Julia Farr MS McLeod Benevolent Fund has a new name – we are now the JFM Fund. In addition to our new name, we’ve also given our brand and website a vibrant makeover – we hope you like our new look!

Close
Barry and Angie from the Neighbourhood Circles project stand in a garden smiling at camera

Neighbourhood Circles

Neighbourhood Circles Project aims to support increased knowledge and understanding on the role of neighbourhoods as spaces of inclusion, belonging, safeguarding, and support. Neighbourhood Circles works with people with disability or mental illness to strengthen their sense of safety, inclusion, and belonging to their local neighbourhood.

JFM sunshine logo mark

About the grant

We work closely with people with disability or mental illness, alongside their friends, family members and allies, to strengthen their capacity building and actions to connect to mainstream neighbourhood spaces. We also work with mainstream neighbourhood groups, support providers, tertiary and university institutions, and other key stakeholders to make neighbourhoods more inclusive and accessible places and improve the practice of paid supports in connecting people to neighbourhoods.

As part of Neighbourhood Circles, we explore and identify different initiatives that exist around Adelaide’s local neighbourhoods to continually learn from their leaders, members, and participants on best practice for inclusion and belonging. Listening to existing initiatives and people with lived experience, we aim to amplify and support neighbourhood inclusivity and accessibility into the future.  We strive to strengthen relationships between neighbours and support the growth of knowledge around neighbourhood inclusion and safeguarding, whilst supporting and advocating for the important role that neighbourhoods play to strengthen inclusion and belonging at a grassroots level.

Neighbourhood Circles’ key deliverables include a collection of resources, such as a workbook, guidebook, and video, that helps strengthen individuals’ capacity to connect to neighbourhood. These resources have all been developed in direct consultation and with support of individuals with lived experience. We also engage with individuals and their families, personal networks and support teams to explore ideas and strategies to increase their neighbourhood connections. In addition, we host a Neighbourhood Summit that invites neighbourhood champions and people with lived experience together to share stories and knowledge of inclusive neighbourhood practices and provide opportunities for networking and building of social capital.

This grant has meant the Neighbourhood Circles Project can continue to network, explore, and connect with more individuals and neighbourhood led initiatives; strengthen relationships and networking opportunities; conduct further advocacy and outreach; and develop resources and critical training for support providers, educational institutions, families, individuals with lived experience and their allies.

Follow their socials

Sarah from Neighbourhood Circles headshot

“Being part of this Project has been an immense privilege for me as the Project Lead. Every day I feel humbled by the generosity and kindness of individuals who have shown such great passion and encouragement for this Project to continue.  I am grateful for this Project’s work and strongly believe in the need for individuals to build and strengthen connections and a sense of contributions to their local neighbourhood.”

Sarah Faulkner (Project Lead, Neighbourhood Circles)
Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have passed away.