Across Australia, August 3 – 9 2026 marks Loneliness Awareness Week, a campaign that asks us to ‘Make Room for Connection’.
In 2024, the Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA NSW), reported that 60 per cent of individuals aged 50 and over report feelings of loneliness, while 50 per cent are socially isolated. With 1 in 2 Australians, of all ages and stages of life, experiencing loneliness, it is important to be aware of loneliness indicators and impacts.
- Loneliness is a persistent feeling that arises when your current relationships (or lack thereof) do not meet social needs.
- Social Isolation refers to the number of social relationships and interactions a person has.
Ironically, loneliness is not an isolated issue as the persistent feeling of being lonely can impact broader aspects of our health and well-being.
Loneliness can occur for multiple reasons and, as we get older, these reasons can compound and make it harder to recover from. Chronic loneliness increases the risk of mental health challenges and poorer cardiovascular and long-term physical health. For older Australians, people may experience loneliness after:
- Becoming a carer
- Being diagnosed with a chronic disease
- Retirement
- Losing a loved one
In these situations, people will experience loneliness because these changes will impact their sense of self or their social situation. This may hinder their ability or desire to engage in social situations or complete everyday task, such as cooking or shopping. In NSW, 40 per cent of older people experiencing loneliness engage in social activities less than once a month. If you know someone going through life changes, the first step at ensuring they don’t become lonely or socially isolated is to connect with them.
At Co.As.It., ensuring older Australians receive socially and culturally appropriate care is one way we can combat loneliness through regular support that maintains our participants’ independence. As a community organisation, we prioritise your support, whether that be as a carer, participant, or volunteer. This loneliness awareness week, consider how you can make time for meaningful connections through our services.
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is a government funded support program that provides socially isolated clients with regular contact from a volunteer visitor for companionship.
Volunteers visit nursing home residents and clients in their own homes after being matched by a coordinator. We work closely to support our volunteers to ensure that both visitors and clients can build meaningful and lasting friendships.
Co.As.It.’s Centre Based Respite (CBR) service offers much needed relief for carers, especially those caring for frail elderly individuals or those living with dementia. It also gives care recipients the opportunity to engage in social activities within the community they may not normally access.
Respite services are an important part of an individual’s care plan as it ensures both recipient and carer are taken care of and provided well-deserved relief.
Co.As.It. operates several Social Support Groups across metropolitan Sydney, including the Inner West, Northern Sydney, South-West Sydney, South-East Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. These groups provide welcoming spaces for older Australians to socialise and foster connection within Italian and multi-cultural communities.
Our groups provide structured activities with trained bilingual and bicultural staff to ensure that participants can socialise in a safe and supportive atmosphere while maintaining their independence. These groups are perfect opportunities for simply getting out of the house and socialising or for more engaged goal setting for the development of wellness.
Counselling and Community Support
Loneliness is not something that only affects older populations and, as such, Co.As.It. offers services for the community beyond those with aged care needs. The Co.As.It. counselling and community support team provide services that cover other triggers for loneliness and isolation, such as unemployment or starting a new job, moving to a new country, or becoming a parent.
- Supporting young people explore career pathway opportunities and life skills programs
- Coordinating social events to bring together young Italian Australians with newly arrived Italians
- Case management for drug and alcohol related issues
- Counselling to support clients and their families
By spending time with loved ones and members of the community, reaching out to support networks, or becoming a support network for someone else, you can create a sense of belonging, purpose, and identity. It’s an accessible and meaningful way to make room for connection.
For more information about Co.As.It. Sydney services, email info@coasit.org.au or call (02) 9564 0744.
If you or someone you know is in urgent need, please contact:
- Lifeline (24/7) crisis support 13 11 14
- 1800 RESPECT (24/7) counselling, information and referrals for sexual assault, domestic and family violence 1800 737 732
- MensLine Australia (24/7) telephone and online support for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
- Transcultural Mental Health Line (Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm) 1800 648 911
- Beyond Blue (24/7) for mental health advice and support 1300 22 4636
- Mental Health Line (24/7) for advice and connection to specialist mental health services 1800 011 511
In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
