"People have forgotten what the human touch is, what it is to smile, for somebody to smile at them, somebody to recognise them, somebody to wish them well. The terrible thing is to be unwanted" — Mother Teresa One in four Australians reported feeling lonely each week.The issue is so pervasive, and its effects are so damaging, that experts warn of a "loneliness epidemic" that could be our next public health crisis. The Nest Community is an urban retreat, where women and children connect across all generations and diverse backgrounds through craft, creation and cultural traditions, to help reduce social isolation, promote sustainable living and build resilience within the community.The community is passionate about affirmative action against landfill through upcycling and recycling, and our organisation is funded through our social enterprise schemes operated by volunteers that support this ethos. These activities include: Community Events, Garden Projects, Craft Workshops and a a second hand craft and art supplies shop - “The Nest Haberdashery”. We need funding support to grow our social enterprises and begin to build more retreats all over Australia to empower women to change their lives through the support of connected local communities and to break the cycle of welfare.