Community led program against loneliness sees success in first year

A pilot project has seen its first year working to overcome one of the most challenging public health issues of our time – loneliness. According to the 2023 State of the Nation report almost one in three Australians are feeling its impacts.

But, just over one year ago, Spark was launched in the Adelaide Hills, hosting a suite of community-led initiatives geared towards fostering connection to combat loneliness and isolation.

It was back in 2022 the concept of Spark was conceived from The Loneliness Project, a collaboration between the University of South Australia and The Hut Community Centre.

Image: UnSplash – Priscilla Du Preez

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Dr Nadia Corsini – Senior Research Fellow in the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre at University of South Australia, Hayley Everuss – Community Engagement Lead of Spark, and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 27 November 2025