From Neighbour Day celebrations to prescriptions for connection, there are plenty of ways to get involved with your City of PAE community.
Prescriptions for Connection
Prescriptions for Connection is a new pilot program helping older people in our community stay healthier and more connected – not just through medicine, but through meaningful social support. We believe that with the right support, older people can stay active, engaged and living well in their communities.
Led by the Northern Community Health & Research Foundation, and in partnership with the Councils of Port Adelaide Enfield, Prospect and Walkerville, the program enables GPs and other healthcare professionals to refer older patients to local wellbeing activities and support services, like Council events, clubs, programs and social events.
This approach is known as social prescribing.
Our project is thought to be the first in Australia to trial a volunteer-led approach, unlike overseas models which rely on paid staff.
Up to one in five older Australians experience loneliness or isolation – which can lead to depression, heart disease and a decline in memory and thinking.
Many of these issues cannot be treated by medicine alone. That’s where social prescribing comes in. It helps people connect to community programs, build new relationships and take part in activities that support a healthier and happier life.
The program runs from March to September 2025 and includes:
- Trained Volunteer Connectors who work with older people to find local activities that match their interests.
- Up to six meetings between participants and a Community Connector.
- Participation from four local GP clinics across Walkerville, Prospect and Port Adelaide Enfield.
- Flinders University researchers tracking outcomes to evaluate the success of this unique model.
23 volunteers have been trained across the three council areas. Their roles include:
- Champion Community Connector
- Community Connector
- Support Volunteer
These volunteer meet with participants, help them explore their interests and guide them to local programs, events and services.
This program is made possible thanks to funding and support from:
- Northern Community Health & Research Foundation
- The Hospital Research Foundation
- Adelaide Primary Health Network (APHN)
- Flinders University
- Local Councils: Walkerville, Prospect and Port Adelaide Enfield
If you have any interest in the program as a volunteer or participant – please contact:
Beverly Braybrook, Community Services Support Officer
8405 6703
beverly. braybrook@cityofpae.sa.gov.au
Celebrate Neighbour Day
Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community, bringing together people next door, across the street and throughout the city. Neighbour Day falls on the last Sunday in March each year. For over 20 years, Neighbour Day has progressed from a reminder to connect with our elderly neighbours to a celebration of respectful relationships and strong communities.
Our communities are only as strong as the people who live in them, which is why Neighbour Day provides a chance to pause, reflect and celebrate the people who live around us. We know how vital neighbours are to each other during bushfires, floods and emergencies, but everyday actions like borrowing garden tools, collecting the mail, taking in the recycling bin or walking the kids to school are easy to forget.
Working together to create healthy, tolerant, inclusive suburbs and towns and to build social connections must be a goal for every Australian, no matter where we live or what our personal circumstances are.
Over the years, our community have told us that they like Neighbour Day because it gives them ‘permission’ or perhaps a legitimate ‘excuse’ to build connections with neighbours and try something neighbourly without feeling intrusive.
While Neighbour Day is officially celebrated on the last Sunday in March each year, the purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of social connection which makes us feel better and helps prevent loneliness and isolation. It encourages people to make meaningful connections that last beyond the day itself.
How to get involved
Each March, we collaborate with our partners across the City of PAE and other local community groups and organisations to put together a series of free events and activities across the region for everyone to enjoy.
Happy to Chat
We’ve got a great little project that’s been going strong for over a year, and we’d love for you to join in! It’s all about tackling loneliness and boosting community wellbeing, and it’s as simple as saying “hello.”
The ‘Happy to Chat’ bench is the easiest way to meet someone new. It has a sign that reads: ‘Happy to Chat: Sit Here If You Don’t Mind Someone Stopping to Say Hello’ – simple, right?
We know that social isolation is tough, and sometimes all it takes is a friendly hello to brighten someone's day (maybe even yours too!). The goal? To break down the invisible walls that separate us and create a more compassionate, inclusive community.
This gives everyone the chance to pause, share a story, and connect with someone new. And honestly, you never know – that 10-minute chat could be the highlight of both your days. 😊
Keep an eye out for our Volunteer Chatters who’ll be at the Port Plaza at certain times for extra opportunities to chat!
Here’s where you can find us:
- Wednesday - Port Adelaide Plaza: 10:00 –11:00 am
- Friday - Port Adelaide Plaza: 11:30 –12:30 pm
Want to see how this all started? Watch this Ted Talk about a woman who turned a simple idea into a global movement, now right here in PAE.
For more information, email our Health and Wellbeing Coordinator or call 8405 6010 for an informal chat.
