Welcome to our February Connect Local News

Welcome to our February newsletter! We hope 2025 is off to a fantastic start for you and that you've been out and about, enjoying our wonderful community. There are so many amazing summer events on over the coming weeks that we recommend you check out!

In this edition we introduce you to Kerry, our dedicated Project Manager!  She's the one keeping the cogs turning behind the scenes, keeping us on track and ensuring our program runs smoothly. Kerry will share a little about herself and what inspired her to join the Connect Local team.

We will also feature one of our amazing participants, Anne, and introduce you to one of our Friends of Connect Local, Ken, who’s hard at work spreading the word about Connect Local around the community.

Next, we’ll provide an update on what’s going on at the Community Houses around Glen Eira.

Finally, we’ll touch on the fast-approaching Neighbour Day and provide a bit of an update on the Connect Local evaluation including what we’ve been up to and how you can help!

To keep up with the latest news from Connect Local, please be sure to follow and like us on Facebook.

Warm regards,

The Connect Local Team
Rajna, Kerry, Ann, Taryn, Lynn, Liz, and Sarah 

We are often asked how Connect Local is going. While it's not always about the numbers we've provided a snapshot of some key stats to highlight our impact.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I've lived in Melbourne for 30 years, but I grew up in a small town in rural NSW, where I experienced first-hand the benefits of a connected community. I've worked across a number of industries, including product management and executive search. For the past ten years, I’ve been with Bolton Clarke managing a health promotion program, so I get to work closely with community groups and volunteers, which I love. When an opportunity arose to join the Connect Local team, I jumped at it.

Can I also mention that I'm a mad Sydney Swans supporter? And yes, I'm still getting over the 2024 grand final (as well as the one in 2022).

What do you like about your role?

Firstly, our team—I’m in awe of our team, their resourcefulness, dedication, and genuine desire to support participants in making connections. Secondly, I'm often the first person people speak with when they call our 1800 number, so I get to chat with participants right at the start and then follow along their journey as well. My role is to ensure the program runs smoothly and to support our Community Connectors along the way.

I'm also excited that the benefits of social connection are gaining more recognition in the health space, which makes our work even more impactful. Although social connection is not a new concept, I feel we are pioneering in this field, and it feels incredibly rewarding to be part of something so innovative and meaningful.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about calling Connect Local?

If you're considering reaching out to Connect Local, I'd say don't hesitate to get in touch!

We are a friendly, professional team that's here to support you make meaningful connections within the community. 

How did you find out about Connect Local?

It was a wonderful discovery. My friend Lib found out about it and told me about it. I thought what a wonderful resource and what wonderful people must work there!
 

What has your experience with Connect Local been like?

It has been very positive, very helpful people. It can seriously open up the gateways to different possibilities and to what is available.

What would you say to others about the program?

It could really make a difference to your life and broaden your horizons. You get to meet people who know what is available and how it can help you.

How has your life changed since you contacted Connect Local?

Being able to access My Aged Care has made a huge difference to my life. The Council coming to my house and looking at things like light globes and fixing the back door so that it can lock properly. I am also looking forward to having someone to come and do some cleaning for me.

Have you noticed any changes to your well-being in that time?

Yes, I think so. Now that I know that there are services near me that can support me is very comforting. To know that I don’t have to be unhappy in not being able to do what I want to do and knowing that support is there from people who work for a service. The simple things from when I was younger are not so simple anymore. It is vital to be able to get these services that are being provided.

What’s the latest with our volunteer ambassador program, Friends of Connect Local?

Let’s hear from Ken, one of our star volunteers who you may also recognise from his volunteering at Caufield South Community House!

What have you enjoyed about being a Friend of Connect Local so far?
I have enjoyed communicating with new people besides [those at] Caufield South Community House. It’s great to know what others are up to [and get updates on their] health and welfare.             

What are your top tips for starting conversations about social connection with others?

Just talk about things in general, like health, the weather, sport, favourite music, or favourite artists.

Why did you decide to become a Friend of Connect Local?

Being a Friend of Connect Local means that members of Connect Local will always be there to offer advice (e.g., health, medical, maritial help). There are people to talk to, and above all there is friendship.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about Connect Local?

I’ve been at Caufield South Community House for a number of years, which was or is my second home. It really has been fantastic. Reaching out to Connect Local gives me great joy because I’m able to talk to and make new friends outside of Caufield South Community House.

Godfrey Street Community House and Moongala Women’s Community House – a collaboration!

With the support of Community Bank Murrumbeena, Godfrey Street Community House and Moongala Women’s Community House are providing one-on-one support for navigating My Aged Care.

Within a 30-minute appointment they will provide:

Godfrey Street Community House

9 Godfrey Street, Bentleigh
Call 9557 9037 or email admin@godfreystreet.org 

• 27th February
• 13th March
• 27th March

Moongala Women’s Community House

92 Bignell Road, Bentleigh East
Call 9570 3468 or email admin@moongala.org.au

• 6th March
• 20th March
• 3rd April

Check out the Term 1 program at Caulfield South Community House. 450-452 Kooyong Road, Caufield South.

GEALC are offering a 7-week Accounting for Beginners course that teaches accounting principles and terminology, focusing on using computer-based accounting software.

Explore your creativity in GEALC’s new "Create to Communicate" class where artistic expression meets personal connection.

Contact GEALC on 9578 8996 for enrolment details.

169A McKinnon Road, McKinnon

The Meeting Place offers a variety of engaging activities!

As well as the events listed below, also consider joining the Choir which runs on Wednesdays from 12.15-1.15pm and costs $10.

They’re looking for new members 😊

117 Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena. 

Create, Share & Grow Belonging

• Create belonging for ourselves and others;
• Share through inclusion and connection;
• Grow through empathy and compassion.

It’s a call to action to everyone (individuals, community groups, business and governments) to take every day actions that create social connection and foster respectful relationships AND spread the message of belonging!

Belonging occurs when people feel safe and comfortable, and accepted for who they are. We can all play a role, no matter how big or small, in creating a community where everyone feels that they belong.

Bring a friend / neighbour and join us for a free cuppa and morning tea to celebrate Neighbour Day!

Connect Local is supporting Neighbours Every Day by partnering with Chatty Cafe and our Community Houses to host Morning Tea's in the lead up to the national day of action Neighbour Day on Sunday March 30th.

Want to know what, when, and where these events are happening? Check out our timetable below and keep your eyes on our Facebook page for updates.
 

We'd like to thank and acknowledge the Community Bank Murrumbeena for supporting this initiative.

Meet our Community Connectors Ann, Lynn and Taryn (pictured left) at one of the morning teas below.

What is the evaluation?

The Connect Local evaluation makes sure that what we are doing is working for our participants. We collect information from participants about their social connection habits, mood, and physical wellbeing to determine whether Connect Local is doing a good job and whether there are any issues we can work on.

Why are we doing an evaluation?

If our data shows that Connect Local is doing a good job, we can advocate for ongoing, long-term funding as well as to have this kind of program delivered in other areas around Australia.

What has the evaluation shown so far?

We can see that participants tend to be more socially connected, healthy, and happy after completing the Connect Local program (compared to how they felt before they started the program). This is encouraging news – it suggests that Connect Local really does change lives!

What does being involved entail?

Being involved in the evaluation only requires completing a quick survey once every 3-6 months. If you’d like to get involved, please call or email us!