Community loneliness: Towards a framework for gerontological social work

Abstract Despite its status as a ‘Grand Challenge’ for social work, loneliness is seldom prioritized in practice or research. It remains unclear what role social workers can or may play in addressing the so-called ‘loneliness epidemic’ and what practice wisdom they could offer the broader discourse. Findings presented here, from a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study, argue for the co-development of a practice near, conceptual framework to understand loneliness in later life. Informed by critical and cultural gerontology, the study emphasizes relational practice that situates loneliness within the social worlds of older people, challenging the ageist assumptions underpinning many existing interventions. The concept of Community Loneliness is introduced as a starting point for building this framework, moving beyond individual failure narratives to support social workers in collaboratively mapping older people’s networks, dreams, and boundaries. The study highlights how social work can play a central role in recognizing and amplifying the subtle but meaningful instances of connection in later life, translating these insights across social care systems to better identify, sustain, and engage with sites of prevention. The qualitative findings presented here outline both the need for, and potential direction of, a practice-near framework for gerontological social work.