Welcome to the Uniting Communities Overcoming Loneliness monthly e-news. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest news about loneliness initiatives, research, innovative case studies and data.
If you have a story to share about how your work or organisation is overcoming loneliness, please contact us at advocacy@unitingcommunities.org
South Australia
Do you speak Greek?
There are currently over 20 Greek-speaking seniors waiting desperately for a friendly visitor through the Multicultural Communities Council of SA's (MCCSA) Aged Care Visitor Volunteer Scheme.
Many older individuals receiving aged care services, whether at home or in residential aged care homes, struggle with loneliness and isolation.
As a volunteer visitor, you can provide that vital lifeline of companionship, just having someone to talk to who understands Greek language and culture can spark wonderful memories.
Fostering connection in CALD communities
Over 6 months, Community Access & Services SA (CAASSA) and their community centre hosted 400 events and activities including 11,750 people from multicultural communities as part of their efforts to tackle loneliness.
CAASSA understands there is a need for support: in a survey on health and well-being they found that 82% of participants are not satisfied with their relationships, with a further 98% indicating they feel lonely.
Parents making connections
Hackham Community Centre hosts weekly playgroups that serve as a local hub for families, providing access to resources, community programs and support services.
In addition to the benefits for children, the playgroup also provides an invaluable sense of connection and routine for parents.
Jess, one of the parents attending, knows firsthand how isolating it can be to raise young children, “it’s really easy to sit at home and isolate yourself,” she shares, “creating that routine, putting yourself and your child out there to make connections—it just feels really positive.”
Australia
More support for community houses
The federal government has announced an investment of $989,000 to bolster neighbourhood houses, neighbourhood centres and community centres across the country so that more people can access essential government services and programs that build their social connections within their communities.
These centres also offer programs to help vulnerable Australians better engage with their communities such as digital literacy programs, employment skills and education pathway training, one-on-one coaching, and nutrition and cooking classes.
Walking club paves way for women to make connections
Hype Girl Social Club, created by Ash Ormond, is a community thousands-strong, established as a way for women aged in their 20s and 30s in Melbourne to make new friends.
"There was no other sort of space for women to connect, so if you didn't run or weren't athletic then what do you do?" she said.
Originally set up as a walking group, the women now meet up for other activities like pottery or movie nights, and even group boxing activities.
Creating a culture of connection in shared spaces
Ending Loneliness Together and Frasers Property hosted a free webinar in the lead up to Neighbour Day exploring how we can design spaces in our neighbourhood that facilitate meaningful connections.
Participants heard from:
• Associate Professor Michelle Lim, CEO, Endling Loneliness Together
• Michelle Mrzyglocki, National Community Development Coordinator, Frasers Property
• Resident from Frasers’ Residential Communities
International
Who are the most lonely Americans?
A new report titled Men, Women and Social Connections, looks at trends across gender, age, and other factors associated with social connection and loneliness.
The report revealed that while 77% of women interact with friends at least a few times a week—whether by text, phone, video, social media, or in person—only 70% of men do the same.
The data also revealed that as participants got older, fewer and fewer people felt lonely or isolated most of the time, from nearly a quarter of Americans under 30 to 20% in their 30s and 40s, 11% of people ages 50 to 64, and just 6% of over 65s.
Connecting generations through joy (UK)
The Together Project organises activities that unite people who might not normally come into regular contact, with a focus on fun and friendship.
They do this by uniting generations - with ages ranging from 2 weeks old to 102 years old - through activity programmes, community projects, partnerships and training.
Their results revealed that 82% of participants felt less lonely after engaging with their programs.
Social Connection conference (US)
The Foundation for Social Connection and Healthy Places by Design is hosting their 2025 Social Connection Conference – Seeds of Connection – on 28 October Atlanta, Georgia.
Under this year’s theme, they will explore how intentional relationship-building across sectors of society can transform communities and systems at every level.
Featuring inspiring keynotes, dynamic panel sessions, meaningful moments of connection, and immersive community experiences, this event is designed to unite disciplines, spark new partnerships, and equip attendees with the relationships and tools needed to drive lasting change.
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