Remember the days when you yelled over the back fence to borrow your neighbour’s lawnmower or popped your head through their door for a cup of sugar? We don’t either, but your nanna might. The good Samaritans behind innovative sharing website StreetBank do too, and they’ve launched a technology-based campaign to help bring it back. StreetBank is essentially a way to share your spare possessions with people in your neighbourhood, and borrow the things you need but can’t afford or don’t want to buy.

Australian sister site The Sharehood was integrated into StreetBank late last year, so now you can sign up and check out the neglected gems available in your local area. If your ‘hood is a StreetBank-free zone, then become a founding member and help spread the word. Offerings extend beyond goods to services and expertise – if you have killer computer skills, for example, you can share them with a granny in need. ShareBank members can also make requests, so if you need an extra hand to move house or someone to help repair your bike, just log what you require and see which friendly folk raise their hands. Not only will all this do-gooding spread ripples of positive energy through your community, but it will also help minimise wastage and benefit the environment.