Relationships Australia is the home of the Neighbours Every Day campaign, which promotes the importance of social connection. This project sought to understand the unique effects COVID-19 and associated restrictions have had on multicultural communities in Melbourne, especially in relation to their social connections.

This report presents finding from the first stage of the multi year, Planning Inclusive Communities Research Project. 97 participants, aged 9 to 92 years of age, shared their thoughts, experiences, and ideas of what makes communities inclusive, their current experiences of living in their communities...

For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how important our connections are in life. This report identifies sources of change that could fundamentally affect society's capacities, opportunities and motivations for connecting to one another.

This report summaries a recent Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project. The report examines the suitability of the project, and its effectiveness and value for householders and communities.

This briefing paper explains the research behind the What Works Centre for Wellbeing's recent refresh of a review examining the changes made to community places and spaces that are designed to boost social relations and individual and community wellbeing.

The research outlined in this report was conducted by Leeds Beckett University and the University of Liverpool during 2022, in response to a brief from What Works Centre for Wellbeing. The report explores the extent to which we can better identify what works in changing...

This report measures the social impact of 'Meals on Wheels' and the importance of meaningful customer and volunteer connection, further supporting the essential role the service plays within almost every Australian community.

This broad-ranging, independent report examines Australia’s performance as a society during the past two-and-a-half years of the COVID-19 pandemic. How well did Australia perform? Can our combined health, economic, social and political response be considered a success or a failure? What comes next?

People with disability in Australia brings together information from a range of national data sources to contribute to a greater understanding of disability in Australia. The 2021–22 update expands the report to include new reporting of data disaggregated by age group, disability group and remoteness.

This policy paper focuses on actionable, evidence-based steps a newly elected federal government can take to address the current youth mental health crisis.

Connections to community are an important source of resilience for Indigenous Australians. This paper discusses several protective factors resulting from community connection that work to prevent suicide by strengthening resilience and increasing social and emotional wellbeing.

For those that work or volunteer in health, the community sector, government, or any other organisation invested in peoples' health and wellbeing, this resource provides a good understanding of what social connection is, how it works, and some ways that it can be activated.

This report examines trends in social connectedness in Australia and assesses their implications for human wellbeing and development. The findings from this report are intended to increase public understanding around key issues of loneliness and belonging, social inclusion and connectedness, and identifies actionable policies and...

This report ties together multiple streams of knowledge to present an overview of the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and resultant policy measures.

This report finds that young Australians don’t associate arts and culture with elitism – but rather, integral to a full and rounded life that can play an increasingly critical role in shaping our nation’s future direction.

The purpose of this report is to collate research regarding the significance of culture to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the significant benefits of connecting to culture, family and community as part of culturally appropriate treatment and care to promote wellbeing, rehabilitation and...

Social connection is a critical outcome of community-based planning and activity given its ability to positively affect health and wellbeing at the individual and community level. This report informs a deeper understanding of key foundations, assets and optimal conditions for social connection within communities from...

This paper highlights key advice about things to do and things to think about when establishing and operating rural community co-produced initiatives for local mental health and wellbeing services.

During the course of this inquiry, a number of organisations emphasised the value of diaspora communities, the contributions they make to Australian society and their potential to positively impact Australia's relationship with their home countries. This report outlines some interesting findings about multicultural Australia.

This report details the findings of an 18-month long scoping study, informed by local advisory group established by ACON, into a range of LGBTQ+ needs and experiences in Greater Western Sydney.

This study investigates housing outcomes during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluates the complex interrelated impacts it is having on Australian households with a range of vulnerabilities.

This report details the results of the first in a series of surveys of 2,006 young people. It aims to assess the impact of coronavirus restrictions on social connection, loneliness, health behaviours and the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians between March 2020 and...

Private lives 3 (PL3) is the third iteration of the 'Private Lives' surveys. The survey provides vital information for health professionals, service providers, community organisations and governments to better understand and support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people in Australia.

A nationally representative poll of over 10,000 British people has looked at the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people’s lives and how people’s attitudes have changed. Demos researchers found that the nation is divided on their experiences and attitudes.