Hidden from view: Loneliness in our communities

The Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion (CSJI) made a submission to the NSW Government’s Inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness, drawing on insights from our Where We Belong report to highlight how neighbourhood design, social infrastructure, and sustained investment shape people’s sense of connection and belonging. 

All over Sydney, an issue is quietly shaping people’s everyday lives. It’s often unseen, rarely talked about, and deeply felt: loneliness. 

Loneliness is not simply about being alone. It is about lacking a sense of connection – to people, to place and to community.   

The impacts can be profound when people don’t feel connected to their neighbourhoods, their physical environments, or their social networks. Loneliness is linked to poorer mental and physical health, reduced wellbeing, and a weakened sense of belonging.  

At the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion (CSJI), we work alongside local communities to generate research that leads to meaningful social change. Our focus on loneliness grew from conversations with residents across Haymarket, Pyrmont, Ultimo, and Glebe. When we asked people what made spaces feel inclusive and accessible, loneliness surfaced again and again – not as a personal failure, but as a structural barrier to participating in local life. 

These community voices shaped our submission to the NSW Government’s inquiry into loneliness. What we heard was clear: loneliness is not an individual problem to be fixed in isolation. It is a neighbourhood and a city issue – shaped by how places are designed, resourced and supported.

What's the problem? 

Loneliness is often invisible; it is experienced privately and can carry shame and stigma. People may hesitate to speak up or seek support, particularly when they feel they should be coping on their own. This invisibility makes loneliness harder to identify – and easier to overlook in policy and planning.  

Loneliness is deeply shaped by the places we live. Neighbourhoods that lack green spaces, accessible community centres, or reliable transport make it harder for people to connect with others and participate in local life. When everyday opportunities for interaction are limited, feelings of isolation can deepen.

'The Ultimo Community Centre provides me with a sense of belonging and I feel less lonely, more at home.’ – community member

Across Sydney, lived experience tells a consistent story: loneliness is shaped not only by personal circumstances, but by the environments and systems we live in. 

Findings from a NSW Government inquiry 

The NSW Government inquiry into loneliness reinforces what communities have been saying for years: 

• We need more inclusive and affordable spaces where people can connect.
• Long-term investment is needed in local programs such as community gardens, cultural celebrations, youth hubs, and neighbourhood events.
• Grassroots organisations must be recognised and resourced as key drivers of social connection. 

The inquiry also highlighted the importance of neighbourhood design. Walkable streets shared public spaces, green areas, and accessible ‘third spaces’ (locations beyond home and work), all reduce loneliness by creating opportunities for everyday interaction. 

Crucially, the Inquiry supported community-led, place-based solutions. Neighbourhood centres, peer support groups, grassroots collectives, and local initiatives are already doing this work. Removing financial barriers to participation and providing stable funding are essential to sustaining their impact. 

How can we solve it? 

There is no single solution to loneliness, and people don’t want to feel like a burden or treated as a problem. Our research examined approaches from Australia and internationally, ranging from individual support such as 1-1 weekly volunteer outings, home visits, or phone call check-ins, to community-based initiatives that bring people together.  

In most cases, community-based approaches were found to be more effective and more sustainable.  Activities that foster shared experiences – like support groups, exercise classes, or neighbourhood events – and increase contact with neighbours and others in the community help build connections organically, without stigma. 

This can be seen in dog park groups or mothers’ groups that meet in playgrounds, which build social support without people feeling like passive recipients of help. 

‘We didn’t know anyone, so we were very lonely when we first moved here. [But] there was a connection there, to be able to walk our dogs and talk to people, go to cafes. The connection was for safety, health, and for friendship.’ – community member 

Importantly, solutions must also be culturally competent and inclusive. Language barriers, migration experiences, age and disability can all intensify loneliness if not actively considered in program design.  

‘Sometimes language is a barrier so I can imagine how difficult it is for elderlies… what people overlook is that elderlies might have tried hard to learn the language, but it is too difficult for them. They might feel especially lonely and excluded.’ – community member 

Local communities already hold the strengths needed to foster connection. What they often lack is sustained support.

Where to from here? 

Loneliness is not inevitable. It is shaped by policy choices, funding decisions, and how seriously we take the social infrastructure of our communities.  

We’re calling on the NSW Government to work in genuine partnership with local communities to address this pervasive issue. By investing in community-led solutions and co-designing interventions with residents, non-profits, and local organisations, we can build neighbourhoods that foster connection, shared identity and belonging. 

Loneliness may be hidden from view, but the solutions are already in our communities. It's time to support them.

Find out more about community-engaged research and practice at UTS.