Ending Loneliness in the City Community Forum Summary Report

On June 8 2023 at the Sydney Town Hall around 60 people including representatives of resident action groups, social and community organisations, and researchers from the City of Sydney Local Government Area, attended a forum about loneliness in the city. This report summarises some of the main points from the discussion on the day, along with some highlights from relevant research about loneliness and examples from other countries about what is working to address loneliness, including local councils. It includes recommendations and suggestions for action that could be taken at the local level to address loneliness and increase social connection. The forum was co-hosted by Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore (City of Sydney), Sydney Alliance, Wayside Chapel, the Coalition of Caring for Community Centres (4CCCs), Inner Sydney Voice and the Greens. The forum focused on three themes: • What is known about loneliness, particularly as it impacts those in the inner-city? • What works to prevent loneliness? • What opportunities are there at the local level, for those living and working in inner city, City of Sydney Council, to address loneliness?