee machine, or in the lobby. Ensure everyone has easy access to them.
Introduction and Awareness: Launch the initiative with an announcement from leadership, explaining the purpose and benefits of kindness cards. Use emails, team meetings, and posters to create awareness.
2. Encourage Participation: Encourage employees to use the cards to acknowledge and appreciate their colleagues' efforts Highlight examples of thoughtful messages and encourage sharing of success stories.
3. Incorporate into Meetings: Dedicate a few minutes at the beginning or end of meetings for team members to write and share kindness cards, fostering a habit of regular appreciation
4. Management Involvement: Have managers and leaders actively participate by writing and distributing kindness cards to their team members, setting a positive example.
5. Celebrate and Share: Create a bulletin board or digital space where employees can post received kindness cards (with permission), celebrating the positive interactions publicly.
7.
6. Track and Reflect: Periodically gather feedback on the initiative’s impact and make any necessary adjustments. Reflect on the positive changes observed in the organisational culture.
By making kindness cards an integral part of daily interactions and organisational practices, you can cultivate a more positive, supportive, and engaged workplace.
MEET THE NEIGHBOURS
Kindness Postcards
Introducing kindness postcards into your organisation can significantly boost morale because it fosters a culture of appreciation and positivity. When employees receive handwritten notes recognising their efforts and contributions, it not only makes them feel valued and appreciated but also encourages a supportive and collaborative work environment. This simple act of kindness can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved team cohesion, and a more positive overall workplace atmosphere.
Group Size:
Ideal for small and large number of people
Materials Needed:
Kindness Postcard PDF or create your own cards to use.
Cost:
Printing costs: this can include the cost of in house printing materials such as ink and card stock/paper, or cost from professional printing.
Kindness Postcards
How to Deliver:
Introducing kindness postcards into your organisation can be done through a thoughtful and organised approach Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Present the idea to company leaders, highlighting the potential benefits for employee morale, engagement, and overall workplace culture.
Create attractive and branded postcards. Ensure they are visually appealing and leave space for personalized messages or you can purchase/download predesigned printables
Announce the kindness postcard initiative through internal communication channels such as emails, team meetings, and company newsletters. Explain the purpose and how it works.
Place postcard stations in common areas such as break rooms, the cafeteria, or near the entrance Ensure there are enough supplies (postcards, pens, etc )
Encourage Participation: Motivate employees to write postcards by sharing examples of positive messages. Highlight how small acts of kindness can make a significant impact.
Lead by Example: Have leaders and managers participate actively by writing and distributing postcards. Their involvement will set a positive tone and encourage others to join in.
Share success stories and positive feedback during company meetings or through internal communications. Recognize the difference the initiative is making.
Ensure that the process of writing and delivering postcards is simple and convenient. Consider having a drop box for completed postcards to be distributed by a designated person or team.
Collect feedback from employees to understand the initiative’s impact and identify any areas for improvement Use this feedback to refine the process and keep it effective and engaging
Men’s Table MEET THE NEIGHBOURS
A "Men's Table" is used as a group or gathering setting designed specifically for men to come together for various purposes such as support and mental health, social connection, skill sharing and mentorship. A Men's Table can be highly adaptable, depending on the needs and interests of the group, and can serve as a valuable resource for fostering connection, growth, and support among men.
Men’s Table
How to Deliver:
Define the Purpose and Goals
Determine the focus of the Men’s Talk events whether it’s for mental health support, social interaction, community building, or discussing specific topics relevant to men. Outline what you want to achieve with each event, such as providing a safe space for open discussions, fostering connections, or raising awareness on specific issues.
Select Suitable Public Spaces
Choose easily accessible public spaces ensuring they are comfortable such as parks, community centres, or public squares. Contact local authorities or the venue management to check availability and book the space Consider a location that provides some privacy with seating, shade, and noise levels conducive to conversation.
Obtain Necessary Permissions
Ensure to obtain permits or approvals and comply with any local regulations regarding noise, group size, and use of public spaces
Plan the Event Structure
Decide on a regular time and date for the event and develop a loose agenda for each session, including time for introductions, discussion topics, and any activities. Keep it flexible to allow for organic conversations.
MEET THE NEIGHBOURS
Slow Checkout
cashiers and others, and encourage a mindful shopping experience by reducing the rush and stress. The extra time can also help customers avoid impulsive purchases, spot discounts, and feel less pressured, which is particularly valuable for those who prefer a relaxed pace or who may have anxiety in fast-paced environments. Overall, slow checkouts emphasize the human element of shopping, enhancing the overall experience for some individuals.
Group Size:
For all individuals, including elderly and youth. This can also be a great facility for families to teach youth how to purchase goods and responsible spending.
Materials Needed:
Staff training, dedicated checkout lane, clear communication to let customers know that a slow checkout option is available, flexible scheduling, customer feedback to continuously improve the service, inclusive design, ensure that POS systems are user-friendly
Cost:
Estimated costs would include staffing and training, infrastructure setup, technology and software, marketing, other organisational miscellaneous costs.
Slow Checkout
How to Deliver:
Needs Assessment and Planning:
Conduct market research and feasibility studies to determine the need and viability of a slow checkout.
Design and Development:
Lane Designation: Choose a location within the store that is easily accessible and visible to customers. Install necessary infrastructure, such as a dedicated counter, signage, and any required accessibility features and equip the slow checkout with reliable POS systems, ensuring they are easy to use and support the slower pace.
Staff Training and Development:
Train and assign dedicated staff to provide personalised, patient service at the slow checkout.
Customer Communication and Marketing:
Inform customers about the slow checkout through signage and marketing campaigns
Pilot Program:
Test the slow checkout with a pilot run, making adjustments based on feedback and performance.
Full Implementation:
Officially launch the slow checkout and provide ongoing support to staff.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Collect feedback and track performance metrics to evaluate and improve the service.
Sustainability and Expansion:
Develop a long-term strategy to sustain and potentially expand the slow checkout service.
