DHS funds and stewards the statewide Community Connections Program, designed to address social isolation and loneliness in local communities. It is fundamentally a social prescribing model, strongly aligned with best practice, working towards building formalised links to the health system. ‘Community Connectors’ support people aged 18 to 64 to connect to social, health and community services and build their social networks and community connections. Assertive outreach approaches are used to reach and build trust with people whose health and wellbeing may be at risk. In addition to service delivery, this innovative Program design aims to build more socially connected communities and strengthen social capital through its place-focused, community development, system-level focus, and emphasis on collaborative local relationships and networks. Funded Partners work closely with local communities to identify their needs, priorities, strengths and existing community assets, and facilitate community-led initiatives including through access to a local pool of flexible funding. The Program design promotes equity by fuelling systems change and sustainable social impact for people who may be excluded, particularly those in the Program’s priority access groups. 2022-24 data reveal participants experienced increased wellbeing after receiving support, with 88% reporting positive change in community participation and 85% in social connections. Critically, average loneliness scores decreased from 7 to 4 (on a 0-12 scale, with 12 being ‘most lonely’). Two separate independent evaluations to date have also highlighted the Program’s unique partnership commissioning model has generated genuine collaborative relationships and transformed how government and funded service providers work together for sustainable social impact. Significantly, in addition to individual impact, at a community level the Program facilitates stronger, more socially networked and empowered communities, including by activating and (critically) resourcing new social activities and supports at the grass roots. And in doing so, builds social capital and resilience to change and adversity.