Following the success of the 2024 Loneliness Awareness Week campaign, Belgravia Foundation and Ending Loneliness Together have made significant strides in addressing Australia’s growing loneliness epidemic, with leisure centres playing a huge role in fostering meaningful social connections.
The impact of Loneliness Awareness Week (5 – 11 August 2024)
Ending Loneliness Together’s 2024 impact report has shared that the campaign clearly resonated with Australians, achieving over 500 million social media and media impressions as well as a 400% increase in website visits.
Additionally, during Loneliness Awareness Week, 2,500 people sought connection and there were 3,300 downloads of the Ending Loneliness Together supporter toolkit, report and tipsheet.
Dr Jeff Walkley, Belgravia Foundation CEO, is keen to continue building on the partnership with Ending Loneliness Together to highlight the role that community spaces such as leisure centres can have in reducing loneliness and social isolation.
“We have found that 90% of 1,700 group exercise program participants have confirmed the experience substantially supported their mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety), and 75% confirmed the experience helped them prevent loneliness,” Dr Walkley said.
MOVE Moonee Valley
Survey data from MOVE Moonee Valley employees further supports this, with 84% of respondents stating that working as part of the team helped them feel less isolated and 88% saying it helped them make new friends, thus reducing social isolation.
The diverse range of activities held at Belgravia Leisure managed venues, including Yarra Centre, Monbulk Aquatic Centre, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre and Keilor East Leisure Centre, demonstrates how these spaces can serve as essential hubs for social interaction.
The Yarra Ranges
The Yarra Ranges programs have shown remarkable success, with 100% of participants stating that the programs helped them meet new people, fostering social growth and reducing isolation. Additionally, 86% of Yarra Valley program participants said they felt a stronger sense of belonging through their involvement in the community.
Real stories of connection
Central to this year’s campaign was the ‘Real Stories’ series, which shared deeply personal accounts of loneliness across different life stages. Stories like Ellen’s, a participant in the Access All Abilities Swim and Social Program, highlighted how leisure activities can bring people together, creating lasting friendships and a sense of belonging. Ellen’s journey is just one of many that highlight the transformative impact of these programs.
Ending Loneliness Together representative said, “As a gold sponsor, Belgravia Foundation’s partnership with Ending Loneliness Together has been crucial in expanding efforts to combat loneliness.
“The foundation has not only provided financial backing but has also delivered programs that directly address the issue. This collaboration will continue to evolve, with plans for even more community-driven initiatives in 2025.”
Belgravia Foundation and Belgravia Leisure will continue to create opportunities for people to come together, with plans to expand the number of leisure programs and community partnerships.
“With a focus on reducing persistent loneliness, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone has a space where they feel connected, valued and supported,” concluded Dr Jeff Walkley.
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