Vermont Business Magazine Social Tinkering: A Human Connection Project, a Rutland-based nonprofit dedicated to building stronger social bonds, is running a new countywide survey aimed at understanding the roots of isolation and loneliness in local communities.
The Social Connection Survey invites residents from across Rutland County to share their personal experiences and insights about what helps or hinders social connection in their daily lives. The results will inform Social Tinkering’s work with many partners over the next two years, helping to strengthen connections, improve wellbeing, and support thriving communities.
“Isolation and loneliness are not always about the more obvious causes such as rural living or lack of transportation and Wi-Fi,” said Jeanette Langston, founder and director of Social Tinkering. “Even when people have the means to socially participate with folks around them, many still feel disconnected. What we need to do is directly ask - Why aren’t people joining clubs, volunteering, or going to events? Understanding why — directly from the people living here in our own communities — will help us identify and reduce those barriers to build a stronger, more connected Rutland region together.”
Available now through October 31st, participants can take the short survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5FPLCWM. After completing it, they may register to win one of four gift cards to local Rutland County businesses as a thank-you for sharing their perspectives.
Langston emphasized that broad participation is key: “We’re hoping to hear from people of all ages, backgrounds, and towns — from Castleton to Killington, Poultney to Pittsford. Everyone’s experience matters. The more voices we hear, the better we can understand what the current state of social connection looks like in Rutland County — and what gets in the way.”
Isolation and loneliness impact people, families, and entire communities in many ways including community resilience during emergencies, crime and violence, discrimination and bias, and economic impacts. Working intentionally on disconnection, the complex root cause of these issues, could help strengthen and heal our communities.
Social Tinkering plans to release a report in early 2026 with the survey findings, as well as a summary of a broader landscape analysis the team is currently working on. Ultimately, the report will recommend what next steps our communities could take together to reduce the barriers to connection and help support each other and our communities to thrive.
Residents can learn more about the project, its goals, and how survey data will be used to guide future programming by visiting:
https://www.socialtinkering.org/dataproject
About Social Tinkering: A Human Connection Project
Social Tinkering is a Rutland-based nonprofit working to reduce isolation and loneliness by helping people and communities build stronger, more meaningful connections. Through social programs, research, and collaborative partnerships, the organization fosters belonging, mutual understanding, and well-being across Vermont communities.
RUTLAND, VT 10/06/2025 — Social Tinkering
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