Pear Tree Connect

Pear Tree Connect is a place-based initiative of Pear Tree Occupational Therapy facilitated by Dr Robert Pereira, Occupational Therapist, designed to address social and locational disadvantage by fostering meaningful connections that enhance health, wellbeing, and inclusion. Guided by the 5Ps of connecting - People, Place, Purpose, Planet, and the deeply Personal - Pear Tree Connect works to rebuild social ties, strengthen community belonging, and create opportunities for individuals to flourish through occupational participation. It acknowledges that disconnection in any of these domains can lead to cycles of disadvantage, reduced wellbeing, and diminished life opportunities. By integrating social prescribing principles with occupational therapy, Pear Tree Connect promotes connection to supportive relationships, safe and inclusive environments, meaningful activities and goals, sustainable engagement with the natural world, and deeply personal values and identity. This holistic model positions connection as a vital occupational dimension, mobilising occupation as a vehicle for social transformation and enabling individuals to do, be, become, belong, and connect. Pear Tree Connect currently operates in Corio and Lara, Victoria.