Retirement, the loss of a partner, a change in health, children moving away, or simply driving less than you used to: connection can quietly shrink for all sorts of reasons, and rarely all at once. It usually happens gradually, which is what makes it easy to miss until you’re already feeling it.

The good news is that connection can be rebuilt just as gradually. It doesn’t take a personality change or a packed calendar. Usually it takes one regular thing, in one familiar place, with people who expect to see you.

At Fair Foundations, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to age with dignity, connection and purpose. Older people play a vital role in our community, and one in five people we support through our community services is aged 65 or over. Here’s what’s available locally, and how to take the first step.

Start with a regular group

A weekly seniors group is the easiest form of connection to sustain, because you don’t have to organise anything. It’s on, you turn up, and over a few weeks the faces become familiar.

Our community groups run out of our Community Hub in Fairfield and are designed to be easy to join:

• Sewing and Crafts Group — Tuesdays, 12:00 to 2:00pm. A welcoming space to learn sewing, knitting and crocheting. Many of the items made are donated to families who need extra support, which means the group gives something back as well.
• Vietnamese Men’s Group — Wednesdays, 2:00 to 4:00pm. A weekly gathering to socialise, connect, and hear from guest speakers on health and wellbeing topics.
• Women’s Support Group (Arabic-speaking) — Thursdays, 10:00am to 12:00pm. Social time plus guest speakers covering wellbeing and connection.
• English Conversation Class — Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:30pm during school terms. Learn at your own pace in a relaxed setting and connect with others through conversation.

Note: Information is accurate as of August 2026. Visit our seniors support page for the latest updates: https://fairfoundations.org.au/what-we-do/seniors-support/

Build digital skills, and the connection follows

Being able to video call a grandchild, join a family group chat, or book an appointment online is a social inclusion skill as much as a technical one.  

Fairfield is one of the most digitally excluded areas in Australia, and the gap is wider for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Our Digital Inclusion programs are built around that reality:

• The Digital Literacy Peer Support Group runs Thursdays, 10:30am to 12:00pm at the Community Hub. It’s peer-led and open to anyone, whether you’re new to technology or brushing up.
• The Be Connected Program, funded by Good Things Australia, is designed for Arabic-speaking women aged 50 and over, covering device basics, staying safe online, connecting with family and community, and accessing essential online services.
• Scam Awareness and Cyber Security workshops are available in Assyrian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish or Farsi, with interpreters available, and can be delivered to community groups or organisations.

Confidence online tends to spill over into confidence generally. One participant told us the standout was learning email, because email is what you need to register for things, log into government services, and deal with electricity, water and gas.

Look for events, not just programs

Groups suit some people. Others would rather come to a one-off event first and see how it feels. Workshops, cultural celebrations and community events are a lower-commitment way in, and there’s no expectation you’ll come back. Our upcoming events page lists what’s on.

Volunteering is connection with a purpose

For a lot of older people, being useful matters more. Volunteering is a great way to fulfil this desire.

Volunteering with Fair Foundations can mean helping at playgroups, youth programs, seniors support or disability activities, lending a hand at local events and cultural celebrations like Harmony Day, Refugee Week and NAIDOC Week, or contributing behind the scenes with skills you built over a working life. We’ll work with you to find something that matches your interests and availability.

Practical help removes the barriers to getting out

Sometimes what’s standing between someone and a social life isn’t shyness. It’s an unpaid bill, a form that doesn’t make sense, or not knowing which service to call.

Our Community Hub team can help you with filling out forms such as pension applications, utilities and housing, understanding bills and statements, accessing support services, information on aged care services, legal or financial matters, contacting services and booking appointments, food parcels, and referrals to other supports. 

Know what’s available through government programs

Alongside local community options, there are national and state programs worth knowing about.

The Commonwealth Home Support Program includes social support and community engagement services, covering both individual and group social support activities as well as cultural support and digital education. My Aged Care is the entry point for that, and our team can help you make contact if navigating it feels daunting.

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is a free Australian Government program that connects older people with an ongoing volunteer visitor in their area, with a particular focus on people at greater risk of social isolation.

And getting there matters too. NSW permanent residents aged 60 and over may be eligible for a NSW Seniors Card, which includes concession public transport fares and discounts at businesses across the state. Cheaper travel makes a weekly outing far more realistic.

Language shouldn’t be the barrier

Across all our services, you’ll find a culturally diverse team that reflects the community we’re part of. We speak over 20 languages, including Vietnamese, Arabic and Assyrian. If we don’t speak yours, we’ll organise an interpreter so you can access the support you need.

Come and say hello to us in Fairfield

You don’t need a referral, a diagnosis, or a plan. You can visit our Community Hub at 25 Barbara Street, Fairfield, Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm, call 02 9727 4333, or get in touch online.

Whether you want to join a group, need help navigating services, or just want someone to talk to, our team is here to support you with care and respect. You can also read more about how we support older people on our Seniors page.