Emily Chapman Laing
Victorians were labelled the loneliest Australians during the pandemic, according to The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
While the effects of social isolation still linger, March’s upcoming Neighbour Day may offer much-needed respite.
In their new Clyde North location, Balla Balla Community Centre is hosting a Neighbour Day event in support of growing community social connections.
“This [event] fosters harmony and social connections that can last a lifetime,” said Balla Balla manager Maree Cullinan.
Melbourne man Andrew Heslop founded Neighbour Day in 2003 as a response to concerns regarding social isolation, after an elderly woman’s body was discovered inside her home more than two years after her death.
“[We’re missing] that sense of community,” Heslop told The Project in 2012.
“Using Neighbour Day as a catalyst is going to change those relationships.”
In an era where many people know strangers online better than they know their real-life neighbours, in-person interactions are becoming less comfortable and less common.
However, the team at Balla Balla champion the benefits that true human interactions can have.
“Nothing can ever replace being connected to other humans face-to-face,” Ms Cullinan said.
“It is a time when we can really check in on people as many things can be hidden behind the veil of online interactions.
“This is particularly important around mental health, by seeing someone in person you may pick up on things that you would never notice if you were only communicating online.
“Living in a neighbourhood and being connected gives a sense of belonging and every human wants that, right?”
Australians are losing an important section of their local safety net in abandoning neighbourly social traditions, Ms Cullinan says.
“When you know people in your neighbourhood, you have people you can reach out to if you need a hand, like someone to feed you dog if you are away for the night, someone to empty your mailbox if you are away.
“There is so much evidence that supports the value of social connections and having a good relationship with neighbours.
“And post Covid, it’s become even more paramount.”
Dr Michelle H Lim, Scientific Chair of the Australian Coalition to End Loneliness, noted in a 2018 report that loneliness is an issue of epidemic proportions for Australians.
“Loneliness, defined as a subjective experience of social isolation, has been identified as the next public health epidemic of the 21st century,” Dr Lim said.
A survey conducted by the Australian National University found the loneliest of all Australians are those aged between 18 and 24.
Dr Lim’s research reports these findings, as she noted that young Victorian adults reported a higher frequency of “problematic” levels of loneliness compared to adolescents.
“This is when the basic human needs of friendship and social engagement can be therapeutic,” Aman Kaur, Mindstep Mental Health Coach for Remedy Healthcare told Australian Unity.
Researchers for the Australian Institute of Family Studies Sam Robinson and Paula Mance report that isolation is on the rise, and it is community programs, like those provided by Balla Balla, that are being offered as an antidote.
These findings are echoed by Kaur, who recommends community engagement as a way to negate the distress of loneliness.
“Based on what we know from existing research evidence on the links between social connection, loneliness and health, the Neighbour Day program has the potential to contribute to broader efforts to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of people, families and communities around Australia,” Robinson and Mance said.
Neighbour Day is just one event in a jam-packed month for Balla Balla.
The centre kicked things off with their International Women’s Day celebration on Wednesday March 8, which featured an African Drumming session and morning tea.
“We have had African Drumming previously and it provides a very positive and empowering opportunity for all who participate,” Ms Cullinan said.
“This is very important as we slowly recover and get back to what is normal for us, post Covid.
“It gives women the opportunity to come together and share in an experience that will fill their cup with joy and peace.
“These types of events bring the community together to share time, food and friendship.”
March will see other significant events from the centre, including Harmony Day and an Open Day, which aim to create important social connections and honour the diversity of the local community, all within Balla Balla’s new space.
“Cranbourne and Clyde North are areas where there is a lot of cultural diversity,” said Ms Cullinan.
“Coming together as a community is a wonderful opportunity to share our culture, experiences and food so that we have a better understanding of other people’s lives and stories.”
The team has had a glowing response from locals regarding their new home.
“The building is beautiful. The larger space allows us to provide more programs/activities for the community and more services such as job advocates to assist with finding a job, Justice of the Peace five days a week and EACH to support those people suffering with mental health.”
