Creating a more connected community

HUMANS are inherently social beings. We thrive when we feel part of something, whether that’s through our sports clubs, our participation in community events or simply catching up with our friends.

Geelong is a social city with a thriving events scene, bolstered by our arts and cultural activities, bustling hospitality industry and a calendar of world-class sporting and outdoor events.

Yet, behind these bustling scenes, many of our residents are being left out. Worrying statistics indicate that a large number of our community members are experiencing loneliness due to a diverse range of social barriers.

According to the 2024 Geelong Preventative Health Survey, one in four Geelong residents reported feeling lonely.

These numbers skyrocket to 61 per cent for people with disability and 57 per cent for single parents.

Our young people aren’t immune either. Sixty per cent of respondents aged 18 to 24 experience loneliness.

The challenge of building social inclusion is complex, but the opportunity is vital to ensuring our region remains a vibrant, liveable and welcoming city.

Data, community voices and local success stories all point to the same conclusion: inclusion must be embedded in the design of our programs, services and infrastructure to succeed.

That’s why the City’s Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) is an invaluable asset, helping us make an environment where everyone feels they belong, has the opportunity to contribute and can access the support and connections needed to thrive.

The SIAG is a group made up of community members who have experienced loneliness or social isolation and want to help make things better for others in similar situations.

They have been tasked with identifying what’s working and areas for improvement when it comes to people feeling connected and included in Greater Geelong.

The group launched in April and is supported by the City of Greater Geelong and funded by the Victorian government in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

With informed, lived experiences, SIAG will support us to deliver programs that better connect those in our region experiencing social isolation.

The barriers for social inclusion have already been identified as wide-ranging and diverse. Common themes include limited transport options, inaccessible community spaces, digital challenges and experiences of stigma or discrimination.

For many residents, multiple barriers can stack up, making social participation incredibly challenging.

By identifying these challenges, we hope that we can reduce the rate of loneliness in our region, improving the health and wellbeing of our residents.

To support the SIAG’s findings, the city is proud to offer SIAG Access Enabler Payments, a funding stream designed to support projects that remove barriers to participation.

This initiative puts real action behind our strategy, with $120,000 in funding now available to support community members to participate in programs, activities or events.

An Access Enabler can provide practical support or adjustment that helps community members participate meaningfully in your programs, activities or events.

Payments can cover a range of supports including transport hire or reimbursement, childcare or respite, interpreting and translation, sensory supports and culturally specific supports to enable participation.

Applications are now open, and I encourage individuals, community groups and organisations to think about who in their networks would benefit from this program.

For more information and to apply, visit geelongcity.vic.gov.au/social-inclusion-action-group-access-enabler-payments