04 February 2025

Forging Community Connections in the Fleurieu

Community Connector, Franki. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

It all starts with a smile, a “listening ear” and often, good coffee.  

In just a few months, Junction Community Connector Franki Scarfo has become a friendly, familiar face based at Goolwa supporting locals through the Community Connections program (CCP) in the Fleurieu.  

Delivered by Junction in partnership with Skylight Mental Health across the Fleurieu, the CCP is a Department of Human Services initiative. The program involves a dedicated community “connector” – getting to know and understand a person’s goals and interests to link them with longer-term, sustainable supportive community, social, and service networks.  

Across the water, Community Connector Claudia Rothe has recently joined the Junction team on Kangaroo Island to support island locals.  

Franki said the CCP was about people connecting with themselves as well as others.  

“The CCP allows one-on-one support to develop the goals we may have only dreamed possible,” she said. “The first thing isn’t always the right thing, but the next thing might be.”  

Franki said navigating pathways was pivotal.  

“There is often a lot of information available, and people need help to process that along with a focus in on their own interests,” she said. “It can be overwhelming not just on an emotional level but also, in a practical sense.”  

Since starting in the role late last year, Franki has worked with around 15 people – including Lisa,* who recently moved to Goolwa.  

“I grew up in a small rural town where I had really intense community connections,” Lisa explained. “I couldn’t replicate that.  

“I went to boarding school and a lot of my peers went on to marry and have families but that wasn’t my journey.  

“Moving around disrupts the flow of community, too.

"I knew I needed to participate. I could make the first step, but I couldn’t seem to move past that.”

Things changed when Lisa saw an article in the local newspaper about the Community Connections Program (CCP).  

After chatting on the phone to Franki, Lisa and Franki met for coffee.  

Several months on, Lisa describes it as “a revolution”.   “The big change for me was doing something practical not just walk or look around aimlessly by myself,” the former community services and tourism worker explained.  

“I knew I wanted to be part of community activities, but I wasn’t sure what that looked like. One of the other issues I faced was finding groups or places with people my own age.  

“To start with Franki went with me to a couple of programs. They were fun but they weren’t for me. Going to the community centre and then going back was a big step.”  

It was also a game-changer. Lisa is now a regular at the library and community centre, taking part in a range of activities based at or out of the venues. She is also undertaking several self-development courses to position her for the future.  

“I’m really busy now,” she said.

The CCP is open to people aged 18 to 64 and who are not eligible for Federal Government programs such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and My Aged Care. Priority is given to unpaid carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, those from new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those who are financially disadvantaged. The CCP works with participants for up to 12 weeks and connects them with longer term support where needed.

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