Grants now open to support social connections among older Queenslanders

Key points:

• Organisations are invited to apply for grants that strengthen older Queenslanders’ social connections to each other and to their community
• A total of $12.5 million funding is available over five years from 2024–25
• Last year 79,000 older Queenslanders across 25 Local Government areas engaged in Senior Social Isolation Services funded programs

Applications are now open for organisations across the State of Queensland to apply for grants to prevent social isolation among older people.

Organisations of all sizes that can help older people aged 60 years and over and First Nations peoples aged 50 years and over to feel more connected, supported and active within their communities are encouraged to apply.

Funding is also available for an organisation to act as a peak body to coordinate the Seniors Social Isolation Program and provide advice to the Government.

Applications are particularly sought from organisations in places where limited services are available for older Queenslanders to improve social connections, and from community-controlled organisations supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older peoples across the State.

Social isolation among older people can profoundly impact their emotional, mental and physical well-being. It can lower a person’s quality of life, increase feelings of loneliness and worsen existing health conditions.

Queensland Minister for Seniors, Charis Mullen, said she was honoured to join older Queenslanders on the Gold Coast this month to see the benefits of the program first-hand.

“I know many of the organisations that may apply will be small not-for-profit operations, often run by volunteers and well established in their communities,” she said. 

There are two grant rounds:

• $2.25 million annually between 2024–25 and 2028–29 to increase Seniors Social Isolation Services across Queensland, with applications open from 23 February 2024 to 22 March 2024
• $250,000 annually between 2024–25 and 2028–29 to establish a peak body service to provide leadership, advice and support to Seniors Social Isolation Services, with applications open from 23 February 2024 to 15 March 2024

The new funding is in addition to an existing $20.5 million investment over five years that currently supports 42 existing providers of Seniors Social Isolation Services across 25 Queensland Local Government areas.

For further information on social isolation programs for older people or to apply for a grant, visit the Queensland State Government website here.