It’s a meeting of the Red Hat Society in Launceston. 

The Red Hatters are a group of women over 50 who meet twice a month for nothing more than the pleasure of each other's company. 

Social isolation is a risk for elderly Australians, and with one of the fastest ageing populations in the country Tasmania is at the forefront of meeting the challenge. 

With social participation and inclusion linked to mental health and wellbeing, the cost of social isolation can be high – both for those experiencing it and the broader community. 

“One of the issues with social isolation is it can significantly affect people’s health,” Council of the Ageing Tasmania chief executive Sue Leitch said. 

“From a preventative health point of view the more that we can do in this space, even though it doesn't necessarily sit under the health budget, it will have benefits for the health budget.”

It can be difficult to get exact figures on the number of people experiencing social isolation. 

However, a 2013 COTA Tas report found social isolation was identified as the third greatest issue of concern for older Tasmanians

Ms Leitch said connecting to the community is important in developing pathways out of social isolation for older Tasmanians. 

This is where groups like the Red Hat Society come in. 

“When I came home [to Tasmania] I didn’t have the friends I thought I would have so the Red Hats have been my lifeline,” president of the Launceston Branch, Roses of the Tamar, Judith Guyton said. 

Ms Guyton started the Roses of the Tamar branch three years ago, and it has since grown to 28 members. 

The Red Hat Society is a global initiative, with chapters across the world, and its members shamelessly “grow old disgracefully” together. 

Red Hat Anna Brunken moved to Tasmania from Albany in January and was struggling to develop a social network in the state.

“The thing I was missing was laughing, I said to a couple of friends in Melbourne, ‘Oh my God I haven’t laughed in a couple of months’,” she said.

“Honestly I thought, ‘Well if I don't get a laugh soon I might have to go back home’.”

Then she discovered the Red Hat Society and “We had one night where I didn’t stop laughing.”

Ms Brunken said the society is great for any women feeling isolated, and encourages women to just take the first step to connect. 

All the Red Hats agree, joining the society is like making “instant friends”.

COTA Tas research has shown “feeling part of something” and a sense of belonging are important to preventing social isolation. 

This can be a greater challenge in regional areas across Tasmania, where smaller populations and lack of public transport can make it difficult to participate. 

“To be frank Tasmania doesn't have a public transport system that really meets the needs of people  in regional areas and it is a concern,” Ms Leitch said. 

“That’s where community transport needs to pick up and fill in the gaps.”

Ms Leitch said councils across the North and North West are developing initiatives to help address social isolation in the elderly, and many run a community transport service for residents without other transport options. 

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the prevalence of those living alone increase with age, a risk factor for social isolation in the elderly. 

This in turn increases the risk of elder abuse and even homelessness in older Tasmanians, who have no one to turn to for support. 

The ladies of the Red Hat Society provide a strong support and safety network for each other. 

Despite the teasing and banter that typifies their meetings, the Red Hats have each others back and help out wherever needed. 

Described as a “playgroup for seniors” the friendships forged in the society enrich the lives of the women. 

Joy Bernet said her husband believes he has never seen her so happy than since she joined the Red Hats in January. 

She has lived in Perth, Tasmania for years, but it’s only since connecting to the society that she has really found a sense of belonging and social inclusion. 

But above all, the Red Hats are about fun. 

They meet dressed in red and purple and there “can never be too much bling”.

To enquire about joining the Red Hat Society contact Ms Guyton on judy.guyton@gmail.com.