Shining with Neighborly Help... Yeongdeungpo-gu 'Our Neighborhood Care Team' Warm Activities

Yeongdeungpo-gu Our Neighborhood Care Group of 39 Actively Engaged... Actively Preventing Neighbor Loneliness and Isolation
Establishing a Dense Welfare Safety Net for the Elderly, Disabled, and Vulnerable Households to Eliminate Blind Spots
Regular Check-ins via Phone and Home Visits... Strengthening Mutual Connections Among Neighbors in the Community

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it is strengthening the activities of the ‘Our Neighborhood Care Team,’ which provides continuous care services to socially isolated households to build a dense welfare safety net.

The Our Neighborhood Care Team supports the stable lives of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled in the area, as well as households at risk of solitary death, by checking on them via phone calls or visits, providing emotional support and companionship.

Currently, Yeongdeungpo-gu’s Our Neighborhood Care Team consists of 39 residents, who are assigned exclusively to 18 neighborhoods and jjokbang (tiny room) areas. Each member conducts regular monitoring at least three times a week on average to systematically check on isolated neighbors in the community and provides additional support in cooperation with the district office when necessary.

By the end of October this year, the Care Team conducted 50,206 welfare checks on 2,616 households at risk of social isolation. Especially during this summer’s unusually long heatwave, they made every effort to protect neighbors’ safety through focused monitoring.

The active activities of the Care Team are providing practical help to marginalized neighbors and bringing positive changes to the community. In particular, in Yeongdeungpo-dong, a case of discovering a household at risk of solitary death through the Care Team’s meticulous attention has drawn attention.

Mr. A, who lives in Yeongdeungpo-dong, was almost isolated, living alone without any support due to economic difficulties and health problems. The Care Team, who had been neighbors with Mr. A, noticed his difficulties through careful attention and active conversations, reported them to the community center, connected him to appropriate welfare services, and greatly helped him recover his daily life.

Another case in Singil 3-dong involved Mr. B, who had been wary of Care Team visits but gradually opened his heart thanks to their consistent visits and sincere communication, beginning to overcome his isolated life by sharing his difficulties. Especially, Mr. B, who had a high tendency toward alcohol dependence, recently decided to quit drinking, and the Care Team is sending him strong encouragement and support.

This year, the district conducted communication enhancement training for the Our Neighborhood Care Team, focusing on practical topics such as conversation techniques, handling complaints by type, and gender sensitivity, thereby further strengthening the team’s capabilities.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “The Our Neighborhood Care Team is a model case showing that care and concern among neighbors are a great strength for the community.” He added, “We will continue to do our best to provide appropriate welfare services to neighbors in need and create an environment where all residents can live safely and happily without being marginalized.”