Author: Jodie Scott

Introducing Jo, Spark Volunteer.
Why did you join Spark?
Before Spark launched, I was asked to come on board in a marketing capacity and I jumped at the chance. It’s a wonderful cause that strikes a personal chord with me, so I was happy to help. Loneliness is something I have dealt with a lot, most potently in the past five years whilst recovering from some challenging health issues.
What sparks joy for you?
Birds! Bird watching brings me a lot of joy. Fairy wrens, parrots, cockatoos and boobies are favourites. A great conversation also sparks joy. I’m quite social, so love catching up with friends and having a good chat over a glass of wine.

If you haven’t made it along to a Spark Conversation session yet, our friendly Sparkies are ready to welcome you to one of our four weekly sessions across the Adelaide Hills. Are you new to the area? Feeling lonely or isolated? Simply love chatting? See dates and times below. Everyone is welcome!

We’re on the hunt for a few more Sparkies to add to our amazing volunteer team. Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy talking to people? Do you want to make a difference in the community? If this sounds like a match, we’d love to have you onboard. Know of anyone who might be interested?

We’ve finished the co-design workshops for Spark Mateship – our new men’s initiative, but we’d still love some more surveys filled out. Would you like to contribute? We’d love your input – you don’t have to be experiencing loneliness to have a unique perspective and great ideas. If someone you know would like to participate, please forward the survey link below.

After the success of the first series, we’re thrilled to be holding another 8 week series of Spark Self Connection in early 2025. Experienced practitioners Lia and Elja Parsons will empower you to spark connection by exploring meaningful conversations, expressive art techniques and self reflection. Learn how to nurture yourself and ignite meaningful connection with others! Join us on Saturdays at 2 – 4.30pm at Forest House Miller’s Corner, Mt Barker beginning 15th February.

In January, a motion for an inquiry into loneliness was introduced by The Hon Connie Bonaros MLC and passed in the Upper House with unanimous support. The inquiry calls for increased investment in improving social connection, and a ministerial portfolio for loneliness. This is very exciting for Spark as we have built a team of passionate experts on this topic, and have been working hard on the ground to demonstrate what we can achieve with the community.

Introducing Ash, Sparkie Volunteer.
Why did you join Spark?
When I was living in New York in my 20’s, I experienced quite extreme loneliness. So, when Spark came along, I thought, this is a good thing! I knew a bit about what it felt like to be lonely and how difficult it can be meet people. This year I had cut back on my workload, so I wanted to volunteer.

What sparks joy for you?
Surrounding myself in nature, looking after my garden and bush walks. I enjoy having my friends over and sharing my house in the hills with them.

Do you have any hobbies?
Yes, listening and playing music – I play the trumpet. I like going to art exhibitions, the theatre, the fringe and live events. I like snorkelling and kayaking, so getting in the ocean and the river. I also enjoy organising walks with groups of people with dogs and finding leash-free, longish walks that we can take the dogs on.

Favourite Christmas movie?
The Snowman (1982)
It’s a beautiful British, animated short film about a boy whose snowman comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus.

Thank you to the 18 generous men who joined our co-design workshops to explore experiences and perspectives of loneliness. In the coming weeks we’ll be bringing it all together ready to launch a new program for men in early 2025. We’re so grateful to Forte and Luke from Good Better Best Men for partnering with us on this project. We’ve had some great outcomes that we’re very excited about. Many thanks to the Office for Ageing Well, Positive Ageing Grant.

The festive season and holidays can be a time of beautiful connection with family, friends, colleagues, a time to celebrate and the opportunity to re-connect with self. It can also be a time of disconnection, amplifying feelings of loneliness if you find yourself alone when others are surrounded by company. Or if the rushing and trying to achieve too much makes you feel completely depleted. We hope that you are able to notice and ignite connection in the coming weeks. We challenge you to take time to do the things that spark joy for you – whether it be walks in nature, appreciating or creating art, enjoying the ocean, games and being silly in the silly season. We can all give the gift of connection to ourselves or someone else, it’s free, and each small action can ignite big change!