The Hive. Connected, Creative, and Inclusive
Background
A strong, connected, and caring community is essential for a thriving local environment. Through our direct work in the community we have identified several challenges: cost-of-living pressures, a lack of intergenerational interactions and associated wellbeing benefits, the risk of loneliness and isolation, particularly among the elderly, and the increasing waste and consumption polluting our land. However, many community members are eager to address these challenges, enhance their skills and creativity, and become more resourceful. The result is the birth of The Hive, a community-driven initiative designed to create a space for hands-on learning, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful connections.
The Purpose of The Hive
In this ‘me’ focused culture community is gradually being eroded. We have chosen the name The Hive because bees are extraordinary creatures known for their industriousness, dedication, communal and cooperative nature. We wish to embed the selfless service and community mindedness of bees in this community building venture.
Launched in March 2025, The Hive is designed to:
Reignite social connections across generations
Share skills, talents, and creative knowledge
Learn with and from the community
How It Works
The Hive follows the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, a strengths-based model that places the community at the centre of decision-making and planning. The initiative fosters collaboration, amplifies community voices, and encourages active participation.
By working together, The Hive aims to:
Identify and nurture the community’s strengths
Ensure every voice is heard in shaping the program
Inspire engagement, participation, and enthusiasm
Empower local leaders to take initiative
Strengthen relationships across different age groups
Who Can Join?
It is open to all residents of the Lower North Shore of Sydney, with a special focus on attracting:
• Young adults (18 – 24 years old)
• Parents with young children
• Older adults (55+)
The Hive Sessions
The Hive @ TinkerTank, Neutral Bay
This clothes upcyling project brings the community together to practice sewing, mending, darning, repurposing, embroidery and patchwork. The goal is to creatively transform unsaleable donated clothing into saleable items to be donated to Circularity Lab, the Remote OpShop Project and a local Op-Shop. The project supports North Sydney Council’s goals of community connection, wellbeing, volunteering, and lifelong learning. Sessions run fortnightly with a 5-hour drop-in window.
When: Thursday 24 April 2025, 3 – 8 PM
Where: Level 1/50 Yeo St, Neutral Bay NSW 2089.
The Hive @ The Creation Space, Mosman Library
This community initiative offers a supportive environment where locals can come to create, share, and connect. Each session will be hosted by two people with two different skill sets. Activities include sewing, mending, crochet, knitting, making teddy bears for sick children in hospital, using smartphones, computers, social media, online security, ethical shopping and AI. Community members are invited to share skills, donate craft items and provide feedback, which will be used to refine future reiterations. Sessions run once a month for 2 hours.
When: Saturday 3 May 2025, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Where: Library Walk, 605 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088.
Pricing & Registration
All sessions are free, to remove economic barriers and encourage broad participation.
Seats are limited to 20 participants, so bookings are recommended.
👉 More information in Instagram