Catching up for social connection

If there’s one thing you should know about these Believe Housing Australia tenants from the north-east, it’s that they sure know how to throw a party.

From movie nights, roast lunches, card games, pool, or bingo, this close-knit group of neighbours love to get together several times a week and catch up.

“We are a close-knit group here,” said Judy.

“We have all been living here quite a long time, so we have become a little family.”

Judy and her husband Ray have called a unit in an over-55s complex managed by Believe Housing Australia their home for 18 years.

They’re part of the group involved in planning the weekly activities and throwing the odd party in the community room located in the complex, provided by Believe Housing Australia.

Judy and several other tenants, including Olannah, plan different activities to get the community together, while Ray is the unofficial photographer, documenting the good times shared by the residents over the years.

Looking back through Ray’s photo collection, there’s always a good turnout for the community gatherings, with about 15 people attending the activities each week.

When asked if it was a challenge to get that many people to attend social activities, particularly those who might feel uncomfortable attending alone, Judy joked: “I don’t give them a chance – I just say, you’re coming.”

Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly widespread among Australians over 65, with this age group more likely to feel alone.

Judy said maintaining regular contact with their neighbours was helping to widen the community’s social circles and reduce isolation.

“We check on each other and everyone does what they can to help, which is really nice,” Judy said.

“If we haven’t seen someone in a while, we go over there and make sure they are okay.”

Olannah said providing opportunities for everyone to get to know their neighbours was the main reason why they continue to plan social activities, more than a decade on.

“We can all be isolated in our units,” Olannah said.

“These events bring people together and they have a bit of a laugh. When they leave, they all say they had a good time.

“For the couple hours they are here, they just really seem to relax and enjoy themselves.”