The Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Isolation and Loneliness final report (2022) recommended that the Queensland Government establish a network of frontline professionals involved in preventing and responding to social isolation and loneliness, to build capacity in the sector and support professional development. In partnership with DTATSIPCA, QCOSS are developing a Community of Practice for all professionals across a broad range of sectors, including community services and health, who work with people experiencing social isolation and loneliness in a variety of settings.

People can experience social isolation and/or loneliness at any life stage, and under a range of circumstances. The Inquiry identified that people accessing community and health services can be more vulnerable to social isolation or loneliness. It is a common contributing factor to poor mental and physical health outcomes. The capacity and capability of frontline professionals to identify and respond to address social isolation and loneliness can have life-long positive impacts on individuals and their communities.

The Community of Practice will provide an opportunity to share experiences, resources and learnings on social isolation and loneliness and best practice ideas for building community connection. Meetings offer guest speakers and discussion on a range of topics, with the aim of building organisational capacity to better respond to social isolation and loneliness in community. 
Attending these Community of Practice sessions can contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. We encourage you to check with your relevant professional association regarding how many points this activity can equate to. 

Meeting one focus: We are pleased to welcome Associate Professor Michelle Lim, CEO of Ending Loneliness Together, as a guest speaker for the first Community of Practice, to provide an overview of social isolation and loneliness. Associate Professor Lim is also a Principal Research Fellow and co-director of the Social Health and Wellbeing Group at the Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney. Her research interests include understanding loneliness across the lifespan and in populations including those with chronic disease and mental ill health. Associate Professor Lim is considered the leading Australian scientific expert in loneliness.

We will also be joined by the Communities Division from the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts who will provide an overview of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Isolation and Loneliness, learnings to date, the work the department has done on responding to the fourteen recommendations from the Inquiry and opportunities for the community services sector.