Community Member Stories

6 Ways to Help Your Neighbours During Coronavirus

Written by Jennie Sager

Connecting with your neighbours is important in good times and essential in times of need. As the situation with coronavirus unfolds, we continue to be inspired by how neighbours are coming together to offer support, lend a hand, and stay connected with their local communities.

Here are some things that you can do to stay connected to your community on Nextdoor.

1. Volunteer to help neighbours in need 

Daily activities may be risky for more vulnerable neighbours. That’s why, on March 20,  we introduced the Help Map – an interactive map of your neighbourhood where you can mark yourself as someone who can pitch in for neighbours who need it. Whether you are able to drop off groceries for homebound people or hop on the phone to check in on elderly and at risk neighbours, add yourself to the map and share how you can support others. Neighbours in need of assistance can then message you through the Help Map.

2. Create or join a group to stay connected

During periods of physical distancing, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. By joining or creating a Nextdoor Group, you can easily stay connected with your neighbours, communicate about topics you care about, and organise ways to help each other. You can create a Group just for your neighbourhood, your nearby neighbourhoods, or a city-wide Group so that neighbours have a wider area to call on for support. For example, try organising a group for parents to stay connected during school closures or around ways to stay entertained during the lockdown.

3. Support local businesses

We know that local businesses are the cornerstone of thriving neighbourhoods. But as we do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some local businesses have closed their doors and some are struggling to stay afloat. It is more important than ever to show your love for your community and continue to support local businesses during these challenging times. Consider buying gift cards to use later, ordering takeaway or delivery, or placing online orders through the shop’s website.  If you own a local business, see our blog about new features we’ve released to help you during this time: New Product Features for Local Businesses during Covid-19

4. Share resources

As more people prepare to stay at home, some shops are selling out of basic supplies quickly. If you have extra toilet paper, hand sanitiser, or other necessities, why not share the bounty with your neighbours? Just be sure that you follow social distancing guidelines while dropping off any deliveries.

5. Donate your talents and time

Many families are struggling to keep up with their daily routines with school closures and working from home. If you are healthy and able, consider offering to help by offering to walk a neighbour’s dog if they are homebound, help set up a home office virtually if you know how, or offer online fitness tutorials.  Students may also benefit from a virtual tutoring session if you specialise in a particular subject area! Maybe even offer to give a house bound neighbour a call for a chat!

6. Most importantly, be kind 

At times like this, we could all use a bit of neighbourly kindness to lift our spirits. Nextdoor members have kept their neighbours smiling with simple gestures like displaying a bear in their window, buying a meal for a stranger, and even sharing pictures of their adorable pets.

We love this post from Grant Cassar in Melbourne, he has created an entire window in his front room dedicated to bringing smiles to children’s faces. He switches out the display each week to entertain his eight year old daughter and all of the other kids in the neighbourhood!

We also love seeing what your work-from-home space looks like, and we loved seeing this post from one member being greeted by a Koala in the tree whilst working from home.  

Seeing heart warming images and hearing good news stories is often just the reprieve we need and highlights that whilst we may be physically distancing ourselves from one another, that we are still stronger together. 


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