Connect this weekend at Canberra’s CAP Expo
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According to health and wellbeing experts, Canberrans with strong relationships and involvement in the community are happier and healthier individuals.
This is not new information – it as a well-tested fact. So, how can you access this happiness and healthiness…? By taking advantage of this exciting invitation to connect with community organisations, social groups, hobbyists, and various sports codes and teams, across ages, cultures and abilities at the 2019 Connect and Participate (CAP) Expo!
Now in its 6th year, CAP was first held in 2014 and was created to help people discover ways to participate in their community. This weekend it’ll be held on Saturday 4 May from 11 am – 4 pm at the Former Kingston Transport Depot on the Foreshore.
Everyone is welcome as the CAP Expo is a community event that showcases the multitude of opportunities available for Canberrans, of all ages and abilities. You can find like-minded people and join a diverse range of groups to build social connections around common interests. Being engaged in the community and connecting with others is important for health and wellbeing; in contrast, social isolation can be linked to a number of health risks.
CAP’s overall theme is about connecting in real time, not via technology – meeting people face to face and actively participating in your desired community. However, this might be tricky for a lot of us.
We are spending an increasing amount of time online and following social media – in fact, you are probably reading this on some kind of device! Unfortunately, this increase in time spent on devices has been linked to higher levels of loneliness and negative emotions.
The recent Compass for Life survey, which included data from 1000 adults and more than 500 teenagers, found that 75 percent of Aussies connect with someone close to them every day. The people who make those connections have a significantly higher wellbeing than those who don’, therefore, it’s definitely time to put ‘connect with my community’ on your to-do list.
CAP provides Canberran Groups with a valuable platform to promote themselves and show you what they offer you if you become a member. This Expo ‘does the work’ for anyone who would like to know more and wants to get started on a plan to participate and connect with others for enjoyment (with the added bonus of improving their health and wellbeing).
This weekend, the CAP Expo will showcase a huge range of sport and recreation groups. You can participate in ‘Come and Try’ activities or have a chat with people from this wide variety of groups including art, craft, music, leisure, cultural, performing arts, hobby, social and ‘special interest’. There is literally something for everyone. Find out what interests you. You might be surprised.
the essentials
What: The Connect and Participate Expo 2019
When: Saturday 4 May 2019 from 11 am to 4pm
Where: Former Transport Depot, 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston
Website: communityservices.act.gov.au/wac/community/connect-and-participate-expo
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