--- title: How might we reconnect with community post-COVID? description: While we are connected in new ways electronically, I think that sometimes comes at the expense of personal connection and that is a big challenge” --- [The Latest ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest) # [How might we reconnect with community post-COVID?](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/how-might-we-reconnect-with-community-post-covid) Written by [Dan Ritchie](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/dan-ritchie) | August 23, 2021 *“While we are connected in new ways electronically, I think that sometimes comes at the expense of personal connection and that is a big challenge” – Dr. Trevor Hancock* 5 years ago, the Tamarack Institute wrote about a film crew seeking to examine community connectedness and the important role it plays in our lives, health, and well-being. With contributions from Tamarack’s Co-CEO Paul Born and Dr. Trevor Hancock, this award-winning documentary, “The Great Disconnect” was launched. Since its official launch in October 2019, the film has screened across Canada through multiple municipalities, non-profits, educational institutions and NGOs, and has been shown in ten countries across Europe. This film invites reflection on the relationships we have with those around us and raises the question: Is it possible to overcome our modern culture of disconnectedness and rediscover how truly essential we are to one other? As we entered a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, this film has reaffirmed the trends that were in play before physical distancing and lockdowns were our “new normal”. Reports like the [Angus Reid Report on Loneliness](https://angusreid.org/isolation-and-loneliness-covid19/) stated that the percentage of those saying they have a good social life has dropped from more than half in 2019 (55%) to just one-in-three (33%) in 2020. With an increased sense of loneliness experienced by many, we are looking to imagine new ways to connect post-pandemic. In March, we were joined by the film’s director, Tamer Soliman, and Dr. Trevor Hancock to revisit the impacts of the film and imagine our lives post-pandemic, what can be known as** the Great Reconnect**. Here are some of the key questions from our episode, [***Social reconnection as a solution for health:***](https://soundcloud.com/tamarackinstitute/social-reconnection-as-a-solution) - **What role does connection play in the health of Canadians? ***We discussed the difference between social isolation, loneliness and solitude. Our conversation explored questions around how each state of being impacts our health.* - **How we are able to currently connect in a meaningful way with supporting the Great Reconnect? ***Our discussion focused on trends around disconnection that were increased due to the pandemic and ways to build an authentic connection.* - **How can we build better connections as Neighbors, organizations and at a city/town level? ***The conversation included stories of creating a culture of care and how to build momentum around forming connections to yourself, others and nature.* Have you seen any creative initiatives that would help to create the “Great Reconnect”? Whether it is physical distancing fitness groups, virtual paint nights, or dance parties email me at [dan@tamarackcommunity.ca](mailto:dan@tamarackcommunity.ca), if you have any stories that you want to share. As we look to reimagine how we gather, we hope you join the social movement to reconnect. Get up-to-date information on the Great Disconnect film by subscribing to [www.thegreatdisconnectfilm.com](http://www.thegreatdisconnectfilm.com/). You can also host a screening in your community visit [https://thegreatdisconnectfilm.com/watch-now/. ](https://thegreatdisconnectfilm.com/watch-now/)On October 6th and 7th 2021, Deepening Community is hosting Reconnect! an online event dedicated to exploring ways of reconnection in community. Register today at [https://events.tamarackcommunity.ca/reconnect-register](https://events.tamarackcommunity.ca/reconnect-register?hsLang=en-us). Become involved with Cities Deepening Community - Listen to[ Social Reconnection as a solution to health](https://soundcloud.com/tamarackinstitute/social-reconnection-as-a-solution) - Visit the[ Cities Deepening Community website](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/citiesdeepeningcommunity?hsLang=en-us) - Learn more about [current Cities Deepening Community Members](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/cities-deepening-community-member-directory?hsLang=en-us) - [How to become a Cities Deepening Community Member](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/vibrant-communities-cities-deepening-community-membership?hsLang=en-us) [View full post](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/how-might-we-reconnect-with-community-post-covid) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dan Ritchie" }, "dateModified" : "2021-09-13T17:17:39.674Z", "datePublished" : "2021-08-23T14:20:10Z", "headline" : "How might we reconnect with community post-COVID?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 1958, "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/316071/Photos/Image%20Library/People%20sitting%20on%20grass.jpeg", "width" : 3264 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/how-might-we-reconnect-with-community-post-covid", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "The Latest" } } ```