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CONNECTING COMMUNITY IN UPPER HUME PHASE

A Social Prescribing Project supporting connection and wellbeing
"Loneliness - the next public health epidemic"

 

There is strong and growing evidence that loneliness and social isolation significantly impact people’s health and wellbeing. They have been linked to an increased risk of serious and chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and depression. The Australian Psychological Society has described loneliness as “Australia’s next public health epidemic”, reflecting its widespread nature and serious consequences.

 

These issues not only affect individuals emotionally and socially—they also carry a measurable burden on our health system, increasing demand for medical services and reducing overall quality of life.

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This is where we come in...

 

Connecting Community in Upper Hume Phase 2  (CCUHP2) Social Prescribing Project  builds on the success of the initial Pilot and uses the Living Our Best Life model developed by the CHAOS (Community Houses Association of the Outer-eastern Suburbs) Neighbourhood House Network. 

 

Launched in July 2024, CCUHP2  is funded through the Ovens Murray Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Alliance, and work through local neighbourhood houses to improve mental health, social connection, and community resilience.

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This short video gives a snapshot of the kinds of experiences people are having through the project.

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Project aims
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  • Reduce social isolation and loneliness, especially for people not currently engaged or connected

  • Activate and link into existing social and community activities 

  • Strengthen partnerships between Upper Murray neighbourhood houses and the health sector

  • Position neighbourhood houses as key players in social prescribing and community resilience 

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Participating Neighbourhood Houses

 

Continuing from the Pilot Project:

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Newly participating in Phase 2:

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Project support and evaluation

 

We are fortunate again to be working with Leanne Fitzgerald, creator of the LOBL model and consultant for the project. Leanne is helping to refine methods for evaluating the project's impact on:

  • Health and wellbeing

  • People's sense of connection

  • The continued development of the LOBL model

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Results so far

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Across the nine participating neighbourhood houses, since July 2024:

  • 249 people have attended a Talking Cafe

  • 106 people have been referred to social activity, either at a neighbourhood house or other community group

  • 26 volunteers have supported the Talking Cafes

  • 22 community stakeholders have referred people to the project 

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Living Our Best Life community connecting model​
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The Living Our Best Life (LOBL) project was funded in 2019 to trial a model of social prescribing inspired by the work of Mendip Health Connections and the Bromley by Bow Centre in the United Kingdom. ‘Social prescribing’ is the practice where health professionals provide a referral for a patient to be linked into social services and activities to address the social determinant contributing to poor health, loneliness and isolation.

 

The impacts of loneliness and isolation on people’s mental health are well understood. However, there is growing evidence that loneliness and isolation also have significant and detrimental impact on physical health. It is an issue that can effect anybody in our community, no matter what age or demographic.

 

LOBL has three key components:​​

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COMMUNITY CONNECTING

People enter the program in two main ways: social prescribing from a GP, social worker etc; and self referral eg through signposting, Talking Cafes or marketing material. They participate formally (through the Community Connector) or informally (through Talking Cafes and/or signposting). 

 

The Community Connector is a volunteer or staff member who will work with the person who has been referred to help them find a social activity that interests them, and then help them to participate until they are able to do so on their own.

 

This component also includes a community directory which identifies all social activity happening in the community, not only what is provided by neighbourhood houses. This online directory can be made available to anyone in the community.

TALKING CAFES

These are sessions that take place in a café in the general community at regular times (preferably weekly) and hosted by a volunteer. It’s important that the cafes are set up in a public café that is accessible to anyone in the community, not in a neighbourhood house.

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You can listen to Talking Cafe participants talk about their experience here.

SIGNPOSTING

This is providing information and potentially some training to people who are in touch with people who may be quite disconnected. This includes library staff, hairdressers, and people providing home care services. 

The LOBL model has proven to be highly impactful, with 90% of participants reporting improved community involvement, and 100% of referring health professionals reporting a valuable increase in optimism and positivity in patients and all saying they would recommend the program to their peers.

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You can find out more about the LOBL model by visiting the project webpage here.

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