Gladstone making new connections to make a difference
Nearly one in three Australians report feeling lonely – but could Gladstone’s community hold the secrets to help us all connect?
The new Gladstone Community Connection and Inclusion Project is working to ensure we all have a place to belong, and to design new ways to connect and include everyone.
Led by CQUniversity, the project begins by bringing people face to face, with a free workshop at the Philip St Communities and Families Precinct on Wednesday 15 May from 10.30am.
Open to everyone from across the Gladstone community, participants are just asked to bring their experience and their ideas about inclusion – and to stay for a free lunch too!
The project is supported by Gladstone Regional Council and the Salvos, and CQU Social Innovation Program Manager Sara Brown says the Gladstone community has a unique perspective on tackling loneliness and isolation.
“People from all walks of life can feel lonely and disconnected, but Gladstone has a long history of social change and welcoming new arrivals,” Ms Brown said.
“Then shifts in industry and the economy can also affect how people feel connected or disconnected to their neighbours, and the Gladstone community has had to find ways to bridge that."
Ms Brown and her team are especially looking for perspectives from young people, new parents, people with disabilities, and people dealing with mental health challenges.
“Loneliness can hit at every stage of life, and we want to hear from everyone about what sort of connections are most meaningful for them,” she said.
Participants will help co-design, develop and pilot programs that make to roll out in other communities, and promote more connection and inclusion.
Register now to attend - or follow the SpeakPipe link to record a message and share your ideas for growing community!
CQUniversity is Australia’s only social enterprise university, certified by Social Traders. The certification recognises its impact as Australia’s most inclusive, accessible, supportive and socially innovative university.
The Gladstone Community Connection and Inclusion Project is supported by the Queensland Government’s Communities Innovation Fund: Responses to Social Isolation and Loneliness.
*State of the Nation Report into Social Connection, research by Ending Lonelineness Together
