Just a simple space where people can share a hobby or a free hot drink can bring vital connections to combat loneliness, as Renew Wellbeing leader and NewHope Baptist Church Associate Pastor Sally Agostino has found.
Sally, whilst in her previous role, was involved in the setup of Renew Monte, pictured here and on front cover (located in the Montmorency shopping strip in north-east metro Melbourne), which is one of three Baptist-run Renew Wellbeing spaces in Victoria. She started the space after a visit to the UK to see the concept in action. Renew Wellbeing UK helps churches open places of welcome and inclusion in support of emotional and mental health.
“I shared the idea with my local ecumenical group, and they were excited about it. The concept is not rocket science. We do have a psychologist volunteering at times, but really all we want is companionship. You might find there’s people in the community who are lonely, or are in and out of psychologists’ appointments, or retirees, or young people who are studying uni online. It could be for any number of reasons. People need a space to be, and there are so few of those around. Loneliness is just becoming increasingly prevalent in society.”
Renew Monte is run by several churches, three of which are Baptist. Four volunteer hosts per day spend time with those who come along. “The expectation is, you want people to be volunteering knowing that there’s very little they have to do, but they need to do it for a long time.”
A quiet prayer space is available for use anytime, and people are invited there for shared prayer times each session. While the space is easy to run, some challenges included starting rosters across the different churches and learning the appropriate risk assessments, but the UK training videos helped.
Another Renew Wellbeing space, run by Brunswick Baptist Church Associate Pastor Jenn Garavito Alarcon for the Latin and Spanish communities, is using a book to foster connections amongst people. “We ask the group to reflect on the book, and people bring their own understanding of God and what they are doing to nurture their spirituality.”
She said loneliness was common amongst immigrants who “don’t speak the language, and many don’t have friends”, so the Renew group members had expressed gratefulness for the “welcoming and safe space” to share stories, vulnerability and values. “This is a very diverse group but, despite those differences, we are finding unity which is that expression of kindness, of love, of empathy for one another. That really moves my heart.”
Sydenham Pastor Catherine Ottavi started a Renew Wellbeing space on May 2, to provide a place where those who are struggling with loneliness or grief can connect and feel supported. “Community is so beneficial. My heart is that they find community and socialise – to know they can talk to someone and share. We have a prayer space where they can see how Christians work through our hardships too, how we deal with some of our brokenness and struggles as we take it to God in prayer.”
A dozen people have started attending already on Thursday afternoons, but Catherine hopes to add another session per week, plus Saturdays to accommodate those who work on weekdays. A main attraction is the table tennis table, plus areas for jigsaw puzzles, colouring in and chatting.
“Our space isn’t on a main road so it’s harder for people to walk in off the street, but over time we are hoping they come through being invited by others who have joined the group, and through our relationships with local health providers.”
If you are interested in starting a Renew space at your church, you can find more information at renewwellbeing.org.uk. Or feel free to visit or follow up with one of the Pastors or churches mentioned above.