The
sun is setting faster, and we’re caught in the flurry of all that
happens as another year comes to an end. From conferences and workshops
to reports and wrap-ups, it’s been a whirlwind end to an already
whirlwind year for Hey Neighbour Collective, and we’re so grateful
you’ve stayed connected with us through it all.
This issue is packed with updates from a busy few months.
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This summer, we released HNC’s five-year learning report.
Spanning 2019–2024, this evaluation draws from interviews, surveys,
focus groups, and publications to understand the collective’s impact,
the lessons we’ve learned, and opportunities for continued
collaboration. At its core, this report highlights the meaningful
outcomes for residents, community-based organizations, and housing
operators when we together prioritize connection and community.
Our talented writer, Rob Wipond, recently underscored the many ways in
which helping neighbours connect and support one another can especially
benefit landlords, building managers, and housing operators, in an
article he wrote for LandlordBC’s magazine The Key. Check out “Building Community is Good for Business.”
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Back in May, we gathered
200 brilliant minds in one room for two days of learning and
connection, live music, games, giveaways, and countless meaningful
conversations. For those who joined us at this year’s Living Together
symposium (and for those who couldn’t make it), our symposium summary report brings together the highlights. For an extra insider scoop, check out what some of our amazing attendees shared in their interviews. And, if you want a feel for the event itself, the Living Together 2025 video captures all that energy and brilliance in just 13 amazing minutes.
We’d love to keep this momentum going! If your organization is currently
working on (or planning to work on) initiatives related to loneliness
and social isolation, supporting aging in place, climate adaptation and
nature-based solutions, or emergency preparedness, we’d appreciate you
completing our short “Getting to Know You”
survey. As we strategically plan for the years ahead, understanding
where our work overlaps will help us identify opportunities to connect,
collaborate, and support each other in the new year.
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Our long-time partners at Happy Cities have released a new piece
exploring how the design and management of non-market homes can support
social connection, wellbeing, and belonging. The article highlights
inspiring examples from right here in British Columbia, including Móytel
Lalém, Vienna House, and Timbre & Harmony, that demonstrate how
thoughtfully designed shared spaces can help residents feel a sense of
belonging and connectedness.
If you’re curious about the design principles behind these ideas
(like intentionally designed lobbies, amenity spaces, and courtyards),
you can dive deeper into these ideas in our Building Social Connections
toolkit.
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In other exciting news, our friends at Building Resilient Neighbourhoods have released their scaling pilot report for the Neighbours Helping Neighbours (NHN)
program. Asking the question, “What if our neighbours became everyday
sources of support that help us strengthen social connectedness and stay
in our homes longer as we age in the right place?”, they developed NHN
to bring residents of multi-unit buildings together, with an emphasis on
engaging older adults. The pilot encouraged participants to learn about
the value of neighbourly support and collaborate on actions that
strengthen mutual support and resilience.
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And finally, have you ever thought about how the spaces where we gather shape the way we connect? That was the focus of The Walrus Talk on Space and Belonging,
where HNC’s director, Michelle Hoar, joined an incredible panel of
speakers. Together, they explored the many dimensions of space, place,
and belonging, and offered insight into what truly fosters a sense of
community. A huge thank-you to the Walrus team for inviting us into this
thoughtful conversation.
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This issue is filled
with work we hope you find inspiring. As always, we’ve included
articles, webinars, and podcasts at the end that have piqued our
interest. We hope you enjoy!
We can hardly believe we’re saying this already, but…happy holidays!
Wishing you a wonderful end to 2025, and all the best for 2026.
Warmly,
The Hey Neighbour Collective team
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