Tackling Australia's Loneliness Epidemic

Martin Blake and Johanna Pitman

Our Focus for 2025: Building Momentum

Today marks our first Reference Group meeting of 2025, bringing together our expanded team of passionate advocates, including new member Evan Batten, whose 30-year experience in news reporting is helping us capture authentic stories of connection that cut through the digital noise.

As we kick off our first Reference Group meeting of 2025, we're focusing on several key priorities:

1. Supporting the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry with evidence-based recommendations and practical solutions

2. Expanding our research into barriers that prevent lonely individuals from engaging with available interventions

3. Developing innovative approaches to activate public spaces as connection hubs

4. Scaling successful programs like Rally4Ever's pickleball initiative to reach more communities

5. Leveraging Evan Batten's storytelling expertise to capture and share authentic narratives that destigmatise loneliness

We're particularly excited about our philanthropic grant applications that will allow us to dive deeper into understanding why people experiencing loneliness may not engage with available supports and how we can better activate public spaces to combat isolation.

Tackling Australia's Loneliness Epidemic: The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry

As we gather today for our first Reference Group meeting of 2025, I'm encouraged by the momentum building around our work on loneliness. The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into loneliness, announced in August 2024, represents a watershed moment in Australia's response to what has become a significant public health crisis.

The Parliamentary Inquiry

This "first-of-its-kind" inquiry, led by parliamentary standing committee chair Dr. Sarah Kaine, is examining the extent, causes, and impacts of loneliness across NSW. The inquiry was prompted by alarming statistics from the 2022 Mental Health Commission survey, which found that nearly 40% of NSW residents experience loneliness at varying degrees, with those facing mental health challenges almost twice as likely to feel isolated.

The inquiry's comprehensive scope includes:

• Examining the extent, causes, and impacts of loneliness

• Reviewing how other regions are addressing loneliness

• Identifying populations most at risk of social isolation

• Recommending actions for government and communities

Minister for Mental Health and Youth Rose Jackson, who announced the inquiry, emphasised that "loneliness is more than just an emotional experience; it has profound impacts on our mental and physical health."

Our Five Key Recommendations

In our submission to the inquiry, the Groundswell Foundation outlined five evidence-based policy recommendations:

1. Embed accountability via clear, measurable objectives - We've called for departmental support to coordinate and evaluate interventions, with clear metrics to track progress. This aligns with successful approaches in other jurisdictions, such as Denmark's National Partnership Against Loneliness, which established quantitative targets.

2. Leverage ongoing NSW government investment in place-based initiatives - We're advocating for loneliness considerations to be integrated into housing, community assets, public spaces, and nature access. Our research shows that activity-based programs fostering organic connections through shared interests are most effective.

3. Support business-led initiatives - We've recommended partnerships with supermarkets, pharmacists, employers, and other front-line spaces where lonely individuals may interact. Our recent collaboration with Jimmy Stuart's men's clothing store in Mosman demonstrates how businesses can play a vital role.

4. Optimise new and existing interventions - We're calling for a collaborative ecosystem that is both experimental and evidence-based, drawing on our Australia-first research into effective loneliness interventions for young people.

5. Destigmatise loneliness through awareness campaigns - Our final recommendation focuses on encouraging meaningful conversations and supporting community connections through storytelling and public education.

These recommendations are designed to create a multi-sector, accountable framework for addressing loneliness and to guide initiatives that prioritize community connection and well-being.

As we continue our work in 2025, including our philanthropic grant application

The Growing Challenge of Loneliness in Australia

The statistics paint a sobering picture. According to recent research, one in four Australians report feeling persistently lonely for periods of eight weeks or more. For our young people aged 18-24, the situation is even more concerning, with 41% reporting long-term loneliness.

Loneliness isn't just an uncomfortable emotion – it's a serious public health issue with profound impacts on both mental and physical wellbeing. As Minister for Mental Health and Youth Rose Jackson noted when announcing NSW's parliamentary inquiry into loneliness, it's "more than just an emotional experience; it has profound impacts on our mental and physical health."

At Groundswell Foundation, we're tackling this challenge head-on through our commitment to "Thinking Big, Starting Small, and Scaling Fast."

Groundbreaking Research to Guide Effective Interventions

I'm particularly excited about our latest research project led by Dr. Brock Bastian and Johanna Pitman, Chair of our Research Sub-Committee. This Australia-first study has developed a new evidence base to guide both government and private investment in effective, consumer-informed strategies to combat loneliness.

Our research has revealed some fascinating insights:

• Activity-based programs like hobby clubs, community sports, and volunteer groups are the most appealing interventions, as they foster organic connections through shared interests

• Digital programs like virtual reality social spaces were least favored, with participants questioning their effectiveness in forming "real" friendships

• The highest levels of loneliness are experienced by regional or neurodiverse youth, those with low incomes, or individuals not in education or employment

• Most concerning, the most lonely young Australians are least receptive to interventions and least likely to access green spaces

These findings are now informing our recommendations to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into loneliness, which was announced in August 2024 and represents a significant opportunity to drive systemic change.

Rally4Ever: Creating Connections Through Sport

One of the most inspiring programs we support is Rally4Ever, led by the incredible Louise Pleming. This initiative breaks down barriers by connecting people from diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities through tennis and now, increasingly, through pickleball.

Louise's latest innovation with pickleball has been particularly successful in creating accessible pathways to connection. The sport's simpler rules and smaller court size make it ideal for participants of all ages and abilities, creating an inclusive environment where meaningful relationships can flourish. The growing popularity of pickleball has allowed Rally4Ever to expand its reach, bringing more isolated individuals into a supportive community through physical activity.

Rally4Ever exemplifies our belief that community is at the core of tackling loneliness. Their programs are purpose-built to get people moving again while forming long-lasting friendships and meaningful social connections.

Raising Awareness Through Authentic Storytelling

In today's digital world, authentic storytelling is a powerful tool for raising awareness about loneliness. We've been fortunate to partner with Evan Batten, whose extensive experience as a news reporter is helping us capture and share real stories of connection and community.

Recently, we hosted an afternoon soiree at Jimmy Stuart's men's clothing store in Mosman, Sydney, raising both awareness and funds to tackle the loneliness epidemic. In a wonderful show of community spirit, Jimmy Stuart has generously agreed to donate 20% of sales before Christmas to the Groundswell Foundation for customers who visit the store and talk about loneliness.

Media Coverage

Join the Movement to Combat Loneliness

As we look ahead to the rest of 2025, the Groundswell Foundation is committed to building a movement to mend the social fabric of Australia. This will require all of us—individuals and families, schools and workplaces, healthcare systems, technology companies, governments, faith organisations, and communities—working together to destigmatise loneliness and change our cultural and policy response.

We need to reimagine the structures, policies, and programs that shape our communities to better support the development of healthy relationships. The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry must ignite a fundamental shift in how government operates, ensuring that loneliness becomes a core consideration in every policy decision.

The Groundswell Foundation stands ready to support, guide, and promote action to tackle loneliness. Because our future depends on what we do today.

Resources Mentioned:

• Ending Loneliness Together State of the Nation 2023 report

• NSW Mental Health Commission 2022 survey

• Groundswell Foundation research on youth loneliness interventions

• Rally4Ever community tennis and pickleball programs

• ProjectV authentic storytelling initiative

Connect with Groundswell Foundation

Want to learn more about tackling loneliness or get involved with our work? Visit our website at groundswellfoundation.com.au 

Together, we can build a more connected Australia.

Martin Blake

Chairman - Groundswell Foundation