The Capital Region Connection in Action campaign has come to a close. Over six weeks from May through June 2026, individuals and organizations across the Capital Region came together through gatherings, shared meals, walking groups, and everyday acts of connection, culminating in a shared recognition and celebration of Loneliness Awareness Week.

“It was wonderful and fascinating to hear about the other dads’ personal interests and projects. Most of us had seen each other regularly for months but had never really talked.”

— Paul, who discovered that a simple invitation to a playground could turn familiar faces into real friendships.

What we did together

Connection in Action brought together organizations and individuals across the Capital Region around a shared belief: that loneliness and social isolation are real and serious challenges, and that building a more connected world starts with ordinary, everyday actions.

The campaign invited people to act at scales large and small. About 100 connectors came together at our May 14 kickoff workshop to share ideas and commit to taking action in their communities. Over the six weeks that followed, 65 events took place across the Capital Region, including 23 events during Loneliness Awareness Week alone.

Events ranged from community meals and pop-up picnics to board game socials, walking groups, and ice cream socials.

“We now have each other’s phone numbers, and many of us have each other’s keys for emergencies.”

— Susana, who turned a few shared potlucks into a building-wide network of support.

Thank you

Thank you to our partner organizations, whose networks, events, and outreach made this campaign possible. And thank you to everyone who organized or attended a gathering, shared their story, or tried something new!

The connection continues

Loneliness Awareness Week may be over, but the work of strengthening social connection doesn’t stop here. Every relationship made during this campaign is a foundation to build on. We invite you to keep going, because when neighbours know each other, communities are stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

“Our hope is simple: that everyone leaves having found at least one new connection that adds a little more community to their everyday life!”

— Aimee, who is designing a casual community fair with her neighbours to create space for people to make new connections

Visit the Connection in Action landing page for resources to support your next steps, and to find inspiration for the connections you want to continue to build beyond Loneliness Awareness Week.

You can also read all of our Connection in Action blog posts, including stories from community connectors and profiles of our partner organizations.

Capital Region Connection in Action is a campaign to strengthen neighbourly connection, personal belonging, and community resilience.

Connection in Action is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

As new immigrants to the Island, my family has found it challenging to build connections. At our kids’ jiu jitsu classes, I noticed that some families already knew each other well, while others, like us, tended to keep to ourselves. We’d watch our kids, share a few smiles or a bit of small talk, and that was about it.

I wanted to create a low-pressure way to connect with other dads outside of class: dads who are busy, running on little sleep, and not really having the time or energy to build new friendships. And as a bonus, our kids could extend their play and build friendships of their own.

So, I simply approached a few dads and mentioned that my kids and I were planning to check out a nearby playground on the weekend, and that they were welcome to join. Three dads and their sons came along. 

I brought some food, including cookies my wife had baked. When we arrived, one of the dads looked around and asked, “Is it somebody’s birthday?” When I said no, he laughed and said, “Oh, wow, you just wanted to hang out!” That said it all. The kids had a great time, and we adults ended up having some really good conversations, too. It was wonderful and fascinating to hear about the other dads’ personal interests and projects. Most of us had seen each other regularly for months but had never really talked. All of them appreciated the time together and suggested we do it again, with more people from the jiu jitsu classes — a few dads who couldn’t make it said they were eager to join next time.

It was a good, small start!

Capital Region Connection in Action is a campaign to strengthen neighbourly connection, personal belonging, and community resilience.

Connection in Action is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

I’m part of a group of residents in the City of Victoria’s Local Champions program who are working to strengthen community connection. In our conversations, we landed on a simple truth: the loneliest people need to be invited in, and these people tend to show up when there’s something that speaks to them.

So, on August 16th of this year, we’re in the midst of planning a community fair at the Fernwood Community and Arts Centre — a low-pressure “club day” where residents can browse a curated mix of local groups, volunteer opportunities, and support services to see if there’s anything they’d like to join. We’ll have hosted tables, colour-coded buttons to help people signal their communication and connection wishes, and activities to suit a range of interests. After the event, we’ll send participants a Connection Directory with details on every group that took part.

Our hope is simple: that everyone leaves having found at least one new connection that adds a little more community to their everyday life!

Capital Region Connection in Action is a campaign to strengthen neighbourly connection, personal belonging, and community resilience.

Connection in Action is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

When I moved into a new building, I met a couple of friendly neighbours and we chatted about wanting to get to know more neighbours, so we hosted several potlucks for people in my building. We now have each other’s phone numbers, and many of us have each other’s keys for emergencies.

Just this month, a neighbour noticed a flood in the storage area, and was able to reach everyone to let them know. My unit was affected, but I was away. Luckily a neighbour had my key and, with other neighbours, they went in and moved my belongings out of harm’s way.

We also have a senior tenant in the building and we are all keeping a neighbourly eye on her, letting each other know if we haven’t seen her, or if she is needing additional support. All this would not have happened without those potlucks. New neighbours have recently moved in, so I hope to host another potluck soon.

Capital Region Connection in Action is a campaign to strengthen neighbourly connection, personal belonging, and community resilience.

Connection in Action is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

I just moved into the neighbourhood a few months ago, but already I’ve had several experiences that have reminded me how valuable connections with neighbours can be.

One day I was struggling to attach a trailer to my bike — a neighbour noticed my struggles, and loaned me the wrench I needed. Another time, I wanted to go to a celebration at work — some students I’d come to know upstairs stepped in to help out with childcare so I could go. One afternoon I was chatting with some neighbourhood kids, and their mom invited me over and then sent me home with eggs from her chickens and a tomato plant for my garden.

All of these gestures have made me feel really welcomed in the community!

Capital Region Connection in Action is a campaign to strengthen neighbourly connection, personal belonging, and community resilience.

Connection in Action is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

I was getting into the bathtub one morning, and slipped and landed on the floor, and could not get up. I lay there, naked and unable to move, on the bathroom floor for two hours.

Suddenly, I heard my next-door neighbour loading his truck. I called out his name, and eventually he heard. My house was locked. He got a ladder and climbed up to the second-floor bathroom window so we could talk. I explained how he could get into my house, and then he called for an ambulance, stayed with me until medics arrived, gathered and put some clothes, my cell phone and iPad into my knapsack for me, and locked up my house afterwards. I was not mobile enough to leave the hospital for a week.

Knowing and trusting each other already was a major help — without my neighbour, I could have been trapped on the floor of my bathroom for days! An event like this makes me appreciate life, and neighbourly connections, all the more.

Capital Region Connection in Action is a campaign to strengthen neighbourly connection, personal belonging, and community resilience.

Connection in Action is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.