10 minute read
Turning the tide on loneliness
Turning the tide
The Lane Cove community is part of a new research study – the first of its kind in Australia – that has been designed to better understand the predictors of loneliness.
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The research is hoping to identify the main causes of loneliness and how communities can best address this issue through effective programs.
Dr Michelle Lim is a Senior Lecturer at the Iverson Health Innovation Institute in Melbourne and the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Australian Coalition to End Loneliness. Her main research focus to date has been to develop evidence-based psychological interventions that can reduce loneliness in young people with mental ill health.
“Loneliness is not just a social issue – it’s also a health issue – and the two most vulnerable groups are 15-25 year olds and over 65 year olds.
“Our research so far has shown that one of the biggest predictors for loneliness is a high level of social anxiety. As people start to increasingly feel disconnected from their peers, it impacts their mental health,” says Dr Lim.
“The risk factors that contribute to loneliness are on the rise, with more people living by themselves or away from their support networks, and increasing divorce rates.
“By conducting a large-scale research study, we hope to identify and better understand predictors and risk factors, together with the trends in loneliness. With this data, we can better design effective interventions that can be implemented and rolled out within communities.”
The research study will take place over the next two years and researchers are hoping to get over 1000 respondents.
“Anyone can participate – whether you are feeling lonely or not. We’d love Australians from all walks of life to be involved and we’re hoping that it will provide us with a better understanding of how factors such as age, gender, relationship status and socio-economic status play into this issue, and its associated impacts on physical health, mental health, network health and overall quality of life.”
A forum on this topic is being held in Lane Cove on Tuesday 29th May. Everyone in the community is invited to attend the event to learn more about the science of loneliness and to participate in a discussion forum about how to tackle loneliness.
“Loneliness is something that everyone can feel at some point in their lives. By joining forces with the community, we’re hoping to design public health programs that are effective in stemming loneliness. Fruitful discussion assists this process,” says Dr Lim.
“Considering how common loneliness is and its long-term health impacts, a better understanding of its causes and what we can do to minimise it is an important step.”
See page 25 for more information, or to register, phone 9428 2240.
Early Education Centres
inspiring young minds to be confident • French Language Program • Yoga and Sport Programs • Music Program • Physiotherapy MobilityJImagine this for your child individuals
Greenwood Lane Cove P. 9042 0460 | A. 150 Epping Rd e.lanecove@greenwood.com.au | www.greenwood.com.au all inclusive BeneFits
• Extended care from 7am–6pm • In-house qualified chef provides fresh, nutritious meals daily • Unique G-Curriculum and Extra Curricular Programs • From birth to 6 years old • Natural outdoor play areas for children to use for sensory experiences
100 words
I woke up suddenly. The boys' dormitory was in darkness and, as my eyes adjusted to the night, I saw tiny sparkling lights above my bed. They were fireflies, their fluorescent lit bodies dancing in carefree abandon. I watched them in delight, hoping my sleeping companions would also wake to see this wonderful sight. I decided to catch some. A number of them finished up in my knotted handkerchief under my mosquito net where they gave out a combined light strong enough to read by. I finally released them, to continue their spectacular routine, remembering this as an unforgettable experience.
George Warder, North Manly
The couple sit side-by-side resting their heads together. They gaze at each other lovingly while surveying their hard work. Weeks and weeks of renovations. Toiling day-in-day-out preparing their special home. What luck securing this beautiful vantage point overlooking Woodford Bay, Longueville. Finally all is ready. Maybe a baby soon to make this a real home? Off they go for the day. Returning in the evening they stop short. Squatters! They sit off at a distance watching the interlopers. What to do? Fortunately the cheeky pair of lorikeets vacate the gum tree hollow and the two pink galahs rightfully settle in.
Sally Spurr, Longueville
Atlanta, Georgia 1990. International Sporting Convention, 6pm - exhausted and hungry. I returned to my hotel for dinner and bed. I passed a busy McDonald’s. A Big Mac was beckoning! Selecting a secluded corner, I placed my black coat on the back of the chair and ate my meal. On to the Hilton and my room. Reached for my key – no key, no coat! Breaking all speed records, I raced back to McDonald’s. In that same corner, on the back of my previous chair, was hanging my coat, passport, money and room key. “Yes Virginia! There is a God.”
Peter Barclay, Lane Cove
“Damn! I’m gonna be late!” she said as she checked her watch. She ran towards the sign for ‘Grease auditions’. As she ran in, she bumped into a young lady and tripped. She screeched. The lady quickly ran over to help her. “Are you alright?” the lady said. “I’m alright. Thank you...” “The name’s Olivia Jones,” she said, extending her hand towards her. Emily shook it lightly. “My name’s Emily Joan.” After they had greeted each other, Emily took off running again. Olivia walked the opposite direction. This small coincidence would lead to the blossoming of a strong friendship.
Taotao Jiang, 12 years
“He didn’t notice.” She smiled, a little ironically he thought. “We’re home free, darling.” “Yes. But it is your home, not ours.” “Well, it’s never bothered you before.” She arched her eyebrow suggestively, and he smiled without humour. Suddenly it seemed tacky. What had they done? He put down his napkin. “Susan,” he said carefully. “I want you to understand that I do love you, truly, but….” She paled. “But what?” “I’m just not sure I want to go through with this. Not yet, anyway.” “You bastard!” she hissed. “You. weak. bastard.” Her face seemed to collapse. “How could you?”
Alan Bird, Hunters Hill
The industrial light overhead cast luminous geometric shapes over the surface of my coffee. The ceramic cup was presented atop a miniature South American rug doubling as a coaster. The accompanying card described it as an ‘Guatemala Bella Elizabeth with tasting notes of cocoa, honey and raspberry’. It was a choice between this and the ‘Guatemala Finca Rosa blend with notes of bubblegum, strawberry and coconut’. The hipster barista looked worried when I requested warm milk, as if I’d committed a caffeine crime. I wondered when life’s simple pleasures became so complicated... as I stirred and smiled.
Perihan Bozkurt, Lane Cove
As the thief fiddled with his pocket watch, he knew how far back he had to travel. He smiled as he looked at his most recent ‘acquisitions.’ He was going back to the best, most treasured possession he could have had. Three turns. The magic worked. There he was. The watch only allowed him one hour visits. The old lady was lying in her bed, breathing with difficulty. His eyes clouded as he looked at her last hour of life. This was the only treasure he couldn’t take back with him. “You will not die alone grandma. I missed you”
Stephanie Bugeja, Lane Cove
TO ENTER: Email your story with your name, address and phone number to
editor@thevillageobserver.com.au.
CONDITIONS: Stories must be exactly 100 words and can be about any subject and in any writing style. They must be original and unpublished. There is no limit to the number of stories that you contribute during the year. Each month, selected entries will be published in TVO. At the end of the year, all entries will be judged based on their originality and creativity.
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Drowning, suffocated, strangled, overwhelmed and in pain. I felt the intense pain of immense weight on my arm, I tasted the salty water on my tongue, I saw waves crashing on the rock and I heard the splashing of the waves as I crashed against the hard and ridged rock. My arm throbbing from being trapped under the heavy boulder. Thinking of my family, friends and the amazing memories of my life. I lost all hope taking my last gasp of air. Then seeing my salvation, a lifeguard extending his hand like extending new life. Now I breathe new life.
Amisha Khatri, 12 years
Passing with flying colours
Last week we had a visit from an auditor who put us through our paces for what is called Third Party Verification. Essentially, this is what is required for us to demonstrate that we are a fit and proper provider of services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme to provide support and services to people with a disability.
Last year we went through a Quality Review which was a similar process, but one conducted by the National Aged Care Quality Agency, and that identified us as being fit and proper to provide services to older people through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. We passed both with flying colours.
Why am I telling you this? Because I think you will be reassured that your local Community Service is fully accredited and has in place systems, policies and procedures to ensure that vulnerable people in our community can get a high quality, reliable and trustworthy service in their own homes from a local provider that has been around for over 50 years. (Both Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services and Lane Cove North Side Community Services were established over 50 years ago, before merging last July to become Sydney Community Services).
An audit or review is an excellent opportunity for an organisation like ours to step back and look at all the policies and procedures in place to make sure they are up-to-date with current legislation, and that staff, volunteers and clients are fully aware of them. This year we want to set up a rolling program to review policies, and for those involving the community, we want to include local residents in that review and ask them to assess whether we are following our policies and whether they are appropriate for the work we do. Let me know if you would like to be involved.
Come and taste fine wine and good food and support your local community groups at the same time.
On Sunday 6th May, Hunters Hill invites locals to come along to the annual Food and Wine Festival, which has been held since 2000. All proceeds go towards supporting local community groups like us, as well as Hunters Hill Ryde Men’s Shed, Hunters Hill SES and the St John’s Ambulance Service in Gladesville. The festival is run by volunteers and attracts huge crowds of people who appreciate fine wines, excellent food and love gourmet produce and treats.
It’s at Boronia Park Oval, 11am to 5pm on May 6th. Hope to see you there!
Have Your Say on Council's Plans
Following preliminary community consultation, Council has prepared a Draft Community Strategic Plan, Liveable Lane Cove: 2035. The plan aims to reflect the community’s vision, aspirations and main priorities as we move towards 2035. A three-year Delivery Program and Operational Plan, which outlines the actions to be implemented in order to achieve our long term objectives, and a budget that supports these actions have also been prepared. Council is now seeking feedback from the community on these plans along with our Draft Fees & Charges for 2018–19. To find out more, please visit our online exhibition at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/liveablelanecove or view the documents at the Lane Cove Civic Centre, the Lane Cove Library, or Greenwich Library. You can Have Your Say by completing our online survey or making a submission to the General Manager by: • Post: PO Box 20, Lane Cove 1595; • Fax: 9911 3600; or • Email: service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
