Home Property Australia Frasers sponsors creation of documentary on loneliness

Frasers sponsors creation of documentary on loneliness

  • August 23, 2023
  • by Property Australia
The Property Council is hosting exclusive screenings of the documentary

Frasers Property has sponsored the creation of The Great Separation, a ground-breaking documentary by award-winning producer Shannon Swan which explores the causes, impacts and solutions to loneliness and will soon air on SBS Australia in October.

Seen through the eyes of protagonist Joey Fry, the film explores the harmful consequences—as well as practical remedies—to the epidemic of loneliness affecting a quarter of Australian adults.

At age 23, Joey felt so alone he attempted to take his own life. He awoke in the ICU 6 days later to find his right leg had been amputated. This same feeling of isolation and loneliness now effects 1 in 4 Australians. Now fully recovered from the experience, Joey searches for answers as to why it happened to him and how he can stop it happening again.

Emily Wood General Manager Brand & Customer at Frasers Property Australia said sponsoring the creation of the documentary had its roots in a strategic review of the business in 2020. 

“What landed out of that was Frasers Property exists to create belonging,” she said. “The future of how we all live depends on how we live life together.

“That belonging piece came out really strong. Then we thought, if we exist to create belonging, we need to really unpack and understand that really well, and what that means for people, and what role we can play in creating that in our in our places.”

Once the documentary was finished, the company knew it was a powerful awareness tool that they needed to share more broadly. 

Out of that process came a partnership with Ending Loneliness Together (ELT) to combat loneliness and social isolation in the communities it creates, while sharing knowledge and programs with other partner organisations to contribute to broader solutions to combat chronic loneliness.

According to ELT, one in two Australians report feeling more lonely since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with social distancing and lockdowns leading to increased isolation, impacting mental health and wellbeing.

Ms Wood said she feels lucky that Frasers Property’s customers feel community shining through. 

“We’ve learned that the work really has to start right up front in a development or when you’re creating a neighborhood,” she said.

“It’s not about waiting until that community moves into a home, it’s starting that connection and those opportunities well before.”

There is an exclusive screening of the documentary in Melbourne on August 31. 

The movie contains references to mental health and other issues that may be sensitive and distressing to some. Viewer discretion is advised. If you, or someone you know needs support, help is available. Call lifeline on 13 11 14.