Welcome to the Uniting Communities Overcoming Loneliness monthly e-news. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest news about loneliness initiatives, research, innovative case studies and data.
Overcoming Loneliness replaces the former Teams platform and Not Alone newsletters.
If you have a story to share about how your work or organisation is overcoming loneliness, please contact us at advocacy@unitingcommunities.org
South Australia
Enabled Youth Disability Network
EYDN is a Peer Network formed and run by young people with disability.
EYDN run peer group meetings on the first Tuesday of each month in Unley, SA for members to connect with each other, share information, and get involved in their local community.
Their latest session is all about meeting other young people with disability in the community, over free afternoon tea!
Finding connection
The Onkaparinga Dementia Friendly Alliance of SA, is a group formed to provide social and emotional support for people living with dementia and their carers.
Kay who joined the group in 2021 says “this group became our extended family.”
“As my husband’s dementia progressed, I found family and friends became increasingly unable to cope with the changes, resulting in disconnection with us.
This resulted in our increasing social isolation and loneliness, requiring us to look elsewhere for friendship and support.”
Primary school students reducing loneliness
Students from Norton Summit Primary School have been making monthly visits to the Summit Community Centre in the Adelaide Hills for two-and-a-half years, where they volunteer to serve lunch for the elderly.
Students are responding positively to the initiative and enjoy their time spent with older people.
Pairing children with elderly Australians at organised events is usually targeted at alleviating loneliness for the aged community, but a researcher says young people can also develop key skills to improve their own lives.
Dr Ben Lohmeyer from Flinders University says, "Adults who show they care and listen to young people can play an important role in providing a sense of safety, security, and identity."
Reducing loneliness amongst men
The success of a project aimed at addressing loneliness in women in the Hills has resulted in a second iteration of the project, backed by a $40,000 State Government grant, that will focus on supporting men experiencing loneliness.
The Hut Community Centre at Aldgate will work with the University of South Australia to engage with 30 local men to identify factors contributing to loneliness.
New program to combat winter loneliness for Aussies with disability
As temperatures across the country plummet, Australians with disability could be at increased risk of social isolation and mental health issues during colder months.
A new South Australian-based program from NDIS provider Community Living Australia is aiming to tackle the issue by connecting people with disabilities through their winter retreat.
Australia
Australia post and Beyond Blue team up to combat loneliness
Five million mailboxes, including every regional and rural home across Australia, were sent a special prepaid postcard this month, thanks to an expanded campaign between Australia Post and Beyond Blue.
These postcards carry important mental health messages to encourage greater community connection and support mental wellbeing across the country.
Millions of Australians have opened their mailbox to discover a two-part “Connection Postcard”. One part includes important mental health information and Beyond Blue contact details; while the detachable second part includes a pre-paid postcard for recipients to pen a personalised note to send to a friend or loved one.
New Social Connection toolkits
The Activating Social Connection Team from Swinburne University have released two new resources on loneliness.
The first guide is a practical resource for practitioners looking to foster social connection in their communities through activities, programs or interventions.
Their Social Connections Policy Brief presents research insights to inform local councils and other community stakeholders on leading practices for fostering social connection in communities.
The Australian Loneliness Dialogue 2024
Friends for Good are presenting a groundbreaking online conference on August 8 on harnessing technology to increase human connection.
Delve into the insights of industry experts, discover pioneering strategies, and leave inspired for a brighter, more connected future.
International
Loneliness and the built environment (US)
A new report by the Foundation for Social Connection titled, ‘the SOCIAL Framework in The Built Environment,’ explores how local leaders, policymakers, and organisational change-makers can foster connectedness through the design, planning, and facilitation of the built environment.
No more lonely youth
Over the last 5 years Only 7 Seconds has been amplifying the stories of young people experiencing loneliness in the UK.
In June they are running a campaign calling for a connection revolution where they will be raising awareness about youth loneliness and advocating for change.
They will be sharing stories about how 7 seconds of connection has impacted young people.
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