Embracing the Power of Door Knocking: Building Connections as a Councillor

Today, we would like to share a practice that’s close to our hearts it is a fundamental part of a local councillor’s role —door knocking. This simple yet powerful act of reaching out to local residents on their doorstep has proved time and again to be a source of meaningful connections, insights, and positive change.

The Courage to Knock: Door knocking might seem like a daunting task at first. After all, it involves stepping out of our comfort zones and engaging with residents on a personal level. But as we have found in the past, it’s precisely this courage that leads to some of the most rewarding experiences in community service.

A Personal Touch: In a world where email, texting, and other forms of social media rule there’s something personal and friendly about meeting face-to-face. By knocking on doors, we show that we care enough to take the time to listen, to understand concerns, and to offer support. It’s a reminder that real connections are built through real conversations.

A Warm Welcome: Last week we had the pleasure of visiting several new families, all new(ish) residents of Pebble Walk the new housing development of Hayling; considering we just knocked their doors and started a conversation the enthusiasm and warmth we received was heartwarming.

We met individuals from various professions, and walks of life, all with one common thread: the desire to find a sense of belonging and contribute positively to our shared home.

Listening is key, whether it’s about their reasons for choosing our community, their aspirations, or concerns, every conversation provides valuable insights. Helping us to better understand the evolving needs of the community and giving us the opportunity to build trust and advocate for initiatives that truly make a difference.

Bridge Building: We believe that building bridges between long-time residents and newcomers is essential for fostering unity and cooperation. It was great to hear that these new residents felt welcome and were joining in local activities such as supporting the local amateur theatre, or runnng yoga classes in the community centre

Empowering the Community: Giving residents a voice, by door knocking and listening  we hear their opinions  and ideas help to shape the decisions we make as councillors aiming to reflect residents needs

Looking Ahead: As we continue to grow and evolve as a community, we are committed to ensuring that both our newcomers and existing residents feel not only welcome but also integral to the progress we aim for, to make Hayling an even better place to live, work, and thrive.

In the coming weeks, we will be hitting the streets to knock on your doors, hear your stories, and engage in the conversations that matter; residents are the heartbeat of the community and councillors are here to listen.

We would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of you who have taken the time to read our blog, as your local councillors we appreciate your engagement and interest in the issues and updates we share. It’s your support that fuels our community’s progress and makes our efforts worthwhile.