We can live close to people and know very little about their lives. Behind a familiar door may be an older person who rarely has visitors, a parent struggling with bills, or a young person who feels they have nobody to talk to.

Through my ministry and community work, I have learned how easily hardship can remain hidden. People may carry grief, anxiety, or loneliness while appearing to manage everything well. A caring community makes room for people to speak honestly and ask for help without shame.

Care begins with noticing. Learning a neighbour’s name, making time for a conversation, or checking in when someone has been absent can build trust. We do not need every answer to offer companionship or help someone find support. We do need to listen to what they need and respect their choices.

Our responsibility also reaches beyond individual acts of kindness. Housing, mental health support, accessible services, and safe places for young people help our neighbours live with dignity. People facing homelessness or addiction deserve to be heard and included in decisions that affect their lives.

Each of us will need support at different points in life. Building relationships now helps create a community where we can give and receive care, and where nobody’s worth depends on how well they are coping.

I want Richmond to be a city where people feel safe asking for help and where those who are easily overlooked have a voice. We can begin with the people around us: notice, listen, and follow through with care.

我們可以與人住得很近，卻對彼此的生活所知甚少。一扇熟悉的門後，可能住著鮮有人探望的長者、為帳單發愁的家長，或覺得無人可以傾訴的年輕人。

透過牧養和社區工作，我逐漸明白，生活中的困難往往不容易被看見。有些人表面上應付自如，心裡卻承受著哀傷、焦慮或孤單。一個有愛心的社區，應讓人能坦誠說出自己的處境，安心求助，不必感到羞愧。

關懷始於留意身邊的人。記住鄰居的名字、騰出時間交談，或在一段日子沒見到某人時主動問候，都能慢慢建立信任。我們不必擁有所有答案，也能陪伴別人，或協助他們尋找支援。但我們需要用心聆聽他們的需要，並尊重他們的選擇。

我們的責任也延伸至個人的善意行動以外。住屋、精神健康支援、方便使用的服務，以及讓年輕人安心活動的場所，都有助鄰舍活得有尊嚴。面對無家可歸或成癮困境的人，也應有機會表達心聲，參與影響他們生活的決定。

人生不同階段，我們每個人都可能需要支持。從現在開始建立關係，能讓社區成為彼此付出、也安心接受關懷的地方。一個人的價值，不應取決於他是否能獨力應付生活中的困難。

我期盼列治文成為一個讓人安心求助，也讓容易被忽略的人有發聲機會的城市。我們可以從身邊的人開始：多一分留意，用心聆聽，並以持續的行動表達關懷。