Blog

Diego is a researcher with the Belonging Research Lab who completed the MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on socio-environmental conflicts in Latin America,… view full article >>

The Belonging Form has convened two conversations on a question that is becoming increasingly urgent: what does belonging mean for young people in a screen saturated age? This is particularly… view full article >>

The Belonging Forum is partnering with Sightsavers on an inclusive sensory garden that has been chosen for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, which takes place in London in May.… view full article >>

Thank You for a Year of Building Belonging As this year comes to a close, I find myself holding two important truths at the same time. The global situation is… view full article >>

What happens when you combine four brilliant comedians, a room full of strangers, and a spotlight on belonging? A lot of laughter—and a bit of magic ✨ Across every set—from… view full article >>

The Walrus Talks at Home: Aging and Belonging How do we foster belonging across generations? What does it mean to age — and thrive — in a world that often… view full article >>

Last week, the Belonging Forum continued its series of community visits, travelling to Watford in the UK to explore the realities of social connection in a town that presents a… view full article >>

At the 2025 Global Symposium on Belonging in Toronto, we wanted to create something that would not only inspire reflection but help participants feel the principles at the heart of… view full article >>

The Walrus Talks at Home: Place and Belonging Reimagining the spaces that bring us together How do the places where we gather shape how we connect? From housing to green… view full article >>

This month, we gathered for our fifth Global Symposium – a week devoted to connection, reflection, and shared action. This year’s theme, “Bridges to Belonging,” invited us to explore how… view full article >>

This autumn, the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) will officially become the Belonging Forum. Since 2017, SCSC has been a home for research, advocacy, and convenings – including four… view full article >>

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we welcomed advocates, community leaders, and changemakers to our third annual Belonging Forum breakfast reception to explore one of the most vital questions of our time:… view full article >>

By Caroline Naluwemba, 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow Caroline is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Harvard Law School Project on Disability. She is a dedicated self-advocate from Inclusion Uganda,… view full article >>

By Méliss Desmond, 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow Méliss is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow working with Special Olympics. They are building a career in public health, focused on creating equitable… view full article >>

by Fionn Crombie Angus, 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow  Fionn is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Harvard Law School Project on Disability. Fionn is a passionate advocate, and an… view full article >>

Samantha is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Partners in Health Malawi, known locally as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU). She has recently completed her Bachelor of Science Degree… view full article >>

The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism The growing trend of social isolation is one of the major challenges our world faces today. Studies show that the “loneliness epidemic” is causing significant… view full article >>

Last month, the Belonging Forum continued its series of community visits, which began in Hexham, with a local roundtable in Western Scotland.   We co-hosted our second roundtable in the constituency… view full article >>

Reflections on Anthropy: Rebooting Britain by Belonging  This March, we joined Anthropy at the Eden Project in Cornwall. A gathering of over 2,000 people, Anthropy’s mission focuses on how to… view full article >>

Stanford is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, working with Synergos South Africa. With degrees in Education and Teacher Development from the University of Pretoria, he advocates for quality education and… view full article >>

This week, the Belonging Forum held its first community visit to Hexham, located in the North East of England. The purpose of the visit was to inform the world’s first Charter… view full article >>

How can Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and practices help us understand the essential human experience of belonging? The world is facing a crisis of belonging. Leading public health authorities have declared… view full article >>

Public debates play a crucial role in shaping policies and addressing the most pressing issues of our time. The Battle of Ideas festival does just that, by bringing together policymakers,… view full article >>

Dorothy is a 2024 Research Fellow with over 20 years of experience living in shared homes. She has poured her passion for this lifestyle into founding Golden HomeSharing Connections, an organization dedicated… view full article >>

Exploring the power of social prescribing to build connections, improve well-being, and foster belonging The evidence is clear: social isolation and loneliness can be as harmful to our health as… view full article >>

Suad is a 2024 Research Fellow working with the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) and a community-based researcher with a passion for advancing social justice knowledge. Rooted in her Somali… view full article >>

Maya is a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow working with Indigenous Climate Action (ICA). for the Summer. Maya is pursuing her Masters of Social Justice at Lakehead University while completing a creative thesis… view full article >>

During this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week, the Belonging Forum hosted its annual breakfast reception, bringing together a group of friends, colleagues and partners from many walks of life. The aim was to… view full article >>

A Year-End Message by Kim Samuel I’ve always loved the symbolism of this time of year. In the Northern Hemisphere, where I live, this is the time when we move… view full article >>

Last month, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Founder and Chief Belonging Officer Kim Samuel brought her message of belonging and social connection to South Africa. The two-week tour, which included… view full article >>

NEWS 24 | SCSC Founder and Chief Belonging Officer Kim Samuel answers questions about the journey to publishing her book, On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation. READ view full article >>

History tells us that we’re in trouble if we prioritize efficiency and growth over values like equity and social connectedness. By Kim Samuel Recently, the renowned venture capitalist Vinod Khosla… view full article >>

Imagine if you could: These are just some of the many benefits of an urban planning concept that’s rapidly entered mainstream public discourse in recent years: the 15-minute city. The… view full article >>

The Big Issue | SCSC Founder & Chief Belonging Officer Kim Samuel lays out three tangible steps policymakers can take to support caregivers in the United Kingdom. READ THE ARTICLE view full article >>

Happy International Women’s Day! To celebrate the difference women make every day around the world, the team at the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness is sharing a list of some of the… view full article >>

The Catholic Herald | The Catholic Herald writes about SCSC Founder Kim Samuel’s discussion with +Father Erik Varden at the Sheldonian Theatre, University of Oxford. Their discussion explores the topic… view full article >>

Three years ago, the field of social connectedness was populated by a much smaller group of actors, working on an area of study that seldom made the press or public discourse. While… view full article >>

SCSC recently hosted its 2022 Global Symposium, Imagination and Action: Building Systems of Belonging, in Toronto, Canada. Bringing together more than 150 stakeholders from across the world, the Symposium provided a space… view full article >>

Chatline | Feeling lonely is more than just a bummer—researchers are increasingly sounding the alarm about its significant health ramifications. Our bodies send us signals when we’re thirsty or hungry,… view full article >>