The Role of Street Parties in Promoting Stronger Communities
Streets Alive carried out research about older people, neighbouring and street
parties. The results in summary showed that:
Older people sometimes exclude themselves from street parties and
neighbouring generally for a number of reasons (more details in
downloadable briefing below).
Street parties are a unique and excellent opportunity for all generations to
meet as neighbours in their street.
Organising residents may need to make a little extra effort to involve older
people by, for example:
inviting them face to face
assuring them that your event is for all ages, and not just for kids - street parties used to be kids' tea parties
putting out chairs to sit on
having a tea party and a cake competition
having a quiz or display photos about the history of the street or neighbourhood
celebrating the oldest person with a cake or something
playing music they like or ask them to show off their old dance skills
The genuine collective effort of organising the events builds neighbourly
relations between generations.
Street parties are also a good opportunity for active retired residents to take
a proactive role in building their community.
The research was based on Streets Alive's years' of experience and on material
gathered from interviews and surveys conducted by Streets Alive after street
parties in 2005 and 2007.
