Uniting Communities have recently launched their new Loneliness by Numbers Snapshot which explores what is loneliness, who is affected and how do we overcome it.

The data revealed that:

• 60 per cent of the South Australian population report experiencing loneliness.

• 87 per cent of people (aged 18-24) report experiencing loneliness sometimes or often. 

• 86 per cent of people (aged 25-29) report experiencing loneliness sometimes or often.  

• 29 per cent of people (aged 45-49) report experiencing loneliness ‘often’ which is the highest since we began tracking in 2020.  

• More loneliness is experienced in metropolitan (62%) areas then in regional (54%) areas. Although regional areas reported slightly higher experiences of feeling isolated from others.

Find out more about how we can reduce loneliness in South Australia.

Anglicare SA’s Community Aged Care Social Activities customers recently had the opportunity to get back on the bike, as part of an initiative to increase community connection, thanks to Cycling Without Age.

Cycling Without Age Adelaide Co-ordinator Tom Twelftree said the experience was about maintaining community connection while providing participants with access to green spaces.

“Beyond the physical benefits of fresh air and gentle exercise, these rides promote mental well-being, combating feelings of isolation and loneliness by fostering social connections.

“They can have a chat along the way with the volunteer pilot or with another passenger on the trishaw.”

Read more about this feel good story

Dani Shinkfield is nominated for the Local Legend Award at the SA Community achievement awards for her work on loneliness.

Dani has dedicated over 6,000 hours since 2016 to supporting older people through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (with Lutheran Care) she visits residents weekly, providing companionship, cultural connections, and comfort.

By addressing the critical issue of loneliness, Dani creates a positive and caring environment for residents, families, and staff.

Find out more

Ageism can have serious consequences; it can harm health and has also been linked with loneliness.

Find out how by challenging assumptions and shifting attitudes, we can create a society where people of every age can thrive.

Join the Ageism Challenge today, at the Positive Ageing Centre free events, or explore more ways to be involved.

Catholic Health Australia have released a panel discussion on nurturing social connection in aged care, at their recent conference that focused on loneliness.  

Panellists included Dr Michelle Lim from Ending Loneliness Together.

Watch now

A team of public health researchers, social scientists and social psychologists have released a new national public health guidelines for social connection.

The guideline is divided into recommendations for individuals (which includes to maintain and deepen your relationships with others) and communities (which includes promoting awareness, designing environments for connection and investing in social events, activities and programs).

Find out more

Swinburne University have released a toolkit that provides an overview of social connection and describes a process for measuring connection including how social connection relates to outcomes of personal wellbeing, satisfaction with life, and resilience. 

Find out more

TheLonelyMillion Campaign is led by The Great Friendship Project, in partnership with a range of organisations throughout the United Kingdom. 

The campaign came about due to the alarming number of young adults experiencing loneliness in the UK.

Roughly 1 million young adults are experiencing prolonged and often debilitating levels of loneliness on a daily basis.

The goals of the campaign are to educate, challenge and empower.  

Find out more