Belconnen and Bruce have more than twice the number of people aged 18 to 30s compared to the ACT average. Research shows this age group is also amongst the loneliest.

The Health Research Institute (HRI) pilot project Connect Up 2617 took a whole-of-community, socio-ecological approach to trialing ways for people aged 18-30s to make and strengthen social connections and alleviate loneliness and social isolation. Over 12 months, the project team - including a team of young, local Community Connectors from a range of different backgrounds - supported, integrated with or ran free local community activities, creating the space, opportunities and support for those aged 18 to 30s to meet new people, make friends and build social connections.

When the project ended in October 2025, over 250 people had attended at least two or more Connect Up 2617 activities ranging from badminton to crocheting, social board games to trivia, with most saying they felt less lonely, more socially connected and had a greater sense of local belonging due to the project. Some 15 participants were also signed up or already in the role of volunteers, involved in many aspects of Connect Up from running crochet groups to helping facilitate activities.

The project ignited a community response and Connect Up 2617 the research pilot found a new home as a mainstream program run by Capital Region Community Services (CRCS) from November 2025. HRI remains a research partner.

Find out more about Connect Up 2617 now - the evidence-based, peer-led, community-run Connect Up program - at .

Media releases and stories

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Presentations

·       Social Prescribing presentation (coming soon)

Papers and reports

·&²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Community consultation and co-design Summary Report

The HRI Project team used a participatory research approach and wide consultation and co-design from April-July 2024 to shape a program based on the premise that strengthening social connection and alleviating loneliness and social isolation for 18-30s is a socio-ecological issue, rather than an individual one, and can only be addressed through building individual and community capacity for social connection.

Young local Community Connectors were recruited and trained to facilitate social connection across a range of regular activities in local venues and/or integrated into existing activities, and provide peer-to-peer support for residents and volunteers who initiated place-based and interest-led activities.

From October 2024 to October 2025, over 450 participants attended one Connect Up activity, with an additional 250 participants attending two or more activities and 15 volunteers recruited to drive or lead activities ranging from sip ‘n’ stitch gatherings to badminton coaching. A comprehensive website with interactive regional map, weekly e-news bulletin, active social media presence and extensive print materials promoting the project and its various activities were all produced to ensure the cohort knew about what was on offer.  

Connect Up 2617 initiatives included regular creative gatherings, recreational, social and place-based activities, as well as population-specific support. The project team partnered with local venues and stakeholders to offer inclusive, mostly free of charge, low-barrier, and interest-based entry points, tailored in response to participant feedback and emerging needs.

Key strategies included maintaining low-resource, frequent and diverse activities, supporting emotional intelligence in facilitation by peer Community Connectors, and creating structured support for volunteer-led practice communities. Crafting and shared co-creation were powerful tools, as were the local Connectors who supported peer-to-peer engagement.

Regular participants reported increased quality and quantity of social connection and sense of local belonging, and reduced loneliness.

From August 2025 discussions began with Capital Region Community Services (CRCS) to transition the research pilot into a program delivered by the service for 18-30s in the Belconnen region from November 2025.

Policy briefings and findings will be produced from December 2025 to March 2026. Connect Up 2617 not only provides lessons for replicable, community-driven approaches for strengthening social connection and belonging in young adult populations, it is now benefiting 18-30s in the Belconnen region as part of the wider community development program run by CRCS.