Your best resource is close to hand
Knowing your neighbours helps with the standard stuff like neighbourhood security, and the more essential stuff like borrowing some eggs for that pancake recipe you’re in the middle of making.
Did you know your neighbours could be one of your best sources of help in an emergency? In a disaster, most people are rescued by those immediately around them. Getting to know your neighbour now means you’re all more likely to look out for each other later.
Research all over the world shows us communities that are safer, friendly and connected have positive outcomes for individuals. Also knowing your neighbours means you’re more likely to bounce back quickly after stressful events.
Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2017
Helpful hints
Organise a catch-up meal or a BBQ for a fewof your neighbours in a couple of weeks. Think about holding a joint garage sale
Participate in your Residents Association or hold a community working bee, start a community garden,
Join a local Neighbourhood Support Group or your community facebook page.
Just smiling, saying hi and giving them your contact details all opens doors in your hood. is coming up the last weekend of March. It’s a chance to say hello to your neighbours, get to know who lives around you, and identify who may need a little extra assistance after an emergency.
After an event check on your neighbours and see if they are okay, especially any who may be more vulnerable. If anyone is not okay, do what you can to help. Share your resources, and take in neighbours who can’t stay in their own home for any reason.
Many of your neighbours who are ok after an emergency may be heading down to their local Community Emergency Hub to pool resources. Hubs used to be called Community Civil Defence Centres.
People in your neighbourhood may have already contributed to your local community response plan. These plans set out how your community will respond to emergency events. Check out your local community response plan on getprepared.org.nz/ response-plans