Building Wellbeing Through Connection | Link Into Life

From 1 October, Queensland celebrates Seniors Month and the International Day of Older Persons. On 3 October, Queensland Mental Health Week begins, running until 11 October 2026.

These events offer an opportunity to reflect on something that affects all of us:

Connection can strengthen wellbeing.

Connection may mean spending time with family, joining a community activity, speaking with a trusted person, receiving support at home or having access to counselling when life feels difficult.

For older people, NDIS participants, families, carers and people experiencing mental health challenges, connection can support confidence, participation and a sense of belonging.

At Link Into Life, we believe that strengthening individual lives helps create thriving communities.

Why connection matters

People are more likely to feel supported when they have meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.

Connection may help people:

• Feel less isolated.

• Build confidence.

• Maintain relationships.

• Access services.

• Participate in community life.

• Improve emotional wellbeing.

• Share concerns before they become overwhelming.

• Maintain independence.

• Discover new interests.

• Feel valued and included.

  
  

Connection does not always need to be social or busy. It might be a quiet conversation, a regular visit, a familiar support worker, a counselling appointment or time spent in a place where someone feels comfortable.

The most important thing is that the connection is meaningful to the individual.

Celebrating older people

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1 October each year. It recognises the contribution, rights and experiences of older people.

The 2026 United Nations theme is “Rethinking Longevity”, encouraging communities to think about longer lives, ageing, opportunity and inclusion.

Older people contribute to families and communities in many ways. They may be:

• Parents and grandparents.

• Partners and friends.

• Workers and volunteers.

• Mentors.

• Neighbours.

• Community leaders.

• Cultural knowledge holders.

• Supporters of younger generations.

  
  

Ageing should not mean becoming invisible.

Older people deserve opportunities to remain connected, make choices and participate in ways that are meaningful to them.

Queensland Seniors Month

Queensland Seniors Month runs throughout October 2026 and celebrates older Queenslanders and their contributions. It also encourages connection, participation and community involvement.

For some older people, participating in community life may become more difficult because of:

• Reduced mobility.

• Health concerns.

• Hearing or vision changes.

• Transport limitations.

• Grief or loss.

• Social isolation.

• Anxiety.

• Changes to family circumstances.

• Difficulty navigating services.

  
  

The right support can help people remain involved in their communities.

Participation may include:

• Visiting a local library.

• Attending a community group.

• Going to a medical appointment.

• Meeting a friend for coffee.

• Joining an exercise activity.

• Participating in cultural events.

• Visiting family.

• Shopping independently or with support.

• Spending time outdoors.

  
  

There is no single right way to age or participate.

Queensland Mental Health Week

Queensland Mental Health Week runs from 3–11 October 2026. The theme is:

Build Community, Build Wellbeing.

The theme highlights the relationship between community connection and mental health.

A person’s wellbeing can be influenced by:

• Their relationships.

• Their sense of safety.

• Their housing.

• Their access to services.

• Their ability to participate.

• Their cultural connections.

• Their work or caring responsibilities.

• Their experience of inclusion or exclusion.

  
  

Mental health support is not only about responding when someone is in crisis. It is also about creating environments where people can ask for help early and feel respected when they do.

What does community connection look like?

Community connection looks different for everyone.

For one person, it may mean attending a group activity. For another, it may mean:

• Speaking with a counsellor.

• Having a support worker visit at home.

• Calling a friend.

• Going to the shops.

• Attending an appointment.

• Joining a cultural or faith-based activity.

• Volunteering.

• Taking public transport.

• Spending time with a pet.

• Sitting in a local park.

• Receiving a regular phone call.

  
  

It is important not to assume that everyone wants the same type of social participation.

A person-centred approach begins with questions such as:

• What do you enjoy?

• Where do you feel comfortable?

• What would you like to try?

• Who would you like to spend time with?

• What makes participation difficult?

• What support would make this easier?

• How would you know that the activity was worthwhile?

Supporting NDIS participants

For NDIS participants, community connection may relate to goals such as:

• Building independence.

• Developing confidence.

• Improving communication.

• Learning daily living skills.

• Participating in education or employment.

• Developing relationships.

• Accessing recreation.

• Using public transport.

• Becoming more involved in community life.

  
  

Support Coordination can help participants understand their plans, connect with providers and explore appropriate mainstream or community supports.

It is important to remember that the NDIS does not fund every ordinary community activity or personal expense. Whether a support can be funded depends on the participant’s plan, goals, disability-related needs and the rules that apply to their circumstances.

A Support Coordinator can help a participant understand their options, but cannot guarantee that a particular support will be approved or funded.

Supporting older people at home

For older people, staying connected may be closely linked to receiving the right support at home.

A person may need assistance with:

• Personal care.

• Transport.

• Shopping.

• Meals.

• Household tasks.

• Appointments.

• Social participation.

• Communication.

• Safety at home.

  
  

Support at Home is designed to help older people remain living at home for longer. Access begins through My Aged Care and an aged care assessment. If approved, the person can choose a provider to deliver services under an agreed care plan.

Support should be based on the person’s needs, routines, preferences and goals.

It should not be assumed that an older person wants to stop doing activities simply because they need assistance. Often, the right support helps a person continue doing the things that matter to them.

Supporting families and carers

Families and carers can play a central role in helping someone remain connected.

They may provide:

• Transport.

• Encouragement.

• Advocacy.

• Appointment support.

• Emotional reassurance.

• Help communicating with services.

• Assistance with daily tasks.

• Company and companionship.

  
  

However, carers need support too.

A carer may feel:

• Tired.

• Isolated.

• Worried.

• Responsible for everything.

• Guilty about needing time away.

• Uncertain about the future.

• Emotionally overwhelmed.

  
  

Supporting carers is part of building healthier families and communities.

A simple check-in can help:

“How are you going with everything you are managing?”

Listen to the answer rather than assuming the person is coping.

Counselling and social work support

Sometimes connection involves professional support.

Counselling may help people:

• Explore stress and anxiety.

• Process grief.

• Manage emotional exhaustion.

• Work through relationship difficulties.

• Build coping strategies.

• Develop boundaries.

• Understand their feelings.

• Prepare for life changes.

  
  

Social work may help people:

• Navigate NDIS or aged care systems.

• Understand available services.

• Advocate for their needs.

• Work through family and caring pressures.

• Connect with community resources.

• Develop practical plans.

• Identify safety and wellbeing supports.

  
  

The practical and emotional parts of life are often connected. A person may need help understanding a system while also feeling anxious, frustrated or exhausted by it.

Small steps can build wellbeing

Community connection does not need to begin with a major change.

Small steps may include:

1. Sending a message to someone you trust.

2. Visiting a familiar place.

3. Taking a short walk.

4. Attending an appointment.

5. Joining a small activity.

6. Asking for help with transport.

7. Speaking with a counsellor.

8. Returning to an interest.

9. Sitting outside with a cup of tea.

10. Allowing someone to support you.

    
    

If an activity feels too difficult, make the step smaller.

Progress may mean attending for 10 minutes, asking one question or simply arriving at the location.

Creating inclusive communities

Thriving communities make room for people with different:

• Abilities.

• Ages.

• Cultures.

• Communication styles.

• Sensory needs.

• Languages.

• Mental health experiences.

• Support requirements.

  
  

Inclusion may involve:

• Accessible venues.

• Flexible attendance.

• Quiet spaces.

• Clear information.

• Accessible transport.

• Respectful communication.

• Welcoming staff.

• Opportunities for people to contribute.

• Support for carers.

• Services that listen to lived experience.

  
  

Inclusion is not about expecting everyone to participate in the same way.

It is about removing unnecessary barriers and making genuine participation possible.

Connection in Brisbane West

Link Into Life supports people across:

• Darra.

• Brisbane West.

• Inala.

• Oxley.

• Mt Ommaney.

• Goodna.

• Ipswich.

• Surrounding areas.

  
  

Support may be available:

• In person.

• Through Telehealth.

• In the person’s home.

  
  

Depending on the service and individual circumstances, Link Into Life may support:

• Older people.

• NDIS participants.

• Families.

• Carers.

• Workers in caring professions.

• People experiencing mental health challenges.

• People navigating disability or aged care systems.

How Link Into Life can help

Link Into Life provides:

• Aged care and Support at Home assistance.

• NDIS Support Coordination.

• Counselling.

• Mental health social work.

• Transport.

• Community access.

• Provider coordination.

• Service navigation.

• Family and carer support.

  
  

Our approach is person-centred, respectful and practical.

We take time to understand:

• What matters to you.

• What you would like to achieve.

• What is currently difficult.

• What support you already have.

• What additional connection may help.

• How we can work alongside your family and support network.

  
  

You do not need to fit into one category to deserve support.

A final reminder

The beginning of October brings together several important community messages:

• Older people deserve to be valued, included and supported.

• NDIS participants deserve choice, control and meaningful participation.

• Carers deserve care and recognition.

• People experiencing mental health challenges deserve connection and support.

• Communities are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to belong.

  
  

Building wellbeing does not always require a major action.

Sometimes it starts with a conversation, a visit, a question or a willingness to listen.

Connection strengthens wellbeing. Together, we can build communities where people feel supported, respected and included.

Need support?

If you or someone you care for is feeling isolated, overwhelmed or disconnected, Link Into Life is here to help.

We support people across Darra, Brisbane West, Inala, Ipswich and surrounding areas through aged care, counselling, mental health social work, NDIS Support Coordination and community support.

Support may be available in person, through Telehealth or in your own home, depending on your needs, location and the service being provided.

Call +61 421 183 825 or complete our Contact or Referral form to start a conversation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not individual medical, mental health, aged care or NDIS advice. Funding eligibility and service arrangements depend on individual circumstances and the rules that apply at the time. For specific advice, speak with your GP, My Aged Care, the NDIS, your planner, LAC, Support Coordinator or relevant health professional. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.