The guest speaker is Vince Ford, author and educator, whose presentation is titled Social Connection – People Need People.

Vince has 16 published children and teen novels, he is a member of the Professional Speakers Association and president of Tauranga Toastmasters.  He is currently researching, writing and speaking on “Human Connection”.

In his presentation to the U3A Tauranga General Meeting on 17 May, he will be emphasising the ties that bind us together rather than the wedges that drive us apart. 

Vince will deliver an engaging and well-researched speech, linking the importance of social connection to the current disturbing statistics about the prevalence of loneliness.  He describes our society as fractured, with individuals potentially more isolated because of social mobility and technological changes in the ways we communicate.

He will demonstrate the powerful effect of social rejection, describing the feeling as registering in the brain the same way as physical pain does.  He explains how extended periods of loneliness due to social isolation can increase the chances of premature death in much the same way as the effect of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Vince will offer useful insights into how we might engage more effectively with people, especially those who may be lonely or on the outer of social networks, the key being genuine listening.  He also advocates loosely connecting with a wide range of people and listening to their story as a way of avoiding the trap of believing that we all think the same.

Finally, Vince notes that loneliness is subjective.  If people are happy in their own company that’s okay, as “connection with self” is the most important connection.  He also mentions the powerful positive effect of being in nature and of mindfulness activities such as yoga.

Vince’s thought-provoking talk is a reminder of the importance of our social networks and relationships.  He has a website www.vinceford.org