Loneliness, as outlined in Belgravia Foundation’s Executive Officer Damian Gorman’s recently penned thought leadership piece, can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental and physical health. Experienced across every age group and in every community, it has crept up on us as a society and is now considered by the World Health Organization as a priority public health issue worldwide.
Recognising that our offerings can and do make a significant difference in this space, Belgravia Leisure has in recent years partnered with Ending Loneliness Together and their annual campaign in August, Loneliness Awareness Week.
This year’s theme – Make Room for Connection – provided Belgravia Leisure teams across Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to ‘make room for connection’ in the lives of their members and guests in small but impactful ways.
“Given that connection happens in the spaces we create for one another, it makes sense that our leisure and aquatic venues, tourist parks, golf courses and sporting stadiums – the very places people use to come together – help drive the movement towards ending loneliness,” said Damian.
“Giving people as many opportunities to connect with others in these spaces, particularly if they are experiencing feelings of loneliness, is not a nice to have or a bonus. Rather it’s our responsibility as custodians of these community assets and should be a consideration in all our decision making.”
A range of venues participated in Loneliness Awareness Week 2026 from 3-9 August:
- Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre: Held a brunch, Community Connection Chains and a farewell celebration for Coach Vee
- Cleveland Aquatic Centre: Ran a Family Morning Tea with 18 attendees from Learn to Swim families
- Gungahlin Leisure Centre: Acknowledged the week with a Coffee and Connect sessions, games afternoons and a Kindness Wall
- Redcliffe War Memorial Swimming Pool: Water walkers celebrated the strong support network they have built in and beyond the pool
- Burpengary Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre: Welcomed 35 attendees to a Members Breakfast with meaningful conversations about loneliness
- Knox Leisureworks: Held Puzzle Pals, created a Kindness Wall and Coffee with a Cop
- Active Merri-bek: Initiated Bring-a-friend fitness, yoga and coffee catch-ups, aqua come-and-try and meditation sessions
- MOVE Moonee Valley: Held conversation starters designed to encourage connection and meaningful discussion
- WaterMarc: Promoted walking groups, offered Bring a Friend Free classes and partnered with Northside Nutrition Hub for a Hydration Station with free drinks and an opportunity to connect
- Club Jubilee One: Held a community puzzle station
- Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre: Created a connection box and bring a friend for free
- Ferny Hills Aquatic Centre: Created a connection playlist
- Bright Sports Centre: Bring a friend, walking group and coffee come and try group fitness classes
- Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre: Launched a monthly all abilities disco to support social connection ahead of Loneliness Awareness week.
Through these simple yet surprisingly profound activations, Belgravia Leisure venues are helping create spaces where people feel seen, supported and connected. By fostering opportunities for meaningful interaction, our teams are playing an important role in strengthening community wellbeing and helping address loneliness at a local level.
Key facts:
- Partnership/Initiative: Belgravia Leisure’s participation in Loneliness Awareness Week 2026 – Make Room for Connection
- Who was involved: Belgravia Leisure venues across Australia and New Zealand, venue teams, members and guests
- When: 3–9 August 2026
- Where: Participating Belgravia Leisure aquatic, leisure, golf, tourism and sporting venues across Australia and New Zealand
- Why it exists: To create opportunities for meaningful social connection and help address loneliness, a growing public health issue
- Community impact: Encouraged community connection, strengthened wellbeing and created welcoming spaces where people feel seen, supported and connected
