The Butterfly Project: Breaking the Cocoon of Loneliness

The BUTTERFLY project addresses the social, emotional and physical issues of
loneliness. Loneliness is not about being alone but is about feeling isolated.
Losing touch through moving home, changing jobs, separation, illness, or
bereavement can affect all ages, genders and cultures.
Using the concept of ‘The Butterfly Effect’, this project starts with single acts
of unexpected encounters with butterflies in random public places. These
small playful events of community engagement can serve as catalysts for
shifts in thinking and subsequently actions in establishing meaningful
connections in the broader community, specifically the production of the
BUTTERFLIES artwork at Moongala Community House.

Workshops were held every Friday from November 2019 through to March
2020. After every workshop there was a shared lunch, an opportunity to share
a meal and conversation, develop friendships and learn more about the
activities and programs at Moongala and in the broader community.
Participation in creative and cultural activities helps to break down isolation, as
people feel that they belong and contribute to something worthwhile which in
turn makes us feel better about ourselves both physically and mentally.
After March 2020, Covid 19 impacted the project so we decided that if the
people couldn’t come to us we would go to them. So the team at Moongala
put together our “Butterfly Packs” for people to collect at our front door and
complete at home. The outreach part of the butterfly project was unexpected
however it proved so popular as it gave people the chance to still connect
during lockdown.