In celebration of Neighbour day, which is held on the last Sunday of March each year, Relationships Australia asked website users how their relationships to their community had changed during the natural disasters which occurred across Australia during January and February of this year. Given the COVID-19 crisis, these findings have particular resonance. They provide promising insights into how social upheaval can influence the way we socially connect with our communities, beyond crisis recovery.<\/p>\n
Key Findings <\/h2>\n\n- 83% of people who experienced a change in their relationships with their neighbours experienced a positive change.<\/li>\n
- People who have more opportunities to meet others in their community were 2.9 times more likely to experience positive community relationship changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Previous Research <\/h2>\n
Relationships Australia has conducted a significant amount of research through our Neighbour Day campaign and in collaboration with universities, investigating how creating stronger communities may reduce loneliness and mental ill-health.<\/p>\n
\n- During January and February of this year, our online survey<\/a> found that 74% of people identify with their neighbours, 67% are willing to help their neighbours, 65% trust their neighbours, yet only 47% described their neighbourhood as close-knit. Of course, given current circumstances, many are connecting with their neighbours socially for the first time (see ABC article<\/a>). <\/li>\n
- Our\u00a02018 Neighbour Day report<\/a><\/span> conducted by the Swinburne University of Technology, found that Neighbour day can lead to continued interactions after the event, increasing neighbourhood trust and, ultimately, perceptions of neighbourhood safety. This often meant people were more willing to offer support to one another (Long & Lim 2018).<\/li>\n
- Our\u00a02019 report<\/a>, conducted by the Australian National University, found that people who hosted Neighbour Day events had an increased sense of identification with their neighbourhood, an increased sense of belonging; and perceived their neighbourhood environment more positively (Cruwys, Fong, Robinson & Mance 2019).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Previous Research <\/h2>\n
Relationships Australia has conducted a significant amount of research through our Neighbour Day campaign and in collaboration with universities, investigating how creating stronger communities may reduce loneliness and mental ill-health.<\/p>\n
- \n
- During January and February of this year, our online survey<\/a> found that 74% of people identify with their neighbours, 67% are willing to help their neighbours, 65% trust their neighbours, yet only 47% described their neighbourhood as close-knit. Of course, given current circumstances, many are connecting with their neighbours socially for the first time (see ABC article<\/a>). <\/li>\n
- Our\u00a02018 Neighbour Day report<\/a><\/span> conducted by the Swinburne University of Technology, found that Neighbour day can lead to continued interactions after the event, increasing neighbourhood trust and, ultimately, perceptions of neighbourhood safety. This often meant people were more willing to offer support to one another (Long & Lim 2018).<\/li>\n
- Our\u00a02019 report<\/a>, conducted by the Australian National University, found that people who hosted Neighbour Day events had an increased sense of identification with their neighbourhood, an increased sense of belonging; and perceived their neighbourhood environment more positively (Cruwys, Fong, Robinson & Mance 2019).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Our\u00a02018 Neighbour Day report<\/a><\/span> conducted by the Swinburne University of Technology, found that Neighbour day can lead to continued interactions after the event, increasing neighbourhood trust and, ultimately, perceptions of neighbourhood safety. This often meant people were more willing to offer support to one another (Long & Lim 2018).<\/li>\n
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