How Community Involvement Can Improve Your Street
There is a lot of talk these days about how going out and getting involved in your local community can help you feel less isolated – so many people are starting to do this, so much so that it’s easy to forget it can be difficult to find the time and commitment.
Getting involved more in your community can seem like a daunting task; however the following article will explain a few simple ways you can become a more active and valued member of your local network.
No doubt being more proactive on the street will make the local area for everyone who lives there – so with this in mind, here are several tried and tested methods other people have applied when making their community a brighter, better place.
Clean Up Your Street
The first thing to do is tidy up your street. This is a wonderful start, as it will make people feel more welcome and safer, and it will also increase your street’s aesthetic appeal. To do this, you can set up a local community group that takes responsibility for litter clearance together, or organize a street clean-up on a weekend.
You never know when you might need to call upon another member of your community too – a neighbour who is into gardening can come over and help with community greening projects.
Deter Loitering
Unfortunately, even when facilities are provided for youths, they may still prefer to hang out in inappropriate locations. Areas where loitering isn’t appropriate can be protected in various ways, but one of the most common and effective is the mosquito device. This device emits a harmless high-frequency noise that is irritating to those that can hear it – and only those under age 25 can!
Campaign For a 20mph Zone
This process can take a little longer but ensures that the streets are maintained to the highest standard. Having a 20mph zone on the street improves all aspects of traffic safety, including road conditions and vehicle speeds.
Introduce Street Art
In some areas where it’s appropriate, street art is a great way to get people involved. Street art can be an effective means of engaging communities, and perhaps most importantly, encouraging its members to think about the impact that their environment has on them
Organise Events
Whether it be a local event or what is going on in the world, you can do something about it. Events are an easy way for people to get involved with their community, and building friendships and increasing a sense of community are proven to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
Ask Your Neighbours to Be More Active
Another way to get people involved is to ask them to be more active in the community. This is an excellent way of building a sense of community and it will show that you are interested in residents’ lives and want them to feel like they belong.
This could also make others want to be part of your street too – everyone’s happier when they are part of something bigger. It even allows residents a little further afield to get involved in the local group as well.
With all the help that is available to make your community feel safer and more welcoming, it is easy to see that engagement can be a great way to improve the quality of life for everyone. When it’s time to augment your community spirit and get involved, check back to this list of handy tips, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a standout member of your local area.