Despite people being more isolated than ever, Newtown mother-of-two Angie Hilton says she knows her neighbours even better than before.
The Geelong Coast Kids contributing editor is one of 16 co-ordinators connecting residents in their streets through the Next Door initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Before the coronavirus we only knew the people across the road and next door,” Angie said.
“We now know 32 families up and down the street!”
The OneHope Baptist Church initiative had connected about 300 households across Geelong to help out in their streets with groceries and other support, Angie explained.
Angie shops for an elderly couple and other residents in her street through the initiative, to keep those most at risk from COVID-19 “away from the supermarket”.
“I just put their shopping on their doorstep and they put the money in my bank account,” she said.
“They’re really grateful and it just gives me the joy of being able to help people when I don’t really have a purpose at the moment.”
Angie started the initiative in her street with letters which included a private Facebook group and her phone number.
A few residents had since left Easter eggs or “delicious” homemade muffins on her doorstep, she added.
The residents share their stories and get to know each other through the page, Angie said.
“It’s a great way to alert the whole street if something’s going on as well. I love the fact that it’s broken down barriers and shown each other who we are.”
Details: info@onehope.org.au.
