This article is part of the Pioneer Resource Center, which provides information, guidance, and resources for Pioneers and Community Champions to help them activate and grow their local Stitch community. You can find an overview of the Pioneer Program here.
Some members enjoy setting up a “Stitch Stall” at events like Farmer’s Markets, Community Days, Roadshows and Expos. Here’s a blog on members running a booth at a Seniors Festival. There’s no expectation on you to do this, but it’s a fantastic idea if you want your community to learn more about Stitch and all the wonderful things we offer.
This template makes it easy for you to fill out an application form for these events. It contains some questions you might be asked in an event application form, and some sample answers you can use. You can copy and paste the information below to make filling out an application form fast and simple.
Describe Your Organization
Stitch is a social community for over 50s founded in Sydney, Australia. Stitch held its very first community event 10 years ago. Since then, Stitch has grown to become the world’s leading social community for older adults, with over 280,000 registered members worldwide. The Stitch Community is member-led, and it is members themselves who organize and lead community activities. Stitch activities are both online and in-person, and allow members to meet and spend time together over shared interests, forming genuine friendships and connections.
Stitch was recently awarded the United Nations 2024 Healthy Aging Innovation Prize for Stitch’s significant contributions to healthy aging globally.
What is Your Organization’s Purpose / Mission?
Stitch has a mission to address loneliness and social isolation, and does so by helping its members form enriching social connections through shared activities, interest groups, discussions, travel, and one-on-one connections. Studies have shown that active participation in the Stitch community reduces reported levels of loneliness by 54%, and creates statistically significant improvement in member wellbeing.
What is Your Organization’s Charities Number?
For events in the USA:
Stitch Community
EIN 87-4030776
For events in Australia:
Stitch Community Limited
ABN 98636572364
Registered in Australia
Why Does Your Organization Want To Attend This Event?
We’re looking to let more people in the community learn about Stitch and to know that we’re here to support people over 50 to make new friends and meet more people.
We also want family members and friends of those over 50 to be aware that Stitch is an option in helping their loved ones overcome isolation and loneliness.
How Will Your Organization’s Attendance Benefit Our Community?
We help people over 50 form social connections. Research has shown that loneliness in older people can be worse for their health than smoking, whereas social connections can dramatically improve a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.
By attending this event, Stitch will be able to help local people over 50 form community with each other, giving them more connections to enjoy life with and increasing their resilience in times of need.
We’ll be sharing information about Stitch, chatting to anyone who is curious, and giving them the option to join the community if they are interested. People join for free on our website.
Our presence will enable people over 50 to feel welcomed by your event, and may increase attendance among over-50s.
What Will Your Stand Distribute?
The Stitch stand will distribute free conversation - it will be a place to sit and chat. There will be a few fliers that interested people can take away, but mostly we will have QR codes on posters that people can scan with their phones to check out the online community.