At The Hut Community Centre In early May, the Spark research team and many Sparkies came together for a day filled with robust discussions, questions, ideas and, most importantly, meaningful connection. Our Sparkies shared their perspectives, hopes and insights that will continue to shape Spark. The session genuinely helped clarify what matters most, what aligns with the heart of Spark, and where our focus should be moving forward.

We heard about a wide range of ideas and improvements to enhance Spark into the future and the role and personal impact of being a Sparkie. The challenges of being a Sparkie were discussed including group dynamics, barriers and how to provide additional support.

We were delighted to hear about the ripple effects from Spark – the forming of friendships, people gaining confidence over time, spin off events, participants becoming volunteers and many, many more ripples.

Amongst us is a breadth of lived experience of loneliness, life experience, academic expertise, community development professionals, counsellors, communication specialists – but essentially we are people who care about creating solutions to end loneliness, places where people can feel belonging, where we create reasons to spark joy, where we listen to others. Spark is for everyone and anyone can join us! Thank you to everyone who participated.