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.
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
Spark - Igniting human connection!
Learn about this community co-design project that has launched several initiatives in the Adelaide Hills including Spark Conversations (at local cafes), the Spark Self-Connection program and the Sparkies volunteer team.
Spark Conversations kicked off on the 14th October igniting connections and new friendships at four locations across the Adelaide Hills.
Spark Self-Connection is a 8 week personal development program designed to inspire courage and enhance connection with others.
Want to be involved as a volunteer? Sparkies help with hosting Spark initiatives, helping behind the scenes and acting as community ambassadors to help shine a light on loneliness as a shared human experience. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Hayley at The Hut on 8339 4400.
Follow the Spark Facebook page to find out more
Speed friending event
On Friday 22 November at 2 pm the City of Unley are hosting a speed friending event tailored for neurodiverse people!
With timed conversations and social cue cards designed to help start discussions, this event is designed to build meaningful connections and friendships by providing each participant with a set time to converse before moving on to the next person.
New CCSA podcast
In the latest edition of Community Centres SA ‘Community Conversations’ Podcast Michael Keelan from FIVEAA talks about the role gardening plays in promoting and fostering community bonds including the mental and physical health benefits of gardening.
Australia
ACT inquiry releases report
The ACT parliamentary inquiry into loneliness has now concluded with the release of their final report.
Read about the outcomes of the inquiry and the recommendations made for government.
Creating Connections
Friends for Good are hosting an online event on creating quality relationships as a key protective factor for loneliness.
This course is for everyone and anyone who is wanting to learn skills and tools in how to create meaningful and connected relationships.
Topics covered include, the ‘barriers to connection’ and ‘what is connection, why connection is so important and what it needs to flourish.’
Local Connections – a social prescribing initiative
Local Connections is a social prescribing initiative that is being trialled across six local service areas in Victoria.
The service is using link workers who will help strengthen pathways between local services and community initiatives and activities to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
They will support people to build their confidence and participation in activities and social groups.
Further information can be found in the local connections fact sheet.
Tackling loneliness in chronic disease management
In 2023, four research teams received $5.5 million in targeted funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to investigate ways to identify and support people with chronic disease who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
The four research projects explore the overlap of loneliness and chronic disease and cover prevention, early intervention and management.
Befriend - Perth
Befriend is a non-profit social enterprise based in Perth that supports people to get connected to community life.
Their grassroots community building involves collaborating with members of the community from all walks of life; older Australians, people with and without disabilities, people experiencing mental ill-health, young people, families and neighbours.
Through unique projects, local people feel supported and empowered to take action as part of a network, to grow inclusive, connected communities in which all people are valued, connected and feel like they belong.
International
No One Alone Campaign (UK)
The Salvation Army (UK) launches the No One Alone Campaign which seeks to help tackle loneliness though a number of resources.
These include findings from research, stories, and tips and ideas on how to improve social connection.
Loneliness in America: Just the Tip of the Iceberg?
This new brief report based on a national survey of adults reveals 21% of adults in the U.S. feel lonely, with many respondents feeling disconnected from friends, family, and/or the world.
They identified various factors that contribute to loneliness, as well as personal and community solutions.
Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Connection Intervention Catalog (US)
The Foundation for Social Connection has created a catalogue of interventions on their website with the primary goal to advance social connection.
The intervention catalogue is for companies and non-profit organisations that provide specific interventions (e.g. products, services, and programs) to directly address social isolation, loneliness, and social disconnection.
Nurturing Cogenerational Social Connection (US)
Register now for Healthy Places by Design’s Socially Connected Communities Network webinar on nurturing cogenerational social connections on November 13 from 3-4 pm ET.
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