Fostering Community Engagement at Harriott
Following the suite of community consultation activities conducted for Harriott in 2022, Judi Carr, the Director of Property Republic, has spearheaded a transformative community engagement strategy.
The initiatives focus on fostering a sense of belonging, promoting local businesses, and facilitating vibrant community interactions through transparent communication and content marketing. Judi has, and continues to, amplify the community's voice, encourage participation, and celebrate the unique spirit of Harriott.
Note: The term ‘Neighbourhood Shapers’ relates to an online group of purchasers who agree to participate in surveys, attend workshops or become part of a residents’ group to help shape the future of Harriott.
The Approach
Phase 1: Cultivating an Engaging Online Presence
Judi harnesses the power of social media, specifically the Harriott Residents' Facebook page, as a platform for meaningful engagement. She curates diverse content, posting weekly updates encompassing various facets of community life:
Lawn and Order Award Promotion: By spotlighting the best front gardens monthly, Judi instills pride among residents and encourages a culture of landscaping accountability.
Local Business Profiles: Highlighting and supporting local businesses reinforces a sense of community support and cohesion.
Local Events: Highlighting local events is a great way for residents to meet new people and support local businesses and organisations as they have fun.
Harriott Updates: On top of existing communication channels, Judi ensures the distribution of timely construction and community updates. This not only builds excitement but reinforces a transparent and accessible flow of information.
Neighbourhood Shapers Group Meetings: Judi encourages attendance and participation in the Neighbourhood Shapers Group Meetings to maintain an engaged group of community advocates.
Interactive Polls & Questions: Engaging the community in decision-making processes through polls and questions further empowers residents to contribute their perspectives.
Judi additionally responds to feedback, which helps to foster a responsive and inclusive online community where everyone feels heard and valued.
Monthly reports to the Harriott Team ensure transparency and alignment with overarching community goals.
Phase 2: Strengthening Community Bonds Through Direct Engagement
Judi recognises the pivotal role of the Neighbourhood Shapers Group in fostering community participation. Her strategies for this phase are structured and inclusive:
Inviting Purchasers to Join the Neighbourhood Shapers Group: Through targeted newsletters and reminders on social media, Judi extends invitations to all purchasers, aiming to broaden representation within the group.
Bi-Monthly Neighbourhood Shapers Online Catch-Ups: These sessions provide a dedicated platform for members to discuss ideas, share feedback, and road test community activities and ideas such as a neighbourhood library, toy swap and Christmas event.
Feedback Collection: Judi ensures that any feedback collected is not only shared within the Neighbourhood Shapers Group, but also presented to the Harriott Team, creating a cohesive loop of communication and responsiveness.
The Results
Encouraging community connection at the Harriott Neighbourhood Library
Judi coordinated the installation of Harriott’s Neighbourhood Library. Decorated by the Neighbourhood Shapers Group, the library has proven popular, with many residents stopping by to pose with books they discover and donate. Located close to the nesting huts in Harriott’s Central Park, the Neighbourhood Library is a fantastic spot for residents and locals in the community to visit and immerse themselves in wonderful stories.
Judi also collaborated with the Harriott team to organise a giveaway for current and future residents, inviting them to share a selfie at the newly installed library to enter the chance draw to win 1 of 4 x $25 Dymocks bookstore vouchers.
A successful community Christmas event
Through her coordination of the Neighbourhood Shapers group, Judi played a pivotal role in orchestrating the highly successful Harriott Christmas Event. Garnering an impressive average rating of 4.2 stars from attendees, the event resonated deeply within the community. An overwhelming 87.5% of participants expressed their keen interest in attending future Neighbourhood Shapers events. Notably, 75% of attendees reported that they had the opportunity to connect and forge friendships with new neighbours, illustrating the effectiveness of community-led events.
Judi's initiatives have ushered in a vibrant community spirit at Harriott. The Residents' Facebook page has evolved into a hub of interaction, now consisting of more than 200 engaged and interactive members. These initiatives have not only strengthened the bonds among residents but also laid a solid foundation for a thriving, interconnected community.