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
Proposed inquiry into loneliness
Hon Connie Bonaros is calling for an inquiry into loneliness in South Australia, with support from Uniting Communities and Anglicare SA.
Connie, who is a Member for the Legislative Council, says: “The social, physical, emotional and economic imposts of loneliness have never been independently investigated in South Australia.”
“If we are genuinely serious about reducing those impacts for future generations, an independent inquiry is a must.”
“It’s time we as a community took the ramifications of loneliness seriously – not just on the individual inflicted by it, but also the social and economic impacts on the entire community,” she says.
Co-creating Community Connections exhibition
Until 10 November, UniSA is hosting the Co-Creating Community Connections Exhibition, which brings together a collection of projects that explore what it means to be meaningfully connected.
The exhibition examines the various forms connections take across physical spaces and sociotechnical networks to impact individual and communal wellbeing.
Match Studio is UniSA's innovative learning and research space, where interdisciplinary teams of students, teaching academics, researchers, industry, community organisations and members engage in and co-create inventive solutions to real-world challenges.
Free entry at the UniSA City West Campus
Café Connections ‘Happy to chat’ Mum’s Group
The ‘Happy to Chat’ Mum’s group in Northgate is an opportunity for mums to meet in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Participants will make new social connections and share the ups and downs of motherhood with other like-minded locals over free coffee.
Every Thursday from 9.30 – 10.30 am from 19 October until 14 December. Held at Baristro Café, Northgate Shopping Centre.
Australia
State of the Nation report on workplace loneliness
“Loneliness is present in the workplace and can have serious impact on employees and businesses,” says Damien Mu, CEO of AIA Australia.
“The [State of the Nation] report finds that people who feel lonely report less work productivity and more work impairment compared with other people,” says Mu.
Mu hopes these findings inspire workplaces to check in on employees who might be feeling lonely and start to foster more meaningful social connections. Read the report to learn why addressing workplace loneliness is so vital.
Stream The Great Separation free on SBS On Demand
The Great Separation is a ground-breaking social insights documentary that follows protagonist Joey Fry on his journey to understand loneliness and connection, guided by experts along the way.
Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice – Loneliness and Autism
On Thursday October 26 Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice - ARCAP hosted a free one-hour webinar exploring Autistic experiences of loneliness and the impact of loneliness on mental health.
Ending Loneliness Together, Dr Michelle Lim presented alongside Dr Kana Grace (Kana G.) from UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the Institute of Education and Dr Abigail Love from ARCAP.
Lonely no more: Unveiling Australia’s silent struggle
The University of Melbourne School of Psychological Science is hosting a lecture on loneliness on Tuesday 14 November.
Their research, advocacy and lived experience experts will delve into an Australian-first study confronting the pervasive stigma surrounding loneliness and discuss why 53% of people feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit feeling lonely.
The lecture sheds light on the collaborative efforts of broad and multidisciplinary teams in developing strategies to address these challenges for people of all ages.
International
Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities webinar (US)
The Foundation for Social Connection have released a new webinar recording on their Action Guide. The recording is aimed at people interested in learning more about social connection and implementing strategies in their community, or for anyone making strides to foster community connection.
Tackling Loneliness Hub: Digital inclusion to address loneliness in later life (UK)
The latest Tackling Loneliness Hub have released a new blog called 'Digital inclusion as a means of addressing loneliness in later life'.
In this blog the Digital Inclusion team from Age UK share findings from their Digital Champions Programme, including how the programme is addressing loneliness.
From helping older people to build the skills they need to connect with friends and family online, to finding online communities or more accessible ways to engage with hobbies, the programme is helping to empower older people across the UK to remain connected.
National Befriending Week (UK)
This national campaign supports and celebrates the work and impact of befriending services and their volunteers.
Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.
Across the UK, befriending projects organise effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities and older people, among many others. This year’s Befriending Week theme is ‘Befriending is Support.’
Campaign to End Loneliness resources
Do you want to learn more about loneliness and how to support your staff or customers who are experiencing loneliness?
The Campaign to End Loneliness provides a range of training options to help people learn about loneliness, including a self-directed e-learning module aimed at providing an overview of the causes and effects of loneliness, plus practical tips for addressing loneliness.
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