How can I connect?
Delivering programs across Australia for connection, fun and friendship.
Online Hobby Groups
Grow, read, cook your way to happiness.
Our online hobby groups are just like traditional hobby groups. You make friends, enjoy themes and topics, group chats and meetings. We have just moved the groups entirely online. So people anywhere in Australia can join.
We have a Book Club, Cooking Club, Garden Club and Social Club.
Each group has a private members area, weekly newsletters, interactive group chat, lots of resources and an end-of-month meeting to meet virtually and enjoy connection.
Imagine logging on to your book club meeting at 7:30pm on a Friday night with a wine or coffee from your lounge, discussing the latest monthly book, even better when you have guests like Samatha Wills popping in as a special guest.
Or how does our cooking club sound, with monthly themes like ‘Italian Cooking, The Best of The Best Meat Pies, and Sweet Treats!”. Not a course or workshop, just a bunch of people who love food and love to cook enjoying a private community. And the chance to cook together virtually!
For the green thumbs, our garden meetings are on a Saturday morning and our Social Club has a weekly virtual coffee catch up every Thursday afternoon.
The best part?! You can buy a gift voucher and gift a yearly membership to someone who might be a little lonely or isolated. So you can send a community to their loungeroom.
Join by yourself, join with a friend or gift a membership to someone else.
"Testimonial"
"Joining the bookclub was the best decision I have made in years! I share my love of reading with other bookworms, but the best part is the end of month meeting. I put the kids to bed, pour a glass of wine or sometimes a coffee, and I sit on my comfy chair near the fire and spend one hour chatting with the group and discussing the book. It is relaxing, restorative and really fun!"
Emma, 32.
The Letterbox Project
proudly supported by Tetley Tea
Our Letterbox Project arranges handwritten letters from the community to people feeling isolated and lonely. It is a unique pen-pal program because of our safety and management, we don't share identifiable information and all letters are vetted through our team.
We In this digital age, a handwritten letter is a beautiful reminder of the power of real connection. Something seemingly so simple can have a profound and lasting impact, for the recipient and the writer.
The Letterbox Project is the only program of its kind that creates real, meaningful connection combined with safety, security and management.
If you are feeling lonely, or you know someone who is, whether it is your neighbour, sister, mother or grandparents, tell them about our Letterbox Project. Point them in our direction and help them register to receive a letter. it is life changing.
Who are our programs for?
Loneliness is indiscriminate, everyone feels it as some point in their life, so it was important to us to develop programs for all demographics.
Our Letterbox Project is a tangible way to connect for all ages, but we have a particular focus on supporting senior Australians, people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Our Online Hobby Groups are open for all ages, but were developed to be more inclusive for a younger demographic (18 - 75).
"A new lease on life"
"“This has given him a new focus, new excitement and motivation. He loves monitoring for the mail, waiting for his letters, and he spends so much time thinking about and planning his replies. It’s given him connection that we didn’t know how to give him outside our family.”
Our major supporter, Tetley Tea
We are thrilled to announce Tetley Tea as our major partner for 2021.
Tetley Tea has been bringing warm and comforting tea blends to the world since 1837 when the Tetley Brothers began trading tea in the United Kingdom. Now the second largest manufacturer of tea in the world, with tea enjoyed in around 40 countries. Tetley strives towards creating not merely the perfect brew but also a sustainable environment and better lives for all.
Tetley is one of the founding members of the Ethical Tea Partnership, committed to improving the conditions of farmers growing our tea around the world. Tetley is also part of the Rainforest Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation that aims at conserving the biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable livelihood.
Tetley has generously supported our Letterbox Project for 2021, enabling us to continue to provide this as a free service to people across Australia. Read more about Tetley and our partnership below.
Read MoreFriends of Connected AU
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