This week, council will begin an online digital campaign on its corporate Facebook page and website that will deliver weekly tips and messages of encouragement to help combat social isolation, loneliness and community disconnection.
Like many acts of kindness starting to emerge online by other councils and organisations, Federation Council officers have developed a free postcard that can be downloaded from council’s website. Residents can print out the postcard and pop it in their neighbour’s mailbox using good hand hygiene or screenshot and send to their neighbours electronically.
Anyone is welcome to use this and council urges residents, businesses, community organisations and other councils to share it with their communities. Participants are also encouraged to share their community spirit on social media by using the hashtag #ourcommunitymovement.
The ‘Our Community Movement’ campaign encourages people to get to know their fellow neighbours and assist those who may be isolated or cannot get out and travel around or are having difficulties coping, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said Federation Council was well-known for its community spirit and resilient ‘can do’ attitude and called on all residents to get on board.
“What we’re asking people to do is please reach out and check on your neighbours, especially our older neighbours,” Mayor Bourke said.
“It could be something as simple as leaving one of these postcards in your neighbour’s mailbox and offering to purchase a few groceries for them if they’re in social isolation, helping to put their bins out or even just writing down your phone number so they have someone to call if they need to have a chat. This also gives people a chance to connect in ways we might not have considered and result in lifelong friendships.”
Mayor Bourke said there is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact on the way we all live our lives, how we move about in our community, how we work and how we interact with one another.
“It is fair to say that no community will be left unscathed from this event – and the predictions are it will prevail for at least the next six months,” he said.
For further information, visit council’s corporate Facebook page, or website here: www.federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au
