Toolooa Community

Shed19's picture
Submitted by Shed19 on 23 October 2009 - 10:47am
What's this idea about?
In less than 100 words, what is your idea?: 
Creating a sense of "community" within a small community - recreating the old "village" mentality where neighbours knew each other and cared for each other. Shed19 provides a physical space for people to connect, but we need a digital space that supports and promotes a sense of belonging, of being valued, of being accepted - a place of reference for someone who feels lost in a sometimes frightening, often lonely world.
What is the social need or challenge your idea could address?: 
Western culture has promoted individualism. We need to challenge that. In a recent survey of our community people gave the need for "belonging" as top priority. The challenge is to help people feel "safe" and to "belong" to a "place" - and in today's culture that "place" is often digital. If Shed19 became a safe digital place, the challenge then would be to help people connect in the physical place.
What’s really new about your idea?: 
Connecting digital "space" with physical "space" - enabling people to make that transition.
Stage of development
What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?: 
A survey of our local community.
From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea is in? - Explain further: 
1
What can we do for you?
Select which are the one or two most important things that you need to help the development of your idea: 
Developer - to help you create your software
Funder - to give you some initial cash
If Social Innovation Camp is able to help push your idea forward, do you have the time or desire to take ownership of it?: 
Yes
Anything else you want to tell us?: 
For fun I play with my 2 granddaughters! They keep me grounded - and remind me that so much in life is good.
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Sharon Lee's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by Sharon Lee - 7 Dec 2009 - 7:14pm
What prevents the people from taking up existing services? Can you work with a few key residents of Toolooa to brainstorm the solution? *** On another note, here are are two examples of sites that have sprung up from physical places. Perhaps they may inspire? Life in Chippendale reflects the culture of the neighborhood and highlights local issues - anyone with a meaningful connection with the suburb can post an entry. http://life-in-chippendale.blogspot.com/ Nosey in Newtown documents the eclectic suburb - one person writes, however many people comment to share their take on the neighborhood observations. http://www.noseyinnewtown.com/ Also, YUMI PIKSA is a project whereby people in the community are taught the skills to create documentary videos. In doing so, they capture their own stories to share with the world. http://www.visual-voices.org/Yumi_Piksa/Welcome.html References to shared places, real people and telling stories is a great way to start a conversation!
Penny's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by Penny - 30 Oct 2009 - 7:29am
Men's sheds have been a fantastic innovation in many communities - this would take it past carpentry and mateship into the cyber-realm. Sounds good to me.
Shed19's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by Shed19 - 30 Oct 2009 - 9:27am
We've actually looked at the Men's Sheds concept, but we would need to build another shed to make it happen!!! But even that concept involves connecting at some other level first so the Men come! This is where we see possibilities for a digital community.
Shed19's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by Shed19 - 27 Oct 2009 - 2:36pm
I'm struggling with describing it in detail for a few reasons - the main one being I don't understand the technology enough to know the possibilities. Our research in the community showed that people want to be connected, but at the same time do not take up the opportunities given them to do so. Even when a program is offered that specifically meets a need they are crying out for help for, they don't take up the offer. So the dream is to create a digital community that reflects the physical community - giving the people of Toolooa the opportunity to connect without leaving home, to build a sense of relationship with Shed19 and their neighbours, to be involved in projects, competitions, fun stuff, conversations etc via their computer. I envisage that there would be opportunity for participants to suggest programs/courses/clubs/help etc that they would like to be involved in, and also some way of confidential "couselling" being available. There could be opportunity for "support" groups - e.g. young mums who need support/advice/friendship during a stressful time - even perhaps ideas on healthy eating for kids without breaking the bank! The dream is that in some way the connecting done at this level will lead to connecting at a physical level, so the Toolooa Community becomes both a digital and a physical experience.
suzipoozy's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by suzipoozy - 26 Oct 2009 - 3:11pm
hi, please contact me on sfagan01@gmail.com - would love to connect re similar ideas in the area - cheers
admin's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by admin - 24 Oct 2009 - 7:13pm
Would you be able to describe how you think the site would look like?. What king of elements do you think should be included?. I like the idea but I still wonder how it would look like.
Shed19's picture

Re: Toolooa Community

by Shed19 - 27 Oct 2009 - 9:21am
Thanks for your question. I have tried to answer it in a posted comment. I would really appreciate any insights or questions that would help expand the vision and make it viable.

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