From the Footpath · Sutherland Shire
It takes a village.
Be a good neighbour.
From the Footpath helps Sutherland Shire neighbours be that village. Lend a hand, back a local business and get to know the people on your street, so no parent, child or neighbour has to go it alone.
Three ways to help
Pick one. Start small.
- Lend a handSmall acts, done by neighbours. A card in a letterbox, a chat over the fence, a hot meal for someone who could use one.Offer helpAsk or nominateCard dropSee ways to help
- Back localLocal businesses are neighbours too. Find them, call in, and help the shops and cafes around the corner do well.Local directoryOn the mapJoin freeFind local businesses
- Get connectedWalks, meet-ups and a hello on your own street. The best cure for a quiet week is a familiar face.Local walksMeet-upsShare a walkFind a walk or meet-up
Who’s behind it
Hello, neighbours. We’re Jen and Chrissie.
- next-door neighbours
- 2
- next-door neighbours
- kids between us
- 6
- kids between us
- shared fence
- 1
- shared fence
We learned it takes a village. Our neighbours and the local businesses around the corner got us through babies, lockdowns and the school run. Now we want to help that village grow across the Shire.
Meet Jen and ChrissieWhy it matters
Loneliness is quieter than you’d think.
Plenty of neighbours go days without a proper chat, and it’s often the people next door. A hello, a card or a hot meal goes a long way. We make it easy to be the one who does it.
Not ready to ask for help?
Start with a hello.
Connection doesn’t have to begin with a big ask. Here are three gentle ways in, at your own pace.
- Come along to a walkWalk with neighbours at your own pace. You can simply listen if you like.
- Send a cardPop a friendly note in a neighbour’s letterbox. No reply needed.
- Say hello on your streetA wave, a name, a chat over the fence. Share a walk and invite someone along.
Prefer to talk to a person, or not keen on apps? Email Fromthefootpath@outlook.com and we’ll help you find a way in.
Know someone on their own?
Ask for a hand for yourself, or nominate a neighbour. They have to say yes first. Volunteers are checked, and no one who asks for help ever appears on a map or a list.
Ask or nominateThis isn’t an emergency service. If someone is in danger or unwell, call 000.
Right now
Shire Lights is how we’re starting.
Christmas lights across Sutherland Shire, on one map. Walk them with the family and say hello on the way.
18sleeps until the lights go on
See Shire LightsLights on from 1 December.
For local businesses
Own a local business? You’re a neighbour, too.
Join free and put your business on the map. Got other ideas for working together? Get in touch, we’d love to hear them.
Or email Fromthefootpath@outlook.com
Beyond the Shire
Not in the Shire? Tell us your area.
We’re starting here, but every street could use a village. Tell us where you are and we’ll let you know when we’re heading your way.
Tell us your areaOr email Fromthefootpath@outlook.com
Spread the word
Know a neighbour who’d love this?
Send it to one person. That’s how a street, then a suburb, finds out.
Free for neighbours. Backed by local businesses.
Local offers only if you opt in, and your data is never sold. Anything left after running costs goes back into local acts of kindness.
Commercially sustainable. Community owned in purpose. Locally driven.
See you on the footpath.
Jen & Chrissie