Can something just be good, for goodness’ sake? Two Northern Beaches start-up up-starts Lisa Hollinshead and Kim Smee think so.
Thanks to 100 pro bono helpers from around the globe, Lisa recently launched Australia’s first and only kindness platform, One Another Community, an app for people to volunteer or receive help. But when lockdown hit and demand for help and support within the community surged, Lisa realised she too needed assistance to ensure her platform was reaching as many people as possible.
A keen follower of Kim’s local news site Manly Observer, Lisa quickly noted she and Kim shared a similar ethos. Manly Observer also had a highly engaged local audience and a willingness to coordinate help during the recent lockdowns. The pair, both mums of pre-school aged boys, met in July over a well-spaced walk around North Head, and have not wasted a moment since, launching a free community tool – Manly Observer powered by One Another Community
– in August.
So, what’s the point of it all? Facilitating kindness within the community and better still, practical kindness, in a space away from social media where people can go to offer or receive help on the Northern Beaches, or simply write a note of gratitude to someone or about something in the region.
“It’s nothing but good vibes,” Lisa said. “The One Another Community brings communities together. Many people across the Northern Beaches are struggling. They may need support in accessing food banks and collecting medicines or even just someone to talk to. There are also people with skills, community spirit and spare time they’re keen to offer to help others. We just want to connect those willing with those seeking. It’s a free platform, away from the social media clutter, and provides a place where you’re most likely to be heard because everybody is on our platform for the same reason. Support and kindness.
“Partnering with Kim and the Manly Observer was an absolute no-brainer. We share a passion for our local community and want to do what we can to bring residents of the Northern Beaches together for one another.” Kim was a little blunter: “I think it’s nice to know you’re not a jerk, and to find out you’re not surrounded by jerks. One Another is a great chance to prove that to each other.”
The former newspaper editor and radio producer said she appreciated how pure and functional the platform was. “I was sceptical at first, which is just my nature, but the closer I looked the clearer I could see this is a pure and simple service to make sure no one is alone if they don’t want to be. And if you’re in isolation and home-schooling three kids and just realised you’re out of milk for your morning coffee, there’s actually a platform where you can do a quick shout out for help for a dairy drop off. Someone just might be willing to answer that call. That’s comforting.” Lisa continued, “Everyone has different skills and access to different resources that others may need. A simple gesture of collecting a prescription, taking the bins out once a week or posting letters for a neighbour who can’t leave the house will make such a huge difference to them.”
The platform is free to use with easy registration. Visit www.oneanother.community to offer or request assistance to our community.