Mt Gravatt Qld Community Alliance listened and responded to stories of social isolation across our suburbs in a systematic and innovative way.
We have initiated and through Mt Gravatt Community Centre, ran an international leading social prescribing network, "Ways to Wellness."
You can find more info here: www.waystowellness.org.au and on Facebook here.
Community organising has won half a million dollars from Qld State Government and the Federal Government, as well as an Australian Research Council Linkage grant with the University of Qld.
This has been managed from Mt Gravatt Community Centre and is having a transformational impact on individuals and people within our community.
Mt Gravatt leaders are now starting their next project: deepening the social fabric of our neighbourhoods.
Whether natural or economic disaster we know that two things are critical in a crisis: relationships (horizontal bonds between people in a neighbourhood) & coordination (vertical bonds that connect people to decision making power.)
A group of leaders across this neighbourhood have come together during the pandemic to think about how we can strengthen out community through and after after the pandemic. The Prime Minister is preparing the community for six months of “lockdown.” Whilst the initial threat of covid-2019 may ease, there will be deep economic repercussions and social impacts for people in our streets so we need to be able to adapt to what is happening for people. So we’ve decided to connect our streets and neighbours by, by doing “solidarity community organising.” And we want you to be involved!
Interested? Get involved by filling this online form out here. We will get in touch!
What’s the point?
o Build and connect us to our neighbours! Reach out to those vulnerable and disconnected
o Build relationships across our organisations. Listen to stories and build our community power to act together on what we hear!
How will it work?
o People will be divided up into suburb areas. Each suburb area will start by letterboxing our streets. People are connected on “Whatsapp”
o People can choose to put their own name on the flyer, but they will all ring a central number- Sandra (from St. Clements Church)! She connects people back to their neighbours. Each suburb will build relationships with their neighbours and give support where needed.
o As restrictions ease we will want to hear stories, connect our community and act together for what we hear, like we have with building the Ways to Wellness social isolation Project.
What is community solidarity and why does this work matter?
‘Solidarity is a recognition that we are 'all in this together,' and is a commitment to strengthen community and promote a just society.
Versions of community or social solidarity during a pandemic is discussed in detail in The Conversation as well as featured in this research here
Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/QCAMtGravattSolidarity/?ref=bookmarks
Interested? Get involved by filling this online form out here. We will get in touch!