Media Release

Serving up peace of mind: Glen 20 and Meals on Wheels seek to “can loneliness” and create connection delivering 100,000 Glen 20 cans to vulnerable Aussies

· New research from Glen 20, supported by Meals on Wheels, uncovers how, why, and when we connect

· Glen 20 and Woolworths are donating AUD$900,000 (RRP) worth of product to partner, Meals on Wheels, for their volunteers and customers to help Can Loneliness and Create Connection with peace of mind

Sydney, Australia – 28 September 2022:
This year – as Aussies returned to work, borders opened, and the comfort of social connection was restored – millions of vulnerable Australians made a difficult decision to stay inside, protecting themselves from COVID-19 virus, but in turn falling victim to the hidden endemic of loneliness. With 4-out-of-5 (96%) of Australians believing it is important to connect with loved ones face-to-face, this continued isolation had to have far-reaching impacts for an already challenged part of our community.

To understand the impacts of social isolation and how we can stem this unnecessary burden, new research by Glen 20, supported by Meals on Wheels, unpacks the importance of human connection to discover why we seek it, how we find it and the ways it effects our lives.

The research found vulnerable Australians are still struggling to reconnect with their communities and loved ones, with only 39% feeling strongly connected with their community on a daily basis, such as with friends, colleagues and neighbours, and more than half (57%) saying they do not connect with their community face-to-face on a frequent basis. Now, because looking after their health is the main priority of so many since 2020, over 73% of Australians feel more confident to connect with others in a hygienic home environment. So, while the majority of Australia returns to ‘normal’, for our more vulnerable members of society, the easing of pandemic restrictions offers little relief.

As a disinfectant brand that’s been trusted with protecting Australians for over 55 years and providing peace of mind across the country, Glen 20 is in a position to enable moments of connection thanks to its proven ability to help create a hygienic environment. In fact, almost half (45%) of Australians agree that using a product such as Glen 20 gives greater piece of mind in the home, when connecting with others.

Teaming up to help bring people together, Glen 20 and Woolworths have partnered with not-for-profit organisation, Meals on Wheels, in an initiative that builds on two years of work throughout the pandemic. Together they are helping Can Loneliness and Create Connection for thousands of vulnerable Aussies, by donating 100,000 cans of Glen 20 (worth AUD$900,000) to the Australians that Meals on Wheels delivers food to, and Meals on Wheels volunteers so that these individuals can create connections in a hygienic environment.

Life at home no longer lonely

According to the research, most people believe you need just 30 minutes to an hour to form a meaningful connection, which is why organisations such as Meals on Wheels that connect volunteers with customers through food delivery and welfare checks, are so appreciated by the community.

Meals on Wheels customer, Faye Beaumont says, “I’ve lived at home since my husband passed away seven years ago. I would be lonely if not for the connection with the Meals on Wheels ‘vollies’ that I’ve made friends with over the past decade. They bring me moments of joy and peace of mind that I am well and part of something bigger – a community.”

“Even throughout the pandemic, the vollies found a way to deliver my meals and say hello, which truly kept my spirits up. I honestly look forward to seeing them every week!” adds Ms Beaumont.

‘This problem impacts more than just the older members of our community’ – Fifi Box

Australian radio broadcaster, Fifi Box, knows the importance of staying in touch with your community, having felt the impact of the pandemic on her family, including mum, Pearl: “We had a tough few years thanks to the pandemic, and I was worried about mum and her being able to socialise with others while there were restrictions in place,” she says.

“For me, being based in Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic was really challenging. I missed my friends, my community and my family, and I’ve got to say there were many days that I felt lonely. Having gone through that experience myself, now more than ever I understand how important simple face-to-face human interaction is.

“I’m not surprised the research from Glen 20, supported by Meals on Wheels, showed that 4-out-of-5 Australians feel joy when connecting with others. It’s one of my reasons I get out of bed in the morning – it’s what I do on the radio every day, and it’s so important to improving our mood and bettering health outcomes. I can’t wait to see Aussies can loneliness and create moments of connection within their communities this month” added Ms Box.

Check in on your loved ones and community

Sharyn Broer, President of Meals on Wheels Australia, urges Australians to be inspired by this research and the partnership and to reach out to their loved ones and wider community.

“Our incredibly dedicated team has been on the ground in the community since the pandemic began and have seen first-hand how important it is to stay connected to the people around you – whether it’s a phone call, a friendly wave from the street or a hot meal delivered to your doorstep with a smile.”

“I’m confident this campaign will resonate with communities across the country – both those who need a helping hand, and the people who can give it,” says Ms Broer.

To help Can Loneliness and Create Connection in your community, here are some tips from Meals on Wheels:

· Check in on your loved ones, a neighbour or any member of your community, offering to drop in and say hello – even if it’s a wave from the street, or distanced moment outside, seeing someone in person can make all the difference.

· Lend a helping hand! Often the simple tasks can be daunting for vulnerable communities, like visiting the supermarket or taking public transport. Offering to pick up their groceries, or a ride to wherever they need to go can help with their peace of mind.

· Join your local Meals on Wheels service as a volunteer. Volunteering can improve your wellbeing, reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of belonging in giving back to your community.

Feeling lonely yourself? Here’s some tips to help you feel connected:
Plan ahead - Call a loved one or friend and organise a catch up, whether it be over the phone or in-person. Having something to look forward to can help with feelings of isolation.

· Join a community - connection can be found with anyone, whether it’s a new friend or old. Have a think about what you enjoy and try find likeminded people in that area. These groups can be found through social media platforms, or a quick Google.

 Loneliness can strike anyone – especially the millions of vulnerable Australians amongst us. To help Glen 20 and Meals on Wheels Can Loneliness and Create Connection, Australians can buy any can of Glen 20 from Woolworths across the country before 25 October 2022.

www.mealsonwheels.org.au/can-loneliness-create-connection/

To download a copy of this media release, click here.