Loneliness and Isolation... The silent killers.

[Quercus]

On the local radio station a guest speaker raises a topic that hits me hard.

He describes visiting people to provide mental health support. All ages. All walks of life. With a curious commonality. Nearly all have almost no contacts on their phone who they can call and talk to. Some have no contacts at all.


Driving my kids to school an hour away I realise this is why I committed to driving. Moving. Because human beings cope better with a community. So we moved to find one.


The idea isn't new. An urban sociologist called Ray Oldenburg wrote about the need for 'Third places'. The first place is home. The second work or study. The third place is informal social spaces. Places to be part of a community.

We see the words loneliness and isolation and the term no support network day after day on the forums.

So I wanted to ask you...


Where do you go to connect with people?

What do you do to form fulfilling connections?

I hope we can give people realistic ideas. Affordable. Practical.


I want to brainstorm ideas of where to start. What to try.


Anyone have a third place they have found rewarding?


❤ Nat

[Quercus]

Hi Lynne,

It was great to read that the forums are a place for you that has helped you connect with others. I feel the same.

You mentioned renting a friend and although my first thought was 'wow is that possible?' the more I thought about it I realised there are plenty of services out there that do this. My Nan has a lady who comes to help her around the home and they always have tea and a chat. Over time they have become good friends.

I think you're onto a good idea here.

As to fur babies... They are essential in my mind too. I'm glad you have a k9 companion.

Nat

[Guest5643]

Hi nat

Theres actualy a website called rent a friend. But you pay up to $60 an hr and a weekly membership fee. I have thought about putting an add on gumtree if theres local lonely people that want to meet in a local park ect but im concerned i might get dodgy creepy people with bad intentions. Meals on wheels type thing would be great but thats only for elderly. I shouldnt complain, some people dont even have any pets so realy i am very lucky. Id have more pets but well to put it very bluntly jesse would not let them live.

cheers lynne

[Paw Prints]

Hi Nat,

Living rural I find the local General Store is a great place to cross paths with others. You can chat as much or as little as you want. My GS also has some tables & chairs & some of the locals meet up there for a natter & a cuppa. It also has a notice board with community events/social get togethers etc.

Shopping at small retailers rather than the big supermarkets. Your local butcher/greengrocer/op shop etc, they remember you after a few visits & it's an easy way to meet people.

Paws

[Quercus]

Hi Paws 😊

Love your suggestion! It's odd that now we live in a rural area I can relate to the idea of meeting people at local stores because like you mentioned once I became a regular people would stop and chat.

Living in the city that didn't seem to happen even in shops I visited over years.