A key role of the Commissioner for Senior Victorians is to advise and report to the Victorian Government on priority policy issues affecting senior Victorians. This year, the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, Martin Foley MP, requested consideration of the issue of loneliness and isolation of older people, including the role of volunteering in addressing this.

A set of six ‘building blocks’ has been identified as the basis for an integrated approach for action to address social isolation and loneliness among older people from state and local government, funded services, community-based organisations and community members.

Consequently, an integrated and coordinated approach is proposed, in partnership with a broad range of key stakeholders including local government, businesses, peak bodies and community organisations. The aim is to enhance the benefits to the state of Victoria associated with our ageing population at the same time as reducing the risks and costs associated with premature decline in individual wellbeing and capacity caused by loneliness and isolation.