As Christmas and the holiday season approach, it is often a time when people reflect on the year they have had. It is also a time when many—particularly our most vulnerable—may feel lonely.

A national survey in 2023 found that nearly one in three Australians feel lonely. Many countries around the world have recognised loneliness as a public health priority, and it should be acknowledged as a critical issue here in Australia as well.

Despite a substantial proportion of Australians experiencing loneliness, there is still significant misconception and stigma surrounding it. Many believe loneliness is largely confined to older age groups. In reality, it is younger Australians who report the highest levels of loneliness.

In a recent 2025 survey on youth loneliness, 43% of Australians aged 15 to 25 reported feeling lonely. While feeling lonely occasionally is normal and experienced by most of us, persistent loneliness can adversely impact mental health. Rates of very high or high psychological distress were markedly higher among young Australians who had experienced episodic or persistent loneliness.

The 2023 survey further highlights the stigma around loneliness. 46% of those who feel lonely are too embarrassed to admit this to others and 28% of people believe that their community thinks that there is something wrong with people who are lonely. Experiencing loneliness is not a sign of failure or fragility.

This is a major concern, especially considering the widespread misconceptions about how to address loneliness. Nearly one in two Australians believe people would feel less lonely if they simply knew more people; more than one in four think making new friends should always be easy; and while 69% recognise loneliness as a serious issue for our community, only 30% say they feel knowledgeable about how to support others who are experiencing it.

The 2023 report also notes that only a small proportion of Australians regularly volunteer with community organisations, despite a 2005 study showing that loneliness is lower among people who spend at least some time volunteering each week.

When speaking with Luke Hambly, who volunteers weekly with Easy Care Gardening—helping older people remain in their homes by maintaining their gardens—he reflects that “volunteering connects me with people I might never meet otherwise,” and highlights the strong bonds he has formed with his fellow volunteers. Indeed, SES volunteers Dave, Emma, Ruth and Scott all agree that the camaraderie and friendships they have built are among the most meaningful part of their SES experience; and as Emma reflects, “we all walk in different circles outside of the SES, which makes the social connection even more exciting.”

We tend to volunteer more as we get older, but I particularly encourage young people to get involved. As a former teacher, I saw firsthand the impacts of limited social connections on young people, and attribute part of this to an overreliance on social media and non-contact communication. The human connection you build with fellow volunteers is second to none—not to mention the impact on the people you are supporting, for whom even brief interactions can be deeply meaningful.

Mr Hambly concurs that volunteering often helps people feel “connected to the places and memories that matter most.” He recalls a time when he found a ring in a couple’s garden and the joy on their faces when it was returned, along with the memories they shared with him. “Moments like that remind me that the real value of volunteering is connection,” he reflects.

As the holiday season approaches, perhaps it is the perfect moment to finally get involved with that local organisation you have always wanted to join but never quite got around to.