Combatting loneliness one call at a time

Two years ago, three friends banded together to help the most vulnerable in our community.

Bryan Wiseman, Neil McWilliam and David Cocker formed the Band of Brothers not-for-profit charity organisation, which aims to be ‘a helping hand in a crisis’ and has recently expanded its services.

Band of Brothers started out providing hope bags for people without housing, a safe yard for women and children fleeing domestic violence and tiny home crisis accommodation for those in need.

Now, the trio has embarked on a new system for those facing loneliness and social isolation.

This week is Loneliness Awareness Week (August 5-11).

Band of Brothers President Bryan Wiseman says the new ‘Community Hive’ is a place for anyone who is lonely and would like help getting integrated back into society.

“What we do is make a weekly telephone call, find out what is going to motivate them – not necessarily what their interests are – but what’s going to motivate them to connect with society again,” he says.

“Once we know that, we can find a community group who is able to do the stuff that’s necessary…What we do is we actually make the connection on their behalf, and we take them along to meet that group and then we follow up to make sure they’re maintaining that contact.

“We haven’t got a silver bullet, but what we can do is help people on their journey.”

Bryan says there are two important things the community can do to help.

“They can look out for lonely people and that’s probably the most important thing; have a conversation and then give us a call,” he explains.

“The other thing people can do is volunteer to come and make telephone calls.

“What we want is people who care – we don’t care what their background is, all that matters is someone who actually cares.”

They have big dreams for the future and hope to host regular community events, starting from October, to continue to combat social isolation.

“We don’t judge, all we’re concerned about is that you know where to get help from,” Bryan says.

Band of Brothers is always looking for volunteers and organisations to work with.

For more information, visit bandofbrothers.org.au or phone (07) 2105 5959.