With support from the Neighbourhood Small Grant fund, our goal was to create welcoming, low-barrier gathering opportunities that helped neighbours connect, learn, and celebrate together. Most gatherings welcomed between 10 and 20 neighbours, with a wide mix of ages, backgrounds, and life experiences represented each time.
Coming Together to Listen and Learn:
One of our most meaningful gatherings was an All Neighbours Meeting held at the community hall. Using NSG funds to provide simple refreshments, we created a comfortable space where people could settle in and stay awhile. Guest speakers from our local Regional District shared their findings on sea level rise and the potential impacts on our neighbourhoods. The conversation that followed was thoughtful and engaged, with neighbours asking questions and sharing perspectives.
Summer Connection on the beach at ts’ukw’um:
In the summer, we gathered outdoors to enjoy a beach fire, and a new bocce set purchased with NSG support helped create an easy atmosphere. This gathering reminded us that simple activities and familiar places can create a strong sense of belonging.
A Joyful Winter Celebration
Our Community Holiday Party brought us together to share treats, door prizes, and live music by a local, social ukulele group. The hall was filled with conversation and music. It was a joyful evening that offered a chance to reconnect and enjoy one another’s company.
Partnerships and Unexpected Reach:
NSG funds also helped us purchase craft supplies for our Spring Celebration, delivered in partnership with Rotary Sunshine Coast. This free event welcomed more than 200 neighbours from across the Sunshine Coast, far exceeding our typical attendance! Families, children, seniors, and volunteers came together in our community-owned green space. This experience highlighted the power of partnerships and showed how community connections can grow in unexpected ways.
What We Learned:
As the year unfolded, we learned that our original scope included too many events. By intentionally scaling back and focusing on key gathering moments, we were better able to support volunteers and create more meaningful experiences.
The NSG fund helped us strengthen relationships and encourage participation across our neighbourhoods. We intended to carry these gatherings into the new year and hope to expand to regular social evenings that bring us together in our community spaces.
