Taking the plunge in chilly winter water to tackle loneliness

'Moist Mondays' is a community group in Newcastle that helps young people boost wellbeing and build friendships. (Supplied: Maguire Sciberras) Link copiedShareShare articleAt six o'clock on a Monday in June, the temperature outdoors is just 10 degrees Celsius and conditions are dark and windy. But that does not stop dozens of young people from stripping down to their swimmers and cannon-balling into the Merewether Ocean Baths at Newcastle. An early morning swim has become a weekly ritual for young people in Newcastle. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) It has become a weekly ritual for 24-year-old Sam Colbert. "If I don't come to these sessions, then my week is not off to a good start," he said. Mr Colbert is a member of the "Moist Mondays" crew, a community group encouraging young people in Newcastle to get up before sunrise and go for a swim with strangers. Sam Colbert (centre) has been attending weekly Moist Mondays meet-ups since November 2025. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) What started as a bunch of mates connecting over a cold plunge has grown into a big social movement, with Moist Monday social groups now running in Sydney and the Gold Coast. But for 19-year-old Zali Saxby, it serves a bigger purpose than just getting her blood pumping. "It's the conversations that we have afterwards, the coffee we get, everyone just chatting and getting to know each other," she said. Zali Saxby helps run the weekly Moist Mondays group. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) Ben Smith is a professor of public health at the University of Sydney and on the management committee for Ending Loneliness Together, a national organisation researching and raising awareness of loneliness and social isolation. Ben Smith is a professor of public health at the University of Sydney and has researched youth loneliness. (Supplied: Ben Smith) According to its 2025 study, more than 40 per cent of 15- to 25-year-olds in Australia reported being lonely. One in seven were found to have been lonely for at least a year, which is considered "chronic" or "persistent" loneliness. "There's a common perception that it's mostly older people who become less connected and more likely to experience loneliness as they get older," Professor Smith said. After an early morning swim, Moist Mondays members get coffee and meet new people. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) The study found that poor mental or physical health, living away from family, or being unemployed were some of the biggest factors contributing to loneliness among young people. It also found those who were not part of a community group or club were twice as likely to experience loneliness, especially young people living in rural or regional Australia. There are now Moist Mondays social groups running in Newcastle, Sydney and the Gold Coast. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) "If they're needing to make a major relocation, like moving from the country to a regional location or city, that can be a real point of vulnerability to loneliness," Professor Smith said. "What we're hearing from them is that there is a lack of opportunities to join community groups where they might meet other young people. Moist Mondays has grown into a big social movement in Newcastle. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) Maguire Sciberras, 24, is one of the team leaders of Newy Active Co, another community group in Newcastle on a mission to connect young people and boost wellbeing. It runs weekly social activities including pickleball competitions, Pilates on the beach, line dancing and trivia nights. Maguire Sciberras is part of the leadership team for Newy Active Co, another social group for young people in Newcastle. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) "I finished uni and all my friends were at different life stages, so I started attending just to meet new people when I was in that low space," Mr Sciberras said. Since hosting its first session in July 2024, Newy Active Co has grown into an online movement with more than 10,000 followers on Instagram. "The end goal is to have an Active Co in every major city in Australia so we can try to build up that connection among young people," Mr Sciberras said. "We've all been there, and we will support you." Newy Active Co run weekly social activities like pickleball, Pilates on the beach and trivia nights. (Supplied: Maguire Sciberras) Back down at Merewether Ocean Baths, the Moist Mondays crew is warming up with a coffee while watching the sunrise. Ms Saxby believes young people should be encouraged to try something new. "It can do absolute wonders for learning how to talk to people and connect with people that you wouldn't meet any other way," she said. The Moist Mondays social group has been running since the start of 2025. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson) Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionIf you need someone to talk to, call:Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service

Taking the plunge in chilly winter water to tackle loneliness

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