"Celebrating the neighbourhood helpers who go above and beyond every single day" - opinion piece in The Mercury, 21 September 2024

When severe weather events hit communities around our state three weeks ago, many of us were able to call on the help of our neighbours for everything from a hot cup of tea to a shower, access to internet and shared commiserations.

While the amazing services of the SES, TasNetworks and other emergency supports took care of the big issues of flooding, damaged roofs and downed power lines, we were able to count on each other for what we might call the smaller things; kind comforts during a stressful time and bonding with others over our shared experience.

Crises bring out the generosity and kindness in Tasmanians, highlighting our individual resilience and capacity to help each other.

But there is always that one neighbour who acts like this all the time, crisis or not. In 35 Tasmanian neighbourhoods that role is filled by members of the Neighbourhood House Network. These Houses, located in communities from New Norfolk to Geeveston, Beaconsfield, Zeehan and many places in between, are run by local people who provide the welcoming spaces and connections that people need.

Every year tens of thousands of people in these communities benefit from the daily kindness, care and assistance Houses provide.

The Houses proven formula of authentically reflecting the characters of their local communities and squeezing every bit of help and opportunity they can from their budgets means their work is the very definition of neighbourly.

Houses provide a warm welcome to the socially isolated, supporting people to connect with and navigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis, housing difficulties and much more while also creating individual social connections. They are warm, personal places that respect and respond to the individual needs of those who come through their doors.

Each community’s Neighbourhood House is a vital part of the fabric of support that builds local resilience and capability around our State. Together, Tasmania’s Neighbourhood House Network represents the best of our culture of kindness and warm support for each other.

This week, almost 200 House managers, community connectors, staff and volunteers have gathered in St Helens at the annual Neighbourhood House Conference to do something they rarely ever do; take time to reflect on and celebrate what we’ve achieved together during the past 12 months.

Not only does the Conference give us a chance to stop and look at all we’ve done in our own communities, but we also get to see that our combined efforts are vital to what makes them the places where we love to live.

I have no doubt that our State’s Neighbourhood House Network will return to their communities at the end of the week, ready to build on their positive impact and continue being the best neighbours local people could ask for.

Simone Zell is the CEO of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, the peak body representing the state’s 35-Neighbourhood Houses.