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Smiley Talks Tackle Isolation and Loneliness

Words by Smiley Team

LONELINESS is an issue which doesn’t discriminate.

It can affect people of any age, background or gender, and if it’s not addressed then chronic loneliness can lead to serious mental and physical health problems.

But it’s also an issue surrounded by stigma, and many people feel ashamed to admit they are feeling lonely.

Which is why Smiley Movement decided to tackle loneliness head on, and host their Ending Loneliness and Isolation Smiley Talk in London in September 2019.

TV personality and longtime loneliness campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen shared her wisdom with the audience, and charities who work to combat loneliness - including The Samaritans, The Silver Line and Alertacall - all contributed to the debate and shared their experiences too.

After listening to the panel discussion the audience were involved in an immersive art experience presented by the Loneliness Lab, and everyone was then invited to spend time meeting each other and sharing their experiences before the event finished.

Dame Esther said: “I think it’s always worthwhile having this kind of conversation. I think people pick up ideas from each other, they learn about each other’s work, ways of communicating and ways of reaching out. I’m sure it will bear fruit.”

Student James Downs gave a keynote address at the talk. As a volunteer listener and charity champion for The Samaritans, loneliness is something he frequently encounters.

He said: “I think that events like this are extremely important, as they raise a subject that people can feel quite ashamed of talking about.

“I think that it’s important to have permission to admit that perhaps you’re feeling lonely, even if on the surface you look like you’re having the best life ever, including on your social media “Coming to a place where it’s welcoming, where there isn’t a pretentious atmosphere, and you’re open and given permission, even encouraged, to talk about subjects which might not be easy is something which could really help a lot of people.”

Dame Esther also shared some helpful advice which everyone can put into action on an everyday basis to combat loneliness.

“If it’s a child I would recommend they visit their grandparents because you gain a lot from grandparents,” she said.

“If it’s a neighbour I think you can call round on Christmas Day, or whenever you like, or maybe on your birthday with a slice of cake and a cup of tea.

“If it’s an older person you’re passing in the street it’s worth saying ‘may I just say how lovely you look’, and you’ll find they’re shocked because they don’t expect people to reach out to them.”

The talk, which took place in the Candid Arts Centre in Islington, north London, is one of a series of events hosted around the UK by Smiley Movement aimed at bringing together communities, charities and interested parties to discuss social issues which affect us all.


Original Article by Jenna Sloan

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs