Since the first lockdown we’ve been busy posting posts (as you’d know because of course you are reading this now) and building our online presence.

Every week we have a few more people sign up to receive our weekly news and follow us on Instagram/Facebook. Slowly and steadily we’re building a broader audience, which we hope will translate to more people knowing who and where we are and what we do … and then accessing our onsite services when we move back to face-to-face activities.

And we’re really pleased that some local micro-businesses have been contacting us as a means of connecting into the local community.

Because neighbourhood houses are about supporting and building a variety of neighbourhood activities and resources. We’ve always supported start-up businesses that align to identified community need by providing cheap community space rental rates, for example, and by holding community makers markets etc. And so, whilst these particular support mechanisms are on hold, helping spread the word is another thing we can do.

Last week Emma, a local who you may know from Alphington PS (she tells me she ran some of the fetes in her time) contacted us to say she is offering free yoga classes for the rest of the month from her studio in Naroon Road.

Here’s what she wrote.

For the month of September, The Little Yoga Room is offering free online classes. Physically located in Alphington, virtually located on your mat at home! A little calm, a little freedom, a little yoga studio:

The Little Yoga Room 🤸🏻‍♀️ Message Emma directly to secure your place!☺️🙏🏻

And here’s the link to her website with the details of how to contact her etc.

Good luck Emma, and happy neighbourhood yoga-ing! folks.

Now Tiramisu is not just good for your waistline (?!) but also good for your wall!

If you follow Broadsheet you may have seen this article.

It’s about Alphington local Gemma Leslie who is currently raising money for FareShare by selling some pretty cute culinary posters via an online shop - with all the profits going to food relief efforts. Her not-for-profit venture is called Food for Everyone.

To find out more visit her website here.

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Today is RU OK day. And it really couldn’t have come at a more timely time.

At ACC we’re focusing on the positives of living a contracted neighbourhood life, celebrating the daily things and little joys in these strange times. We’re hoping that our efforts are making a bit a difference to your life. And in addition we’re hoping that you are coping okay with all the other things.

So today we’re taking this opportunity to let you know that we are sincerely here and willing to listen and help as much as we can if you are feeling down or overwhelmed.

Call us if you need a one-off chat. If you need ongoing support we can facilitate a regular catch-up. We can connect you to fresh food services if you are struggling with bills and to pre-prepared food if you are struggling to get around to eating healthy meals.

If you are feeling completely or even mildly overwhelmed financially, we can help you navigate a raft of support and services.

We can also connect you to neighbours willing to shop for you, pick up prescriptions, or even bake you something to cheer you up (the offer is out there friends - community bakers with a good heart are LOOKING to share their talents … so don’t be shy to put your hand up for this one). And of course we can deliver you a mask if you need one.

Throughout this pandemic we’ve been talking to people regularly and responding to individual needs through little things like helping people access jam jars for pickling, helping people de-clutter through our op shop, helping out with IT questions, providing one-on-one zoom tutorials to get people digitally connected … and this week we’ve even taken delivery of some polyester stuffing that needed a good home. Nothing is too big or too small.

So, today we ask you again, R U OK? And if the answer is no … please get in contact and let us know how we can support you.

This week I was a little sad to see that the last inspirational graffiti we posted has been painted over (PTV is just too efficient - it was at the tunnel under the train line). But then I walked by this on Clarke Street and felt okay again.

Have you seen any other good words out there in your neighbourhood travels?

Yikes it’s easy to get caught up in negativity on social media of late isn’t it? It’s tricky ‘cos we’re all a bit anxious and cranky. So here’s a little tip -.to help you take that step back.

Just ask yourself, before you hit send:

Peace, love, good vibes and internet happiness neighbourhood friends!