Frome Connects - The Connectedness Experiment

Connectedness should be considered as vital to health and well-being as physical activity, a balanced diet, and regular healthcare. While exercise, nutrition, and medical access are widely recognised for their health benefits, social, emotional, and community connectedness plays an equally powerful role but is less recognised and often seen as ‘the fluffy stuff’. It is something that we can all do but many of us are not aware of the power of connectedness.

This May in Frome we will: 

1. Increase knowledge and understanding in the community about the importance of connectedness with posters all over the town.
2. We will shine a light on what is already happening in the community around connectedness.
3. Introduce new community led micro-projects events to build in more connectedness. 
4. We aim to see if a community-led, people-powered project that focusses on connectedness can positively impact health and well-being.

Frome Connects — What’s On (May 2026)

As well as the events below, you’ll also start to notice Frome Connects signs and posters appearing all over town. These posters and signs are designed to spark curiosity and raise awareness of the power of connectedness. 

Facebook page: Frome Connects Facebook page

Free 'Power of Connection' posters available from May 1st from Frome Town Council reception. 

Friday 1 May

• 12:00 — Dress Up Fridays (Coat of Hopes) — Boyles Cross Fountain

Saturday 2 May

• 10:00 – 15:00 — Spring Fair — Vallis Farm (Lady V)

Sunday 3 May

• 13:35 – 14:20 — Rock Choir — Frome Independent

Wednesday 6 May

• 10:00 — Free Qi Gong (with Jayne James) — Victoria Park
• Morning permaculture session at 42 Acres with volunteering, nature connection and free lunch click here: 42 Acres 

Friday 8 May

• 12:00 — Dress Up Fridays for details contact rarespeciesuk@gmail.com
• 10:30-12 noon -  Trains Connect Social Group at Cheese and Grain. Just turn up and have a chat with other train enthusiasts. Also let us know if you think this should be a regular group. connect@weareconnectors.org
• 2-3pm a free Qi gong session in Victoria park, Frome, under the trees adjacent to the tennis courts on the Mary Bailey playing field. No need to book. Run by Qi Gong instructor Jayne James.

Saturday 9 May

• 11-ish-12ish — Walk 'n' Talk at Frome Dissenters' Cemetery - connecting with nature as we make this site not just a burial place, but a place for quiet reflection and contemplation and a place to observe nature. Run by Frome Dissenters' Cemetery Trustees. 

Monday 11 – Friday 15 May

• 09:00 – 17:00 (daily) — Free Co-Working Week — Edventure Frome. To book a desk email hub@edventurefrome.org and quote "Frome Connects" (subject to available space).

Friday 15 May

• 11:30-12 noon — Freebie Friday. Come and pick up free vouchers for Frome Boulder Rooms. We have 5 family vouchers and 10 individual passes for one entry (first come first served, when they have gone we will not be able to give out anymore). We will also be giving out free 'Power of Connection' posters created by Foka Wolf for Frome Connects. We will be outside Frome Library at the Talking Bench. 
• 12:00 — Dress Up Fridays

Friday 22 May

• 12:00 — Dress Up Fridays

Saturday 23 May

• 12:00 – 14:00 — Free Silent Disco — Outside Frome Library - for details contact rarespeciesuk@gmail.com

Thursday 28 May

• 10am-1pm - Debt Counselling at Frome Job Centre from CAP. No apt needed. Just drop in and see how they can help. 

Friday 29 May

• 12:00 — Dress Up Fridays

Saturday 30 May

• 12:00 — Kate Bush Flashmob — Bottom of Catherine Hill - for details contact rarespeciesuk@gmail.com
• 12:15 — Whole Frome Drone Photo
• 13:00 — Bell Peal — St John’s Church

Sunday 31 May

• 11:00 – 13:00 — Frome Hoe Down
• 8:00pm – 10pm — Bats and Beavers at 42 Acres. Head out for some gentle nocturnal exploration. A relaxed gathering to support nature restoration. Rooted in a spirit of community and curiosity. Join to learn new skills, spend time in nature, and connect with like-minded folk. https://42acres.try.be/items/69fa0d27001988e3d107dc34/wild-guardians-at-42-acres

   

  If you are not from Frome but are curious about how our experiment goes, do go to the 'contact us' page and connect with us.

About Connectedness

There are lots of different types of connectedness and each has a positive impact on health and wellbeing. We will focus on all of these types of connectedness, not just connection to other people. These are the multiple types of connectedness we will focus on:

Connection to Self (eg knowledge, skills and confidence, self-care, self-awareness and personal values). Example of research: A strong sense of self-awareness is linked to improved emotional regulation and better mental health. People who engage in regular self-reflection and self-care practices experience a 30% increase in life satisfaction and a 24% reduction in symptoms of depression.

Connection to Others (eg friends, family, neighbours, strangers, pets). Example of research: Social connectedness is crucial for emotional well-being. Strong social connections can reduce the risk of mortality by 50% and are associated with lower rates of anxiety and depression.

Connection to Community (eg shared places and spaces, parks, nature, workplaces, places of worship, community groups, activities and events). Example of research: A sense of belonging to a community can improve happiness and mental health. Individuals who feel a strong connection to their community are 2.6 times more likely to report good mental health. Exposure to nature lowers stress levels, improves mood, and enhances cognitive function. Just 20 minutes in a park can significantly decrease cortisol, the stress hormone.

Connection to a Higher Sense of Meaning and Purpose. Example of research: Individuals with a sense of purpose have a 15% lower risk of early death and report higher life satisfaction and resilience.

Connection to Resources and Information (eg books, apps, websites, word of mouth). Example of research: Access to information and resources is essential for personal and community growth. Studies show that individuals who actively seek and utilise resources report a 40% increase in self-efficacy and a greater sense of empowerment.

This experiment will not only help us learn whether increased knowledge of the importance of connectedness and increased access to activities that focus on connectedness has a positive impact on our wellbeing but it will shape learning for introducing such a model in other communities.