A Dubbo-based social enterprise alleviating loneliness with handwritten letters has launched a new and national program to help people find a sense of community from their own home.
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A Book Club, Garden Club, Cooking Club and Social Club are the four online hobby groups of Connected AU.
Founder Mea Campbell reports there has been a "fantastic response" and steady growth every week since their launch in May.
The hobby groups are in addition to Connected AU's flagship, The Letterbox Project, born from Ms Campbell's concerns the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exposed thousands of vulnerable people to social isolation and loneliness.
This week Ms Campbell said the hobby groups were always in her longer-term plans, but she decided to move ahead after having so many younger people wanting connection through The Letterbox Project.
"Loneliness is indiscriminate, and it became really clear that so many younger people were struggling with isolation and loneliness and looking for ways to connect," she said.
"I developed the four hobbies specifically for a broader demographic and it has really resonated with all ages.
"In the groups we have lots of parents at home with young children feeling disconnected, people on farms or living rurally feeling isolated, people of all ages wanting to avoid social media and connect online in a way that nurtures well-being."
The Dubbo woman on a mission said the hobby groups were like traditional hobby groups, where people could find friends, enjoy themes and topics, monthly meetings and special guests.
"We just tweaked things a little bit and brought them entirely online, so people anywhere in Australia can find connection from their own home," Ms Campbell said.
Together the hobby groups - which people pay $15 a month for membership - are attracting probably an average of five to six people every day, the founder reports.
"The feedback varies but all has an underlying theme of connection," Ms Campbell said.
For one reason or another the people are looking for connection, whether they are lonely, isolated, or looking for other like-minded people that they mightn't meet in everyday life.
- Connected AU founder Mea Campbell
"For one reason or another the people are looking for connection, whether they are lonely, isolated, or looking for other like-minded people that they mightn't meet in everyday life."
Charlotte Brougham came on board in April and works in the hobby groups program.
She is the main point of contact for members and the "creative mind" behind the monthly themes and topics, Ms Campbell says.
"For the cooking club she has chosen Italian Cooking, Sweet Treats and then The Best of The Best Meat Pies as the next three months' themes so I think she is keeping members happy," Ms Campbell said.
Ms Campbell said she did considerable research before choosing the four groups.
The three themed groups - book, cooking and garden - are the most popular interests/hobbies across the country so it makes sense to start with them, she said.
"We can add more groups with more niched themes as we develop," she said.
"The Social Club was just my idea of connecting people who didn't want to explore a hobby, they just wanted pure connection.
"I thought of the 'after work' drinks and other social activities we all engage in, and so wanted to create something similar online so people who aren't lucky enough to have opportunities to connect with others can join.
"The Social Club end of month meetings are at 6pm on a Friday night and it's so nice seeing people connect."
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Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
