Neighbour Day aims to help combat loneliness

Held on March 31, Neighbour Day aims to help overcome the feelings of loneliness and social isolation by being making a conscious effort to be more neighbourly.

Whether that is getting together for a barbecue, returning your neighbour's bin on rubbish day, or simply saying hello across the back fence.

Relationships Australia national executive officer Nick Tebbey said people lead increasingly busy and fragmented lives which leaves less time to form connections with our neighbours.

"Neighbour Day is a reminder of the important role neighbourly relationships have in building safer, more inclusive communities and combatting loneliness," he said. 

"Each Neighbour Day we hear inspiring stories of neighbourly gestures and acts. We hear of refugees welcomed into new communities, of people supported by their neighbours when they've fallen on hard times, and of children who owe their lives to the actions of quick-thinking neighbours.

"It serves as a celebration of neighbourly values and encourages all Australians to build better relationships with the people who live around us."

Latest research paints a confronting picture of the loneliness epidemic in Australia. 

One in four Australians reported feeling lonely each week, the 2018 Australian Loneliness Report revealed.

One in 10 Australians currently lack social support, and one in six experience emotional loneliness, a recent Relationships Australia study found.

Mr Tebbey said while many people associate loneliness with the elderly, that's not always the case.

"Loneliness doesn't discriminate. It affects people of different ages, backgrounds, and even those who are seemingly surrounded by people in their day-to-day lives," he said.

"We're asking all Australians to reach out to the vulnerable and lonely members of their community to create a connection."

For more information, or to register a community event on, or around March 31, visit www.neighbourday.org.