How to use a Community Grant to ease loneliness and disconnection in your community
After receiving an Australia Post Community Grant, some local not-for-profits help people to go from being lonely and disconnected to belonging within a community.
With stereotypical masculine norms restricting some men from sharing feelings, finding an opportunity to talk and connect can be a challenge.
That’s where The Men’s Table comes in, an organisation that establishes local groups or ‘Tables’ where men meet monthly to share a meal and talk about the issues that impact their lives and wellbeing.
“Being a safe space, we can normalise what’s happening in our lives,” says Michael Collins, a regional host with The Men’s Table. “And hearing what’s going on for the other guys doesn’t make us feel so bad, so we’re not alone.”
The Men’s Table aims to connect men to talk about how they’re going.
Men supporting other men
Belonging to The Men's Table gives men the opportunity to boost their mental, emotional and social wellbeing. This is especially important for individuals who are negotiating life challenges, and it’s a powerful tool against the social isolation and loneliness that affects many men.
“The growth I’ve seen from guys who have been in our Table, and in other Tables, has been amazing,” Michael says. “I’ve seen guys more inclined to seek help. And a lot of guys tell me that they’re better listeners now, especially with their kids and