On 27 May 2021, the Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion that the Community Support and Services Committee inquire into and report on social isolation and loneliness in Queensland (the Inquiry). The terms of reference for the Inquiry include several key components that are directly relevant to volunteering, its benefits for wellbeing and connection, efforts to enable volunteering across the state, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and known gaps in the state’s volunteering sector.
Volunteering Queensland is providing a submission to present information on the positive and enduring impact of volunteering on social isolation and loneliness, as well as the solutions it presents. Also, this submission seeks to represent and advocate for Queensland’s volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations, especially those that actively provide services that relate to wellbeing, social connection and inclusion, and mental health.