Welcome to our November Connect Local News

Welcome to our November newsletter! We hope you’ve been enjoying the spring sunshine and getting out and about to enjoy our wonderful community. The Victorian Seniors Festival ran throughout October – hopefully you managed to check out some of their amazing events. Moving towards the end of 2024, there are a lot of fun events to share with you! 

In this edition we introduce you to our new Connect Local Research Fellow, Sarah, who will tell us all about herself, what led her to join the Connect Local team, and what she’s going to be working on.  
We’ll shine a spotlight on The Meeting Place at Murrumbeena Uniting Church and let you know about all the fun activities and services they’re currently running. 

We also spoke to Belinda, a GP working in the Glen Eira region, about her views on social connection.

Finally, we’ll introduce you to the Friends of Connect Local – a team of friendly Glen Eira residents and Connect Local alumni who are spreading the word about Connect Local and helping us to expand. One of our amazing Friends of Connect Local, Caryn, will tell us a little about her experience attending the first ever Friends of Connect Local meeting!

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 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My mum and I moved to Australia from South Africa in 1999 and I grew up in Queensland. In 2018, I decided to get my PhD in psychology and moved to Victoria to study at the University of Melbourne. Since then, I’ve never looked back! 

What are you working on at Connect Local?

I’m currently working on the Connect Local evaluation – in other words, the research side of things!

Why did you set up this program?

The research I have been doing highlighted how important social connection is - it is the foundation for health and wellbeing. I also learned what is needed to get evidence into practice so that we can do what is needed in our communities.

My job is to try and make sure that what we are doing is working for our participants. To determine whether Connect Local is doing a good job and whether there are any issues we can work on, we need to collect and analyse data. 

When people sign up for Connect Local, we ask them to complete a quick survey about their mood, health, and social connections. We then check in with these same participants 3, 6 and 12 months later to see if Connect Local is making a difference in their lives. 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. 

Who are “Friends of Connect Local”?

Friends of Connect Local is a newly established group of volunteers who are helping us to spread the word about Connect Local. These volunteers have all used Connect Local and have found it helpful for building new social connections and improving wellbeing. They want to give back by telling other people about how much Connect Local has helped them and why they think others should know about it.

A Friend of Connect Local speaks with members of the community who they feel might benefit from more social connection and point them towards Connect Local. They are encouraged to share their personal stories of success and change through the Connect Local program to inspire others to reach out. We want Connect Local to become a household name in Glen Eira and beyond and our Friends of Connect Local will help us achieve this goal!   

Why is it important?

Sometimes, taking the first step towards social connection and trying something new can be scary. Hearing about the benefits of social connection from a friend or community member can feel a little more natural and comfortable than hearing about it from people you don’t know (i.e., from professionals like doctors). Therefore, Friends of Connect Local act as a vital bridge between people seeking more social connection and the Connect Local team.

Caryn’s Perspective

Don’t just take our word for how amazing Friends of Connect Local is…
Let’s hear first-hand from Caryn, one of our dedicated Friends of Connect Local!

What was the highlight of your first ever Friends of Connect Local meeting?

It was a wonderful way to meet everyone from Connect Local and the atmosphere was such a vibrant and positive one. It was inspirational to meet so many like-minded people and certainly one of the highlights of the afternoon was meeting all these people.
 

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

Apart from the fact I love talking and being around people, it will give me the chance to let people know about the organisation and give back to others.
 

What are you most excited about when it comes to being a Friend of Connect Local? 

I am excited about being able to let people know about Connect Local and hopefully helping people who need more social connection be able to find it.

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

It is so vital for people like me who live alone and need more social interaction and support, and the people involved are so caring and supportive. You truly feel as if you matter and that is something so many of us have been lacking in our lives.

The Meeting Place - also known as Murrumbeena Uniting Church - is situated on Wurundjeri land. It is a vibrant community of belonging and transformation. If you want to learn some new hobbies and meet new friends, The Meeting Place is for you!

The Meeting Place is a place of belonging, where people give and receive Care, are Connected, and Contribute their skills to be part of something bigger.

Importantly, all participants are invited to invest in and shape The Meeting Place by:

• enabling others to feel welcomed, connected, seen, heard and respected,

• running their own events or activities,

• contributing to the wider life of the community through offering ideas, advice and participating in working bees and community-building events, and

• being open to collaboration and cross-promotion with other people and groups at The Meeting Place.

Want to hear more about The Meeting Place? You can reach out to their Community Engagement Officer – Nell Potter – at connect@murrumbeenauniting.org.au. Alternatively, you can call The Meeting Place at 9568 8177.

Magical Getaway Foundation Market’ – Sunday 17 November 10am-3pm

Handmade crafts, coffee, food, trash & treasure, jewellery, and much more!

Looking for Christmas Eve or Christmas Plans? Head to The Meeting Place!

A Night of Carols – Christmas Eve, 7.30pm

Choir! Orchestra! Costumes! Come along for a glorious night of music and celebration.

Christmas Day, 9.30am

We’re open! All welcome to join us!

Recently, we spoke with Dr Belinda Carne from the Inkerman Medical Group about the importance of social connection. Belinda is a member of the RACGP (GP College) Social Prescribing Special Interest Group and helps spread the message about social prescribing to future doctors via her involvement with the Australian Medical Students Association.

How important is social connection to our health and wellbeing?

Loneliness/social isolation has been shown to be an independent risk factor for a range of poor health outcomes. People are wired for belonging – in our not so distant past, being an outcast in a tribe was literally a death sentence. These days, isolation doesn’t kill you straight away but it is associated with an increase in risk for heart disease, stroke, and premature death. There are also negative impacts on cognition and mood. Someone can of course be happy in their own company and feel connected without constant contact with others… however, most people do better with a sense of being connected in their community.

Have you any experiences of patients who have improved their wellbeing through social connection?

I can definitely attest that linking patients in with activities, groups, or reconnecting with others from their past can have a positive effect on their happiness and ability to keep up other healthy habits. There is a definite domino effect too: the more socially connected someone becomes, the fewer visits they make to the GP over time.

How can Connect Local help to support Glen Eira GPs to link people to social activities and programs?

It’s helpful to have the wonderful Connect Local Community Connectors who can assist people who are nervous about making that first contact to local activities and services. I was very impressed to hear that a Connector can attend with the client until such time as they feel comfortable in the new group, which is a great service.

Stuck for some fun activities over the holiday period? Here’s what’s happening in Glen Eira…

Here's what is happening in Glen Eira...

Drum Circle – Friday 15^th November 6pm-8pm

Group drumming is a fun and magical musical experience. Join us for a fun and inclusive drum circle. All welcome – no drumming experience necessary! We will bring the drums and show you what to do. Come and enjoy this engaging, interactive workshop!

Creative arts: A Journey Into Creativity and Wellbeing - Tuesday 19 November 6pm-8pm

Join us for a workshop designed to boost creativity and enhance wellbeing! Experiment with painting, drawing, and collage in a supportive environment, where you can unwind and connect with others. Led by Simone from Simflow Studios, this is your chance to explore your imagination and express yourself in meaningful ways. We look forward to creating with you!

Body Flow – An Expressive Movement Workshop – Monday 25 November 6.30-7.30pm

Come along to a movement workshop with Simone from Simflow Studios! Start with gentle warm-ups, explore improvisation for personal expression, and engage in collaborative activities. Conclude with a cool-down to release tension and find calm. Suitable for all levels, this workshop offers a welcoming space to move, create, and connect. We look forward to seeing you!

Come along and embrace some Christmas time floristry at the Caulfield South Community House!

Table Centre Piece Making; Saturday 14 December, time and cost TBC

Get your Christmas table ready with a beautifully arranged centrepiece! This festive floral class, led by local florist and educator Chris Thiel, will guide you through the art of creating stunning arrangements with fresh flowers and seasonal foliage.

Using shorter stems and vibrant blooms, you’ll learn techniques to craft unique, eye-catching table centrepieces that add warmth and charm to your holiday celebrations. Perfect timing to add a fresh, handmade touch to your Christmas decor!

Interested in coming along?

Contact the Caulfield South Community House for more information via phone on 9596 8643 or via email at operations@csch.org.au

450-452 Kooyong Road, Caulfield South

Jólabókaflód (Yule Book Flood) is an Icelandic tradition where books are given on Christmas Eve and recipients then spend the evening reading and drinking hot chocolate.

Glen Eira Libraries is again celebrating this wonderful tradition! Come along and take away a second-hand book (to keep), have a chat with their team, and enjoy a free barista-made hot chocolate or coffee.

Elsternwick Library - 4 Staniland Grove, Elsternwick

Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub - 161 Jasper Road, Bentleigh

Carnegie Library and Community Centre - 7 Shepparson Avenue, Carnegie

Caulfield Library - Glen Eira Town Hall, Caulfield