RACV Community Foundation
Understanding the drivers of social isolation
We helped them uncover the lived experiences behind the statistics, transforming abstract policy challenges into compelling human narratives that drove targeted funding decisions.
Outcomes
- Personal story framework enabling evidence-based funding decisions across diverse communities
- Risk factor mapping identifying intervention points before isolation becomes entrenched
- Community partner capability built through collaborative research methodology
- Strategic insights revealing service gaps for newer migrant groups versus established communities
- Compelling narratives supporting successful funding applications and stakeholder engagement
The Challenge
RACV Community Foundation recognised that social isolation disproportionately affects older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, but existing data didn't reveal why certain interventions failed whilst others succeeded. They needed deeper insights into the personal journeys that lead to isolation, understanding not just who was affected, but how and when isolation occurred. Without this granular understanding, their funding risked addressing symptoms rather than root causes.
Our Human-Centred Research Approach
We designed a multi-layered research approach centred on personal story mapping. Working closely with community partners, we facilitated workshops that brought together service providers, community leaders, and advocates to map the isolation journeys of real people.
Our story mapping process captured three distinct pathways to isolation: Irene's journey through dementia and cultural disconnection, Charlie's experience of accumulated losses and mobility challenges, and Saw's struggle with urban adaptation after refugee resettlement. Each story became a detailed journey map, identifying specific moments where targeted intervention could prevent or reverse isolation.
We complemented these personal narratives with stakeholder workshops, creating a framework that identified 'potentially isolating events'—critical moments where community connection either strengthens or breaks down. This approach revealed how cultural factors, service accessibility, and family dynamics intersect to create isolation risk.
Methodology that transforms individual experiences into actionable insights for systemic change.
Strategic Impact and Outcomes
The story mapping delivered immediate strategic value for RACV Community Foundation. The personal narratives provided compelling evidence for funding proposals, whilst the underlying framework enabled more targeted grant-making. The research identified specific service gaps for newer migrant communities and highlighted the importance of building community connection before crisis points emerge.
