Living Streets Association | 2025 May

In the ideal community, people use their energy towards helping others and enjoy contributing to creating a sense of belonging, happiness, and well-being in their community. The spirit of reciprocity and sharing can be achieved through the work of community building in urban residential cities. 

Dr Thomas W. Nielsen believes that young people need to learn to ‘give’ to become a complete person, and says that “one of the healthiest things we can do is to give, as this leads us to be healthier, happier and possibly even to live longer”. Pointing out the need for children to have the opportunity to give daily, he says that, “giving is also a strong predictor of increased mental and physical health into adulthood and reduced adolescent depression and suicide risk,” and that, “there is increasing research evidence supporting the view that being something for others creates unparalleled wellbeing and resilience in children”. 

Living Streets Association believes that anyone can practice this concept of giving and volunteering within their neighbourhoods, regardless of their age. Living Streets Youth, an initiative under the Living Streets Association, was established to encourage and inspire young people to actively engage with their neighbourhoods and extend their impact to the broader community. These community events provide an opportunity for adolescents to serve as contributors, take on leadership roles, engage with younger children, and participate in meetings with their peers to plan future events. Through youth-led community events, the experience of connecting with others can be enhanced, and young people’s social competence and social responsibility can be developed. 

We also see so many examples of selfless giving in the Watson community; in the committed members of Majura P&C, the volunteers across the various local community groups, the people laying out stepping stones, clearing paths or planting flowers and bushes in our parks and Microforest, the bike enthusiasts carving out mini pump tracks, the book lovers building street libraries, the dog lovers building stick libraries, the neighbours offering their toys, sports equipment, or outdoor seats for people to enjoy, and many others who are quietly contributing to the beauty and community of our suburb. 

What are some ways that you could practice giving within your street and neighbourhood?