Across Australia, many people experience loneliness, social isolation and have difficulty navigating the support networks and activities available in their communities.
In Adelaide, Flinders University is leading an innovative 'social prescribing' project in the southern suburbs which aims to better connect the healthcare system with social and community services to help people access the help they need.
The first stage of the project - the 'Coming Together: A Social Prescribing Photovoice Exhibition' - shares powerful images and stories from community members and service providers, capturing 'everyday moments of connection' and the places and people that support health and wellbeing in southern Adelaide.
The free exhibition is on display at the Woodcroft-Morphett Vale Neighbourhood Centre (until 8 April) and then the Mitchell Park Sport and Community Centre (from 13-30 April).
The Minister for Human Services (Seniors and Ageing, and Women), local MP Katrine Hildyard, opened the exhibition last week on Social Prescribing Day (26 March).
The free exhibition features a range of photographs and accompanying stories which capture everyday moments and community connections and the difference this makes. Photography and storytelling explore how local connections, support and local services shape people's wellbeing.
The exhibition is part of a larger project on 'social prescribing', which helps people facing everyday challenges improve their wellbeing by linking them to local services and supports.
Starting in May, the next phase of the Flinders University research will involve a series of co-design workshops with community members, health practitioners and social and community service providers in the Marion and Onkaparinga council areas.
"Social prescribing is an approach that helps people connect with local groups, activities, healthcare and other services that support their wellbeing, from social clubs and creative programs to practical help in the community," says Dr Sahar Faghidno, from the ARC Linkage Social Prescribing research group at the Centre for Social Impact at Flinders.
"The exhibition demonstrates the use of creative and participatory methods (photovoice) to generate community-led insights and translate research into accessible, engaging, non-traditional outputs that resonate with diverse audiences," she says.
With social inclusion and community connection more important than ever, partnerships and programs that have real impact are needed, organisers say.
Led by the Flinders Centre for Social Impact and Caring Futures Institute, the project is supported by the Department of Human Services, Adelaide Primary Health Network, the Councils of Marion and Onkaparinga and Southern Adelaide Community Connections Partners (Anglicare, Uniting Communities, Baptist Care, MarionLIFE).
The Australian National Preventive Health Strategy aims to have social prescribing embedded at a local level by 2030, and the Flinders-led research is leading the way in developing innovative approaches for southern Adelaide.
