The group serving up more than coffee

Believe Housing Australia tenants and neighbours Deb, Pam, and Pete catch up for a cuppa and a chat every week at Deb’s house.

Deb decided to start hosting regular gatherings with her neighbours when she noticed a lack of social interaction in her local community and personal life.

“I found that my mental health was deteriorating when I didn’t talk to people every day, and I was missing human contact,” Deb said.

“I wanted to host these small gatherings at my house because I understand how people who live alone feel when they go home. There’s nobody there and it’s lonely.

“My neighbours can come over, have a cuppa and get to know each other. It doesn’t matter if only two people come – anyone who needs to talk to somebody on that day is welcome.”

More than four years in, the group is still going strong, with attendees not wanting to miss the opportunity for a weekly catch-up.

“COVID-19 tried to separate us, but the isolation and loneliness we all felt without the group motivated us to continue meeting where possible,” Deb said.

“We needed human contact and to be able to talk freely.”

Pam said the group had helped her feel less socially isolated and had significantly improved her mental health.

“The group is so supportive and something I look forward to every week. We catch up and the conversation flows,” Pam said.

“There’s no judgment when you talk about your problems – everyone is there to listen.

“We also can joke around and have a good laugh. You leave the group feeling good about yourself because you are making someone else happy and brightening up their day.”

Pam said being neighbourly did not take much effort.

“Good friends are hard to come by, but Deb and Pete are two of them,” Pam said.

“Deb checks on me regularly and has helped me many times. Her concern in making sure I was okay is what being a good neighbour is all about.”

Deb said that everyone should take the opportunity to get to know their neighbours, whether it’s going for a walk with them around the block, popping in to say hello, or having a chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

“It’s important to have a good relationship with your neighbours and local community,” Deb said.

“They are there for support and will look after you. I know that if I was ever in trouble, I could call on one of my neighbours and they would be there to help.”