Welcome to our May Connect Local News

Welcome to our May newsletter! We hope you had the chance to take part in some Neighbour Day activities—we certainly enjoyed co-hosting a few morning teas across the area to help spark connection and conversation in our local neighbourhoods.

As we transition into the cooler months, there are plenty of exciting events and opportunities to stay connected, and we’re here to keep you in the loop!

Also in this edition:

• We introduce you to Theresa, our Connect Local Masters Student, who shares a bit about herself, what inspired her project, and what she’s been working on with the team.
• We're also featuring two incredible community members: Maria, one of our valued participants, and Susie, a dedicated volunteer with Meaningful Connections, a Volunteer Visitor Scheme.
• We’ll share the latest from our Friends of Connect Local group—including how you can get involved.
• Plus, we’ll hear from Taryn, one of our Community Connectors, who’ll walk us through what to expect when you first connect with the program.
• Check out what’s happening in the community, including some great activities during Neighbourhood House Week.
• Finally, you are invited to complete a short survey from COTA Victoria to assist with their research on social connectedness and engagement amongst older Victorians.

To keep up with the latest news events in Glen Eira, please be sure to follow and like us on Facebook.

Warm regards,

The Connect Local Team

Rajna, Kerry, Ann, Taryn, Lynn, Liz, Sarah and Theresa

While the heart of our work is in the connections we build, numbers can help tell part of the story too. Here’s a quick look at some of our recent activity and the difference we are making in the community.

At the end of March, the Connect Local team had a fantastic week celebrating Neighbour Day alongside our wonderful Community Houses and Chatty Cafes. Held on the last Sunday of March, Neighbour Day is a national initiative that encourages everyone to connect with their neighbours—whether it’s with a wave, a smile, or a cuppa and a chat.

We marked the occasion by co-hosting a series of morning teas across Glen Eira, made possible through partnerships with Caulfield South Community House, Moongala Women's Community House, Glen Eira Adult Learning Centre, St John's Uniting Church Elsternwick, and Phoenix Park Neighbourhood House.

These events were filled with delicious food, warm drinks, and great conversations that truly embodied the spirit of Neighbour Day.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Hong Kong and came to Melbourne in 2013. I have been working as an occupational therapist for 8 years, where I support older adults to live safely and independently at home. Over time, I realised that many of the challenges my clients experienced went beyond my scope of practice. That inspired me to study a Master of Public Health and led me to a placement opportunity as part of the Connect Local team. My goal is to make a broader and more lasting impact on community health and wellbeing.  

What are you working on during your time at Connect Local?

I am currently working on a project about transport - specifically related to how older community members access social and community activities. We know many older adults are struggling to find options that suit their needs and schedules. As part of my project, I have looked into national and international transport strategies that enhance community activity participation, and I am conducting discussion groups with local residents and community service providers in the City of Glen Eira. Together, we hope to explore practical, sustainable and community-driven strategies to help older community members to stay connected and active in their communities.

Maria, a participant in the Connect Local program, was referred to Better Health Network’s Meaningful Connections program in July 2024 by her Community Connector, Lynn. After getting to know Maria and understanding her interests and circumstances, Lynn felt the program would be the perfect way to add a little extra companionship—and joy—into Maria’s life.

Meaningful Connections provides meaningful engagement for recipients through regular visits from friendly, carefully matched volunteers. That’s how Susie came to meet Maria—and her husband, Gunter.

Susie joined the program in 2024, eager to give back to the community after moving from a busy rural life to the city. Already volunteering with an organisation that supports children, she also wanted to do something meaningful with older people in her new community.

Maria, who adores animals and still enjoys weekends at the rural property she and Gunter own, immediately connected with Susie. Their shared love of the country was one of the factors considered when making the match.

From the very first visit, it was clear they’d found something special. Over cups of tea, they chat about life, share memories, and occasionally enjoy a home concert thanks to Gunter’s musical talents.

With Susie there, Gunter gets a chance to take a well-earned break from his caring role, while Maria enjoys some female company and plenty of laughs—often heard bubbling out from the kitchen.

Susie says she would recommend becoming a Meaningful Connections volunteer to anyone considering it:

“You get back more than you give,” she says. “And you make some truly lovely friends along the way.”

How does it work?

You can speak to your Community Connector and ask them to refer you to the program. Alternatively, you can contact Better Health Network (BHN) directly for more information (contact details below).

Your volunteer visitor will develop a friendship with you by visiting at least once a fortnight on an ongoing basis. If you are not compatible with the visitor you have been matched with, BHN will find you another one.

Note that there is no cost for this service and volunteer visitors are for social engagement only.

To learn more about Meaningful Connections and other volunteering opportunities at Better Health Network, visit:
🔗 bhn.org.au/getting-involved/volunteering
📞 Or call Better Health Network on 03 8587 0322

What’s our volunteer ambassador program, Friends of Connect Local, all about? Let’s hear from Ann, Connect Local’s newly appointed Friends of Connect Local Coordinator!

You might have heard of ‘Friends of....’ groups. There are plenty of these groups around- most being attached to a local park or reserve. Ours is a ‘Friends of ..’ group with a difference! It's not attached to a place but to our Connect Local program. I’m guessing that if you are reading this, then you are somehow connected to Connect Local. Do I have that right? And if you are somehow connected to our program, then you will know that it is a program that supports people to connect with others and do the things they love doing. Would you say this is true for you?

We need to let more people know about our program. Connection is so important for health and wellbeing both for us as individuals and for the health of our communities. We have so few places to advertise our program these days and so many of the people who would benefit from Connect Local don’t use social media. So, we are going old, old school – back to the grapevine. Word of mouth is a really great way to share information, and now that you are all socially connected, we would love you to share Connect Local information, with the people that you meet. You, telling your story about our program could connect someone who really needs it with us!

One last thing, if you have time and energy to do just a little bit more in making a positive impact in our communities, and you’d like to come along to a Friends of Connect Local group session, then just let us know.

You can call us on 1800 929 022 or email Ann aleerdam@boltonclarke.com.au

What happens when you meet with a Community Connector from the Connect Local Program?

A Community Connector helps link you with activities and social opportunities already happening in the local area. They do the hard work for you—finding options based on what’s available or researching something you're interested in.

There are 5 simple steps in the process:

Step 1: Make a Time to Meet
After you have been referred to the program, one of the Community Connectors will contact you to make a time to meet that suits you. You can meet either in person or over the phone.  For the in-person meeting, they can meet with you at home or somewhere in the local community where you can have a good conversation.

Step 2: First Meeting
The first meeting is usually around 90 minutes to two hours. In this time, you'll talk about your interests, what you've done in the past, and any challenges you face in getting involved. Then the Connector will help you set an achievable goal. Together, you will find up to three activities for you to try in the Glen Eira community. After your meeting the Connector will send you an Activity Plan outlining your conversation together, the details of the activities you have found, and your plan to move forward.

Step 3: Going to an Activity
The Community Connector can go with you to your first activity or, if you chose to go by yourself, they will check in regularly to see how things are going. If the first activities you attend don’t feel right, they’ll go back to Step 2 with you and help you explore new activities until you find something that fits your needs and goals.

Step 4: Optional Research Component
Connect Local is being evaluated (it's a requirement of the funding), and you’ll be invited to partake in this evaluation once you’re underway with Connect Local. Our evaluation will show the Government and other potential funders how important social connection is, which will help us receive ongoing funding. If you’re happy to help with our evaluation (it’s optional), our Connector will link you with one of our evaluation team who will call you and ask you some more questions.

Step 5: Ongoing
Your Community Connector will work with you for several months to support you to connect with an activity. If the connections you make are not the right fit for you, you can keep working with your Connector to find out about other opportunities. You might also choose to become a Friend of Connect Local to spread the word about this important program.

Neighbourhood House Week is an annual national celebration, recognising the important contribution our Neighbourhood Houses make in local communities.
 

This year, from 12 to 18 May 2025, the theme is "Ripples of Change"
 
Every action, no matter how small, has the power to create a ripple effect — spreading kindness, sparking ideas, and strengthening communities. A friendly smile, a shared story, a new skill — these small moments add up to something big, sending waves of meaningful change that extends far beyond our local neighbourhoods.

We encourage you to visit the Neighbourhood House in your area to check out what’s happening.

Caulfield South Community House. 450-452 Kooyong Road, Caufield South. Tel 9596 8643

GEALC 169A McKinnon Road, McKinnon. Tel 9578 8996

Moongala, Moorleigh Community Village, 92 Bignell Rd, Bentleigh East. Tel 9570 3468

Bookings are required for all Moongala events  - call 9570 3468 or email admin@moongala.org.au

Godfrey Street Community House, 9 Godfrey Street, Bentleigh. Tel 9557 9037

Neighbourhood House Week:

Godfrey Street Community House invites you to participate and experience the community at our Neighbourhood House. We have some additional activities happening across the week to encourage new connections and conversations.

These two events are FREE, bookings essential.

Call 9557 9037 or email admin@godfreystreet.org to book or for more information

The Meeting Place, 117 Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena. Tel 9568 8177

Join us during Neighbourhood House Week, and connect with locals, whether it’s over a cuppa, a new exercise class or something creative, we have something for everyone. Join us in celebrating the power of small actions that lead to big impacts and a more connected happy community.

We welcome you to attend the following FREE activities.

Thursday 15th May 2025 – 10am – 11am - FREE event – all welcome!

Morning Tea with Probus Malvern East- Join us for a delightful Morning Tea with Probus East Malvern!

Discover how you can become part of this vibrant group dedicated to friendship, fun, and connection. Meet local members, hear firsthand about their experiences, and learn more about the exciting activities Probus has to offer.

Did you know that Glen Eira is home to not one, but two University of the Third Age (U3A) organisations?

These vibrant communities offer a wealth of opportunities for lifelong learning, social engagement, and personal growth.

Understanding Dementia

Friday 23 May 2pm–3pm Carnegie Library and Community Centre

Dementia isn’t just one condition — it’s a group of symptoms caused by disorders that impact the brain, affecting memory, thinking and behaviour. But here’s the good news: scientific research shows that adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of developing dementia. In this session, we’ll dive into the key signs and symptoms to watch out for, explore practical ways to reduce your risk and share information on available support.

Presented by Bolton Clarke. Suitable for adults.
Free event and bookings essential at library.gleneira.vic.gov.au or 9524 3700

COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria are seeking to better understand if and how people aged 65 and older are staying socially connected and engaged, and what we can do to support stronger connectedness outcomes.

We invite you to complete a short survey to assist with this research. Your response will be anonymous and we will not collect any identifying information. 

Complete our social connectedness survey

EVENT: Social connection & ageing: A community conversation

COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria invites older Victorians to participate in an exciting new research initiative that explores how they maintain social connections. This in-person, member event (free membership sign-up located here!) offers you the chance to identify opportunities to increase access to services and programs that support older Victorians.

Share your experiences, discuss barriers to social engagement, and propose practical solutions that could make a real difference in your community. Your insights will directly inform advocacy efforts and help develop more effective support systems across Victoria.

Learn more and secure your FREE ticket