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As the festive season approaches, it becomes easy to get engrossed in personal tasks CelebrationYet extending a hand to neighbors can go a long way in combating isolation and fostering a sense of community.
Reaching out in your local area helps to make connections and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Karen Jordan, team leader of the Good Neighbors Network – a group of more than 120 local groups dedicated to community support – highlights this need.
She says: “In society we are becoming increasingly isolated and suspicious of each other, so there is a benefit in reaching out to each other Neighbour It’s that you can overcome some of those barriers and realize that we’re all very similar.”
“Reaching out to your neighbors can help you realize that we all have the same problems and concerns and sharing them can help ease that burden.”
She highlights that it is especially important at this time of year to pay attention to more vulnerable groups, such as elderly neighbors who live alone.
“A lot of our Good Neighborhood Network groups help people over the age of 65 and many of the volunteers are in that age group themselves,” says Jordan. “I think it’s also important to reach out to young families and moms who may be struggling themselves and could benefit from the conversation.”
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,” says Jordan. “Just look around and pay attention to small signs that may indicate someone is struggling.”
start a conversation
Jordan admits, “This can be difficult because the older generation is very prideful, so they often don’t want to admit that they are alone, so it can be quite a barrier.”
“I would always recommend talking about it very lightly and maybe starting with ‘If you ever want to have a chat and a cup of tea, let me know’ to help get the conversation going.”
Raise awareness of local groups and services
Your neighbor may not know about all the great local groups and activities in the area, so Jordan recommends highlighting these amazing services.
“You could say I know a local voluntary group that can help take people to the GP or hospital, or offer befriending services,” says Jordan. “You can express it in a way to spread the message about a certain group, so they don’t feel targeted.”
Consider a celebratory gesture
A small effort like a Christmas card can help brighten someone’s day.
“Many of our Good Neighbors Network groups do specific things at Christmas, such as organizing a Christmas community lunch or placing cards or small gifts on people’s doorsteps,” says Jordan. “Little celebratory gestures like this are really nice.”
Signpost Support Services
,One Our satellite projects aim to spread the message priority service register,” Jordan says. “This is a service that many people can sign up for, including people of pensionable age and those who have children under the age of five.”
To register, you will need to contact your energy and/or water supplier directly, online, by phone or in writing.
“If there is a power cut or water cut and you have signed the register, you will be one of the first people contacted,” explains Jordan.
offer help with chores
If you know your neighbor is unable to drive, you can ask them if they need a lift to the shops or to an upcoming hospital appointment.
“Many of our Good Neighbors network groups offer medical transportation, but it’s not just about getting them to the hospital,” says Jordan. “It’s the reassurance that someone will arrive at a certain time and takes away the anxiety of a hospital appointment.
“It’s also about knowing that they’ll have a chat on the way and a chat on the way back. Most of our volunteers will actually take them to the hospital or GP practice and wait for them. So, there’s that important moral support element as well.”
introduce them to lunch club
“Lots of local groups offer lunch clubs which are a great way for people to get out of their house and have a cup of tea in a warm environment and chat to someone they wouldn’t normally talk to,” says Jordan.