For John, community connection has been life-changing

For Glen Eira local John, connecting with his community after his wife died was a life saver.

John was the first participant in the free Connect Local project led by the Bolton Clarke Research Institute. The project uses an innovative social prescribing model to improve wellbeing by connecting over-65s at risk of isolation with their communities.

“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much when I contacted Connect Local,” John says.

“After my wife died, I had nothing to do, I was lost. I was going for days without speaking to anyone, I was really quite lonely.

“I just happened to see something at the bottom of the page in the local paper and thought I’d fill in the form online and see what happened.”

He got a call the next day and was paired with a community connector who helped him make a plan and find local groups that suited his needs.

“They checked in with me to ensure I had everything I needed and kept following up until I was settled,” he says. “I’m so glad I made the call – it was a life-saving call for me.”

Since then, John says his life has changed dramatically.

“Connect Local introduced me to Caulfield South Community House, and I started to come on a Thursday afternoon to play cards.

“Now I come four or five times a week – I’m meeting people now and helping out there, my life has changed completely. I’m a lot happier and more positive in my thinking – I just feel better.”

Connect Local is funded by The Ian Potter Foundation. For more information or to sign up visit www.connectlocal.org.au