The Little BIG Foundation is a registered charity in Australia that focuses on reducing loneliness by creating spaces and programs for meaningful social connections. Our flagship initiative is the Little BIG House in Summer Hill, a neighborhood hub for community engagement. The Foundation also operates the Good Work program, building community in office buildings.

The Little BIG Foundation was born out of a simple yet powerful vision: to create a world where no one feels alone. It was inspired by the lockdowns of 2020 when we were forced to stay away from one another. It started with a group of passionate individuals in Summer Hill, Sydney, who saw the need for a space that could foster connection, care, and community.

They recognised that modern life, despite its conveniences, often left people feeling isolated. The idea was to build a community hub—a place where people of all ages and backgrounds could come together, share experiences, and build relationships.

Thus, the Little BIG House was created as the foundation’s flagship project. It’s not just a venue; it’s a movement aimed at reducing loneliness and supporting well-being through shared activities, programs, and events.

Yes, the Little BIG Foundation is a registered charity. We are an institution whose principal activity is to promote the prevention or control of diseases (loneliness) in human beings (HCP).

We are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits commission (ACNC) in 2021, we have been approved for tax-deductible donations and are subjected to annual reporting and audits.

The Little BIG Foundation was founded by EG, an Australian real estate fund manager and property developer. EG’s commitment to community development and social responsibility led to the creation of the Little BIG Foundation, aiming to cultivate happier, healthier, and kinder communities across Australia.

They believe that where we live and work plays a huge role in how connected (or isolated) we feel. So, rather than just creating beautiful buildings, they focus on activating the social infrastructure within those places — helping people build genuine, meaningful relationships.

​Currently, the Little BIG House in Summer Hill, New South Wales, is the sole location operated by the Little BIG Foundation but we would LOVE to have additional venues. We have early agreement on operating other venues, however, if you have access to a community space that needs to be energised, we are ready to grow into your community.

The Little BIG House is a welcoming space where locals can participate in events, host activities, or simply connect with neighbors. It’s designed to promote a happier, healthier, and kinder community and reduce loneliness by helping neighbours be more neighbourly. Located at 16 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill.

Volunteers and hosts run a wide range of events, including workshops, gatherings around specific interests, wellness programs, and creative classes. Volunteers come forward with their idea and if it meets the mission and we can fit it in, we will!

If you have an idea and you are willing to run it, submit to become a host on our website. If you have a general idea make sure you include it in our annual survey so our Management Committee knows to prioritise your interests.

The Little BIG House is open to everyone in the community, whether you’re looking for connection, a venue for your activity, or just a welcoming space. We prioritise event hosts who live locally (in the Inner West) because local leaders make a big difference to building community.

We run programs, host events, and provide a space where people can connect, reducing isolation and strengthening social ties.

It is important to check in every time you visit!

• it helps us know what events are attended and which to prioritise
• it allows us to complete our funding obligations so we can continue to operate
• it helps us know how much you love the Little BIG house and how we can make it even better

Yes, you can book for private functions, such as birthdays, engagements, or corporate events. While the venue prioritises community events, it is available for private hire to local residents (from the Inner West LGA) when the schedule permits. Book early – we take bookings up to 6 months in advance.

Invite-only events are considered private events. It doesn’t mean what you’re doing isn’t great, so you’re welcome to book privately.

We have private rates for community members (birthdays, engagements etc ) and businesses (meetings, AGMs, team building events). Please refer to our Private Hire page for the current rates.

Please note: You need to include your setup and clean up time in your enquiry/paid access time.

No, we don’t take a bond. Instead you pay via credit card and give us the authority to charge your card if there is a problem. We will always contact you in the first instance to give you the opportunity to rectify the issue before taking any payment.

We should point out that it is very rare that we need to charge anyone. People take really good care of our venue, thanks for doing the same!

No deposit is required. We just ask for one upfront payment which secures your booking and a credit card on file (as security in the event of damages – kind of like a hotel stay). Simple as that!

While we wish we could make everything free, running a community centre like the Little BIG House does come with costs—think electricity, maintenance, cleaning, vetting and training volunteers and all the other little things that keep the space welcoming, functional and (we hope you agree) beautiful!

When you hire the space privately, you are helping us continue to make the space available for the free-community wide events we offer. You’re helping us keep the doors open for community programs that might not otherwise happen.

We can accommodate up to 50 people per level.

Accessibility is a priority, though as a heritage building, it does have some limitations. The ground floor is accessible via a ramp at the rear, and it includes a disabled bathroom and baby change facilities. However, Level 1 does not have ramp or lift access, only a wide staircase with handrails on both sides. There are two ambulant bathrooms on Level 1.

No, the Little BIG House is not soundproofed. While the venue is designed to foster a vibrant and community-oriented atmosphere, this means you may hear sounds from other events happening at the same time. If you require a completely silent or private space, the venue may not be suitable for your needs at this time.

If you want to arrive early, you’ll need to book it. This is the case for both community and private users. Please include your set up time in your booking. If you arrive before the time agreed, your code WILL NOT WORK.

No, you don’t need to pick up a key. The venue is equipped with a keypad access system. Your unique access code will be emailed to you prior to your booking, making it easy and hassle-free to enter the space. Your code will only work for the duration of your booking so be sure to factor in your set up and clean up time.

Firstly, don’t stress!

1. Double-check the time. Your code won’t work before your booking time (even 2 mins early is too early – sorry).
2. Try the backdoor – if you have tried the code several time in a row, the front door might need a minute.
3. If all else fails, give us a call. Sometimes tech fails us but we can get you in remotely. Please be conscious you are calling a volunteer on their weekend so be kind if it takes a minute.

If you accidentally press the wrong number and need to restart, don’t press anything after until the codepad has *beeped* which means it’s been reset and you can now try again.

We love hearing all the amazing ideas from our community! With so many great suggestions and only so many days in the week, we’ve set up a simple application process. Take a moment to refine your idea and share it with us through our website. We will then get it in front of the next Management Committee meeting for consideration. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Yes – you can! If you’re running a private (invite only) event, you can book at the private booking rate for businesses. If you are a business whose event is focused on creating community connection, you have the opportunity to join the Tribe.

With our mission focused on loneliness and knowing that it takes a couple of touch points to build up relationships with people, we require all events that would like to secure the community rate to have an event at a minimum once a quarter.

The Little BIG Tribe brings together individuals who support the foundation’s mission, offering opportunities for involvement in various training and social opportunities aimed at creating positive social impact for participants in the Little BIG House. Members of the Little BIG Tribe collaborate to build a supportive network, contributing to the foundation’s efforts in loneliness reduction, placemaking and community development.

Joining the Little BIG Tribe offers a range of benefits that foster personal growth, community engagement, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As a member, you can expect:

• Community Connection: Participate in events and programs that strengthen social bonds and reduce loneliness.
• Skill Development: Enhance your abilities through various volunteer opportunities, gaining experience in event planning, leadership, and community outreach.
• Personal Fulfillment: Experience the joy of contributing to initiatives that positively affect others, fostering a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
• Access to Resources: Utilise the Little B.I.G. House facilities for hosting events or participating in workshops, benefiting from a supportive environment.
• Recognition and Support: Be acknowledged for your contributions and receive guidance, ensuring a rewarding volunteer experience.

By joining the Little BIG Tribe, you become an integral part of a movement aimed at building connected and resilient communities. Your involvement not only enriches your life but also contributes to the well-being of those around you. Don’t be surprised if you get recognised in the street as well!

To bring your community event idea to life at the Little BIG House, please follow these steps:

1. Complete your police check
2. Review and sign Little BIG Tribe Agreement
3. Read the Venue Guide
4. Consult the ‘Running a Community Event’ Guide
5. Complete the Host Onboarding Form
6. Make the Annual Donation

At this point, you’ll be added to a Tribe and allocated a volunteer team lead who will support you to get up and running.

Summer Hill Management Committee is a group of volunteers who assess incoming events suitability with our mission and space. They also lead sub-team of Little BIG House volunteers, provide mentoring and support and social opportunities for volunteers. They are local people who are the voice of the community and we couldn’t operate the Little BIG House without them!

Individuals who have previously led events at the Little BIG House are nominated (self nomination or by others). The selection of the group is done by Little BIG house staff, the outgoing committee and Board. Appointment is based on selecting a diverse group with a cross section of experiences and perspectives with consideration to the time and availability to do the job well.

The committee’s decisions are final but if something has changed (your event idea has evolved in some way) than you are welcome to resubmit with the additional information.

Our committee of volunteers meet once a month so please be patient.

You can volunteer, donate, or participate in our events to support our mission of reducing loneliness and fostering connection.

The LBH Management Committee is focused specifically on the Summer Hill Little BIG House. This group looks after the day-to-day running of the space, supports local volunteers, and ensures the programs, events, and partnerships reflect the needs of the Summer Hill community. Their work is all about what happens in and around this space — keeping it vibrant, inclusive, and responsive to locals.

The LBF Board, on the other hand, oversees the governance and strategic direction of the broader Little BIG Foundation. They’re responsible for ensuring good financial management, securing funding, monitoring impact, and upholding our legal and charitable obligations. Their focus is national — looking at how we scale, partner, and sustain our mission to reduce loneliness across communities.

At the Little BIG House, measuring impact is all about understanding how well we’re fostering connection, care, and community. Here’s how we do it:

1. Feedback: We love hearing from our visitors! Surveys, testimonials, and conversations help us gauge how people feel about the space and programs.
2. Participation Numbers: We track attendance at events and workshops to see which activities resonate most with the community.
3. Volunteer Engagement: The number of people joining the Little BIG Tribe and actively contributing to our mission is a great indicator of the connections we’re creating.
4. Stories: Hearing about friendships formed, skills learned, or someone feeling more connected because of our programs is the kind of impact you can’t measure in numbers—but it’s the most important to us.

By blending these methods, we ensure that the Little BIG House is not just a place, but a movement making a real difference in Summer Hill and beyond.

As we work with the property sector for funding, we need our outcomes in their ESP reporting needs. And we are pretty thrilled about that! It’s great to see social and environmental outcomes being held up alongside financial outcomes.

Little BIG does not simply count events and attendees. We measure outcomes that are known to drive impact, not just the activities we do. We’ve already started delivering a happy return.

Did you know that 46% of Australians don’t communicate with anyone outside their home? And yet endless research shows relationships and social connection feed healing and wellbeing. Loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We think knowing your neighbours and having a place connect is a critical step in disrupting this pattern.

Absolutely! The Little BIG House in Summer Hill is a welcoming neighborhood hub open to all community members, regardless of whether you’re seeking social connections or simply looking for a space to engage in various activities. It’s designed to foster a sense of community and offers a range of events and programs that cater to diverse interests.

The Good Work program by the Little BIG Foundation aims to cultivate happier, healthier, and kinder workplace communities by fostering a sense of belonging to your workplace community. The program seeks to reduce loneliness and enhance the overall work environment across entire buildings.

Offices can be some of the loneliest places to be, but where we spend the majority of our time. Employees are being asked to return to the office and the research shows there is a wealth of benefits to our mental wellbeing, sense of belonging, career development and even our IQ by coming working from the office. But these benefits will not be felt if there is no social connection, if we come into the office and feel lonelier than we did at home. That’s why we are bringing some of the Little BIG magic into the office environment. Working hard to create a thriving office community, where employees know the names of not just their own colleagues, but those in the other tenancies too.

The foundation’s work aligns with these trends around growing emphasis on employee wellbeing and community buildings.

The Little BIG Good Work program is primarily funded as a fee-for-service model, supported by the building management team. Many volunteers also support and amplify the program.

If you are a landloard or property manager we would love to hear form you. Reach out to our team via email or through the Little BIG Foundation’s website and provide details about your building, such as its location, purpose (e.g., office, residential, or mixed-use), and any specific goals or challenges you’d like to address. We will then set up a call with our team.