Written by Piyali Somaia and Samantha Choudhury.
Life is changing and evolving at a rapid pace, and we now live in a globally connected world with technological advances to make our lives in some ways more efficient, happier and healthier. We have embraced new and better ways of working and balancing other aspects of life. Yet our fundamental needs remain the same throughout the ages, including the need for belonging, social connection and purpose. At the heart of this lies community, a group of people who surround you with love, support and encouragement. But in the sparkle of this modern era – we have lost essential building blocks – natural mechanisms we had in place to cultivate these core needs and sadly, many people feel like their social group is shrinking or that no such extended community exists for them anymore. In fact, a recent study by Australian Network End Loneliness Together found that 1 in 4 people in Australia experience persistent loneliness (loneliness for 8 weeks or more). Adding in intersectionality, the study found people who live with a disability or health condition, endure financial difficulties or are culturally/linguistically diverse, have an even higher risk of experiencing loneliness. The numbers reveal that the real currency for a happy, healthy life lies in greater human connection and community.
When I think back to our childhood here in Melbourne, as Bengali/Australian children of migrants from India, our parents gravitated to other Bengalis here in Melbourne and formed communities which gave us purpose and social connection. We created bonds with people of all ages and felt a sense of belonging in a way that is truly hard to create now. Whether it was celebrating pujas, hosting big dinner parties, attending Diwali or Eid functions, performing in cultural shows or hosting community sports days we found ways to gather together regularly. We also welcomed newcomers to the country and included them in these events. This connected us in a way that can’t be imitated. Not online, and certainly not alone.
Melbourne Bengali Community Guys at a “Bijoya” Gathering (Celebrating Good Over Evil) -1976
These social ties are all beautiful parts of human existence, but maintaining these relationships, opportunities to gather and creating new friendships can feel like a challenge in today’s world. Life feels busy and more individual-focused. Many of us are running around and trying hard to make ends meet, have an endless list of ambitions and goals, and barely have time to look after ourselves or our families than to go out there and try creating community and all the work it takes to do that.
The old structures that traditionally made community accessible have somewhat been dismantled – many people have moved away from only befriending people from the same background, religion or even families. Working remotely and global hours have improved career and lifestyle opportunities whilst simultaneously creating unintended effects of loneliness. The design of cars, suburban growth and our built environment including design of homes and apartments has also contributed to an exponential growth of social isolation.
Socially there are subtle changes too. In a place like Melbourne, where it is not as transient as Singapore or London, circles of friends can remain hard to penetrate. Newcomers to the city can feel like it’s cliquey and lacking warmth. But as former first-lady Michelle Obama wisely shares “Let people in….(otherwise) you miss out on the goodness, the opportunity, the new.”
So, what’s the solution? Well firstly, it’s prioritising it again. Making it important and necessary and not a “nice to have”. Secondly, opening up to that feeling of unknown, new friendships as well as re-imagining existing bonds. This attitude then leads to being creative about new ways of doing this.
What are some creative ways of creating community?
- Open up an invite to a weekly park/walking group to all the different people you know – whether they have families, are single, elderly and/or couples. Opening it up to all types of people will make the group more diverse and interesting to all that come and participate but also make people feel that everyone is welcome.
- Start a book club, culture club or a gym class community – use your similar interests to meet regularly and do something you love together.
- Volunteer at a local centre, outreach or community hub. Not only are you doing something positive for society, but you will also form bonds with other like-minded people, usually locals too.
- If you have a cultural or religious celebration, why not open it up to other people to come and share the experience? It can be a “bring a plate” to a park, hosting a lunch or afternoon tea or grabbing a bunch of people and going to a pre- organised event (like Diwali in the city or seeing Christmas Carols at the Tan). Sometimes people just need an organiser and an invite and you may be surprised at how it becomes a ritual!
- Attend or participate in your local neighbourhood community events, like farmers markets, street parties, mainstreet or local park – it’s easy and you can easily get to know your and neighbours, build trust and belonging in your neighbourhood.
- Be more civic! Read up on what your local council is doing and see how you can get involved and have your say on neighbourhood level decisions and policies that directly can impact you.
Alongside the social and human part of creating community, what many people don’t realise is how important and impactful the design of the physical spaces around us has on our ability to create connection and community. The design of our living spaces, such as our homes, apartments and neighbourhoods (see Hey Neighbour Collective’s Diagram 1 below) can encourage repeated encounters of residents throughout the day, thereby increasing their sense of inclusion, safety and belonging. Add in programming such as activities and things to do to gather, it can lead to casual or repeated encounters that can evolve into meaningful relationships. This increases the wellbeing of the population by improved health outcomes as well as variables such as resilience, tenure and level of engagement.
Diagram 1 – How Building Design and Programming Can Impact Social Connections
Opening up our circles, creating new ways to connect and designing our spaces better, we have an opportunity to better capture the magic of social connection again and eradicate the epidemic of loneliness in our society. Whilst we figure out the path forward, we may not always get it right, there might be some ideas or events that don’t have a great turnout or go quite as planned, and that is ok. With community, you will never feel alone in this. We can have a laugh (or cry), dust it off and try again – together. And what if it does work out even better than you can imagine? We think that possibility is worth the effort and risk.
About the authors:
Piyali Somaia: Piyali is a global health professional, community advocate and the founder of Kahini. Kahini works towards a more equitable and healthier world through community, health and art projects. She is also a professional dancer and choreographer and believes in the power of art to create positive change in our society.
Sam Choudhury: Sam is a respected urban planning, urban design and community engagement professional, advocating for liveable and inclusive places that people love and feel connected to. She was recently elected to Stonnington Council and is serving her local community as a Councillor 2025-2029 making her a community advocate and civic leader with real world experience in facilitating happier and healthier communities.
One thought on “Human Connection is the New Currency: Building Communities that Thrive”
What a timely and poignant article! Thanking for sharing your wisdom and sage thoughts. Our political leaders need to read this and reflect.
As a Geriatrician, I see first hand the devastating effects of loneliness. Your article ignites the spark to have the conversation, about how we can increase connection.
Thank you for writing this, it is much needed in today’s modern world.