Loneliness is a health risk that disproportionately affects the mental health of people on low incomes (AIHW, 2021). Loneliness has immediate effects on health and also burdens healthcare systems as it increases health service use (Ending Loneliness Together, 2020). The research ‘Social Connections in Neighbourhood Houses’ is a collaboration between RMIT, The University of Melbourne and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria (NHVic) to develop effective pathways to social connections for people who live in systemically disadvantaged areas. The aim of the proposed research is to identify how Victoria’s extensive network of over 400 neighbourhood houses can be strategically deployed to offer increased social engagement opportunities to the groups who have been found to be most at risk of loneliness, including young people aged 18-35, people with disability and people on income support (AIHW, 2021).
As independently run community centres that have a relatively high proportion of people who experience disadvantage in their user base, neighbourhood houses have potential to play a key role in loneliness prevention (NHVic, 2019). This research analyses this potential and utilises insights in the development of a social connections method for use in neighbourhood houses. The method will be co-designed by neighbourhood house participants in selected neighbourhood houses through a series of facilitated workshops. By following a community-led participatory methodology, the research gives participants influence over neighbourhood house programming and ensures that opportunities for social connection are created in ways that are culturally sensitive and suitable to social and economic circumstances. Through existing partnerships with NHVic, three neighbourhood house participants with lived experience of disadvantage contribute to the project as community researchers. They are working alongside university researchers to inform the development of the method through its co-design, implementation and evaluation stages. This approach will enhance the wellbeing of people experiencing social isolation by creating a replicable and scalable process that pro-actively engages people in shaping activities. The research will generate new evidence on interventions that foster social connection for people who face systemic inequity and is expected to generate sustainable mental health outcomes for Victorians most at risk of social isolation.
