Community Groups Combat Rising Loneliness Across Australia

Local gatherings and volunteer schemes are tackling the growing social isolation crisis in rural and urban centres.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Friendships

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of two empty wooden garden chairs facing each other, evoking community and social connection. — Australian community programs are scaling up social support initiatives to combat rising loneliness, which now affects over half of the national population. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe local community groups are effective at reducing loneliness in your area?

More than half of Australians suffer from loneliness, a condition with health impacts comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Local initiatives like weekly social clubs and volunteer companionship programmes are emerging to mitigate these risks.

Why it matters

Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a public health epidemic, especially in regional areas where geographic distance creates barriers to connection. Addressing this isolation is crucial for improving mortality rates across the nation.

Studies indicate that the health impact of chronic isolation is equivalent to the mortality risk of smoking 15 cigarettes daily. The 18 to 25 and 65 and over cohorts represent the loneliest demographic groups in Australia.

The players

Ending Loneliness Together

This organization tracks loneliness prevalence through national surveys and research initiatives.

Old Bastards

This is a social group based in Carnarvon that facilitates community connection through weekly gatherings.

The details

In Carnarvon, the Old Bastards group hosts weekly gatherings at the Gascoyne Hotel to foster community connection. Meanwhile, the Gold Coast-based Chatterbox programme pairs volunteers with older individuals, such as 95-year-old Cyril, to provide essential social contact.

2018: Ending Loneliness Together began surveying Australians.
2023: The US Surgeon General declared isolation a public health epidemic.
Every Thursday night: The Old Bastards group meets at the Gascoyne Hotel in Carnarvon.

Culture Shift

These community-led efforts reflect a broader shift toward treating social connection as a critical public health priority following the US Surgeon General's 2023 declaration of an isolation epidemic. This transition moves away from viewing loneliness as an individual failing toward addressing it as a systemic societal issue.

Residents in regional areas can seek out local social groups to reduce the health risks associated with geographic isolation. Those interested in supporting the elderly can join volunteer rosters to provide companionship for older members of the community.

The takeaway

Social isolation is a significant health concern that requires proactive community engagement to manage. Implementing regular social routines or volunteering to support isolated individuals are effective methods for improving personal and community wellbeing.