![A story for your Sunday. Notice the puppy bandana 🐶 There’s also a matching mask, a copy of a fabulous magazine and a lovely letter. These pen pals have been writing since mid last year.
The writer Jackie is actually the founder of the not-for-profit @ruralwomensday. She sent a copy of her recent magazine, and some treats for them both.
I love this so much ❤️]()
A story for your Sunday. Notice the puppy bandana 🐶 There’s also a matching mask, a copy of a fabulous magazine and a lovely letter. These pen pals have been writing since mid last year. The writer Jackie is actually the founder of the not-for-profit @ruralwomensday. She sent a copy of her recent magazine, and some treats for them both. I love this so much ❤️ ![For a dancer ❤️
We have had some exciting growth over the last month, and the coming months will be bigger and busier.
As always, lots of fantastic letters still constantly flowing ✈️
@tetleyaustralia]()
For a dancer ❤️ We have had some exciting growth over the last month, and the coming months will be bigger and busier. As always, lots of fantastic letters still constantly flowing ✈️ @tetleyaustralia ![We often see little notes like this slipped into letters and it really boosts spirits☺️
Today an aged care provider registered 10 of their facilities to receive letters. They had 2 participate last year and all 10 want to get involved this year.
Think about the potential for connection ❤️]()
We often see little notes like this slipped into letters and it really boosts spirits☺️ Today an aged care provider registered 10 of their facilities to receive letters. They had 2 participate last year and all 10 want to get involved this year. Think about the potential for connection ❤️ ![What a way to pump up the tyres of the reader 👏 Zoom in and read the text!
Quotes that would make anyone feel loved. And then a page of jokes.
Phenomenal effort ❤️❤️👏👏
#theletterboxproject #connected_au #loneliness #isolation #social impact #social prescribing #seniors #disability
#letter #love #affirmations #jokes]()
What a way to pump up the tyres of the reader 👏 Zoom in and read the text! Quotes that would make anyone feel loved. And then a page of jokes. Phenomenal effort ❤️❤️👏👏 #theletterboxproject #connected_au #loneliness #isolation #social impact #social prescribing #seniors #disability #letter #love #affirmations #jokes ![What makes this a unique program is the level of security we’ve built. I think this is why we are so appealing to councils and organisations, as we can deliver programs to help them achieve their targets and goals, with safety and security paramount.
No identifiable personal information is shared, and all letters are sent to our team for approval against a strict criteria before being sent on. The letters can occur indefinitely, but always vetted through us.
It means a lot more work! But provides a stronger foundation and longevity.
A positive of the process is that we can include an information card with all of our details on the back, and thanks to @tetleyaustralia we can gift them some tea.
I try to always remember that we don’t know anyone’s situation, or what they might be experiencing. So I imagine that this little surprise, plus a letter, might be a thrilling highlight of someone’s day.]()
What makes this a unique program is the level of security we’ve built. I think this is why we are so appealing to councils and organisations, as we can deliver programs to help them achieve their targets and goals, with safety and security paramount. No identifiable personal information is shared, and all letters are sent to our team for approval against a strict criteria before being sent on. The letters can occur indefinitely, but always vetted through us. It means a lot more work! But provides a stronger foundation and longevity. A positive of the process is that we can include an information card with all of our details on the back, and thanks to @tetleyaustralia we can gift them some tea. I try to always remember that we don’t know anyone’s situation, or what they might be experiencing. So I imagine that this little surprise, plus a letter, might be a thrilling highlight of someone’s day. ![The quality of the website, but in particular the hobby group platforms that @pswebdubbo has built (while also having a baby) are mind blowing. They are functional, beautiful, fun, engaging.
Much better than my original hobby group attempt that was a web page with a facebook group 🤦♀️ But I guess you do what you can do until you can do better. This is much better!
The groups have members areas, live chats, fantastic resources, weekly emails, and a live meeting once per month. So much engagement.
Book club sneak peak. 📖]()
The quality of the website, but in particular the hobby group platforms that @pswebdubbo has built (while also having a baby) are mind blowing. They are functional, beautiful, fun, engaging. Much better than my original hobby group attempt that was a web page with a facebook group 🤦♀️ But I guess you do what you can do until you can do better. This is much better! The groups have members areas, live chats, fantastic resources, weekly emails, and a live meeting once per month. So much engagement. Book club sneak peak. 📖 ![@emmabarrettcreative
I almost have no words to describe Emma, which is unusual for me.
When I do try to describer her to people I say she is phenomenal. She has limitless talent, and an eye for detail. The re-branding she has done is more than I could have imagened. And she did it all with little to no direction. I asked her if she could design the brand as she saw it. They were pretty much her instructions.
And it is perfect. Soft, welcoming, cheerful, easy to read and navigate. The flowers represent growth. Its absolute quality.
In the span of two months (with Christmas and school holidays thrown in the mix), she has created the entire Connected AU brand, website designs, the collateral for our council package that included 8 different documents, multiple brochures, posters, letter templates, information cards, postage stickers, email signatures.
I don't think I have ever worked with anyone who is so easy to get on with, easy to work with, and so efficient. I will be giving her these wraps endlessly for a long time to come.]()
@emmabarrettcreative I almost have no words to describe Emma, which is unusual for me. When I do try to describer her to people I say she is phenomenal. She has limitless talent, and an eye for detail. The re-branding she has done is more than I could have imagened. And she did it all with little to no direction. I asked her if she could design the brand as she saw it. They were pretty much her instructions. And it is perfect. Soft, welcoming, cheerful, easy to read and navigate. The flowers represent growth. Its absolute quality. In the span of two months (with Christmas and school holidays thrown in the mix), she has created the entire Connected AU brand, website designs, the collateral for our council package that included 8 different documents, multiple brochures, posters, letter templates, information cards, postage stickers, email signatures. I don't think I have ever worked with anyone who is so easy to get on with, easy to work with, and so efficient. I will be giving her these wraps endlessly for a long time to come. ![The very talented @pswebdubbo has rebuilt our website, including the platform for our hobby groups built directly into the website. They’re beautiful, functional and fun, and mean everything happens on the site.
I originally launched these groups last year but with lack of resources was using Facebook groups which weren’t ideal at all! They didn’t really get off the ground and were dormant for most of last year.
It’s exciting to see them come to life properly.
Connected AU isn't just for seniors, or those with disabilities. We're also for people that are just lonely and isolated, which is a huge proportion of our population. Staggering actually.
People who can get online, but just don't have anyone to connect with. Our hobby groups are for these people. Anyone who wants to feel connection and community, in a safe and monitored way (away from social media).
The groups have a small membership fee, but some councils are covering packages for their LGA.]()
The very talented @pswebdubbo has rebuilt our website, including the platform for our hobby groups built directly into the website. They’re beautiful, functional and fun, and mean everything happens on the site. I originally launched these groups last year but with lack of resources was using Facebook groups which weren’t ideal at all! They didn’t really get off the ground and were dormant for most of last year. It’s exciting to see them come to life properly. Connected AU isn't just for seniors, or those with disabilities. We're also for people that are just lonely and isolated, which is a huge proportion of our population. Staggering actually. People who can get online, but just don't have anyone to connect with. Our hobby groups are for these people. Anyone who wants to feel connection and community, in a safe and monitored way (away from social media). The groups have a small membership fee, but some councils are covering packages for their LGA. ![The Letterbox Project ✉️
Like the beanstalk, this grew out of control last year. There were highs and lows, lots of stress, plenty of errors/mistakes and things we needed to learn, but FINALLY, we are getting ontop of it. (It helps that we don’t have to DIY everything anymore)
It also helps that we have a new local administrative officer, though I think she will become program manager before she knows it. Morgan is the unicorn employee that everyone looks for (thank you Kirby ☺️)
The program is more complex than most realise. All letters are sent to us, we vet them and forward on, we manage writers/recipients (up to 15,000 and counting) on a complex IT system, provide notifications for every step in the process, try and keep up with stakeholders. There is a lot of work behind the scenes.]()
The Letterbox Project ✉️ Like the beanstalk, this grew out of control last year. There were highs and lows, lots of stress, plenty of errors/mistakes and things we needed to learn, but FINALLY, we are getting ontop of it. (It helps that we don’t have to DIY everything anymore) It also helps that we have a new local administrative officer, though I think she will become program manager before she knows it. Morgan is the unicorn employee that everyone looks for (thank you Kirby ☺️) The program is more complex than most realise. All letters are sent to us, we vet them and forward on, we manage writers/recipients (up to 15,000 and counting) on a complex IT system, provide notifications for every step in the process, try and keep up with stakeholders. There is a lot of work behind the scenes. ![Q & A from an interview yesterday so you can get to know us a little more.
⭐️ What is Connected AU?
An organisation reducing isolation and loneliness in vulnerable populations. We deliver programs to ensure that people can access connection and community in a safe and monitored way.
⭐️ What programs do you deliver?
Two programs at the moment.
1. Our Letterbox Project is a free program sending handwritten letters across the country.
2. Our virtual hobby groups provide a safe, monitored and inclusive community.
⭐️ Is Connected AU a not-for-profit?
No. Connected AU is social impact organisation. Like a regular business but with a social impact. For purpose.
⭐️ How are you sustainable then?
We will select one major sponsor each year for our Letterbox Project, this sponsor helps us ensure that the project will always remain free. The sponsor benefits by gaining exposure and advertising, and also doing good in the community.
We then have a small monthly membership fee for our hobby groups. This allows us to sustain them and continue to grow as an organisation.
⭐️ What is your council package?
Local councils can purchase a package so that residents in their LGA can access the hobby groups for free, and have the option of a localised Letterbox Project. The package also provides regular statistical reporting on trends and demographics to help councils be more informed of mental health challenges in their LGA.
⭐️ Do you have any councils onboard yet?
Yes. We have welcomed our first council this week, an inner-city Melbourne council.
There are over 500 local councils in the country and we have big plans for the year ahead!
⭐️ How many staff do you have?
Two paid staff (plus me!), and a handful of unbelievably talented specialists contracting to us.
⭐️ Biggest win so far?
Finally becoming sustainable after a long year of 'goodwill'. And being able to have some phenomenal people re-do our website, branding, (re-do most things I tried to DIY)]()
Q & A from an interview yesterday so you can get to know us a little more. ⭐️ What is Connected AU? An organisation reducing isolation and loneliness in vulnerable populations. We deliver programs to ensure that people can access connection and community in a safe and monitored way. ⭐️ What programs do you deliver? Two programs at the moment. 1. Our Letterbox Project is a free program sending handwritten letters across the country. 2. Our virtual hobby groups provide a safe, monitored and inclusive community. ⭐️ Is Connected AU a not-for-profit? No. Connected AU is social impact organisation. Like a regular business but with a social impact. For purpose. ⭐️ How are you sustainable then? We will select one major sponsor each year for our Letterbox Project, this sponsor helps us ensure that the project will always remain free. The sponsor benefits by gaining exposure and advertising, and also doing good in the community. We then have a small monthly membership fee for our hobby groups. This allows us to sustain them and continue to grow as an organisation. ⭐️ What is your council package? Local councils can purchase a package so that residents in their LGA can access the hobby groups for free, and have the option of a localised Letterbox Project. The package also provides regular statistical reporting on trends and demographics to help councils be more informed of mental health challenges in their LGA. ⭐️ Do you have any councils onboard yet? Yes. We have welcomed our first council this week, an inner-city Melbourne council. There are over 500 local councils in the country and we have big plans for the year ahead! ⭐️ How many staff do you have? Two paid staff (plus me!), and a handful of unbelievably talented specialists contracting to us. ⭐️ Biggest win so far? Finally becoming sustainable after a long year of 'goodwill'. And being able to have some phenomenal people re-do our website, branding, (re-do most things I tried to DIY)
