Amid what some experts are calling a loneliness epidemic, thousands of people across Australia are seeking connection to break the cycle of social isolation. Sparked by one woman's journey to build genuine relationships, young people are turning to picnics to foster new friendships.
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00:00While it might look like a catch up between old friends, the people sharing these cheeseboards
00:06are complete strangers.
00:09People just wanted to drink and they wanted to talk about work and COVID and the weather
00:13and I just thought that there had to be other people out there who were like me who enjoy
00:16a deep and meaningful conversation.
00:18Sheridan Hackney created the concept to deal with her own feelings of loneliness.
00:23It's amazing seeing people just sort of get out of their comfort zone to make new friends
00:27and how many people are actually willing to do that is such a testament to everyone's
00:30resilience and how much it's really needed in society right now.
00:35Experts say we're in a loneliness epidemic.
00:38One in four young Australians are feeling socially isolated.
00:42There is masses and masses of research out there now pointing to how important social
00:48connectedness is for our mental health and our physical health.
00:52The World Health Organisation says now more than ever, fostering connection is vital,
00:57with social isolation as damaging to the human body as smoking 15 cigarettes every single
01:03day.
01:04So now young people are taking matters into their own hands.
01:08I saw it on TikTok at a time where I was just feeling pretty lonely and bought a ticket,
01:13came along in January this year and it has been genuinely life changing.
01:19We're seeing each other every second weekend if not more and every time we catch up it's
01:23just so easy and genuine and lovely.
01:27Loneliness being tackled one picnic at a time.