A BBQ in Canberra which brings together Housing ACT tenants with their neighbours, along with community-minded people including staff from Programmed and Housing ACT, is going from strength to strength.
The monthly BBQ provides tenants with the opportunity to gather together outside in the sunshine and get to know their neighbours over a shared meal. It also gives tenants an opportunity to raise any property maintenance questions or concerns with the Programmed team.
Programmed and Housing ACT recognise that some tenants would like the opportunity to get to know their neighbours and engage with each other, as well as to have the chance to talk with the maintenance team.
The Programmed team is proud to get grilling to help our community. At Programmed we look to uplift the communities we serve, not just through services delivered, but also through engagement opportunities to truly understand and assist.
Enjoying a BBQ together helps foster a sense of belonging and encourages friendships to form. Conversations spark easily over lunch and neighbours get to know one another, which helps build a more connected community.
“It’s heartwarming to see the positive impact regular BBQs can have on a community”, shares Gregory Lackey, Social Inclusion Manager at Programmed; “Today has been a brilliant day. Seeing so many tenants come outside and enjoy a meal with their neighbours, witnessing those social connections firsthand and seeing friendships forming, building community, that’s what it’s all about.”
At Programmed, our vision is to enrich society so that all work leads to lives of happiness. We believe that behind every smile, there’s a story.
One of the tenants who organises the BBQs says:
“Having a regular BBQ brings people together, helps neighbours get to know one another and builds a stronger community. The Programmed team help make the BBQs possible. They give practical input like bringing BBQ’s, chairs and tables, and each team member is great at building relationships. Thank you to everyone who helps make these events happen, including all our regular supporters.”
These social events help connect communities and are supported by Programmed and attended by Housing ACT staff, giving tenants the opportunity to talk with their Housing Manager and the Programmed team, to ask any questions they have and raise any property maintenance requests.
The day is a real community effort with support from local businesses including Woolworths and the local Cheesecake Factory both offering donations towards the day’s success. The tenants use the gathering as an opportunity to celebrate any recent Birthdays and milestones, singing Happy Birthday with their neighbours and sharing cake.
Programmed is proud to support tenant-led BBQs like these, with staff from the Programmed team happy to help out – by lending a hand on the day to support the local community.
