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A new survey has been launched to try and gauge the problem of loneliness in Guernsey, and how it can be tackled.
A previous survey, held in 2018, found that 18% of the 2,656 respondents said that they "often or always felt lonely, isolated or lacked companionship".
That poll was carried out as part of the Guernsey and Alderney Wellbeing Survey. It also provided some evidence to suggest that people between the ages of 16 and 24 were "more likely to experience higher levels of loneliness than the general population".
The results of the 2018 survey were said to show that respondents aged 16–24 were "significantly more likely to have low mental wellbeing compared to the average" and "were more likely than average to experience high levels of loneliness, especially emotional loneliness".
The 2018 survey results showed that levels of low mental wellbeing in the under-25s had doubled since 2013. The 2018 survey included 16 and 17 year olds while the 2013 one hadn't, so the organisers of the new loneliness survey say they want to "look more closely at mental health in this age group to ascertain what difference this may have made and better understand this important issue".
Pictured: A previous survey highlighted concerns over loneliness in the island's young adults.
The new survey is focused on 'connection' and 'belonging' in Guernsey and is being conducted by participants in the 'Peace Education and Action for Impact 2023' run by World BEYOND War and the Rotary Action Group for Peace, and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Guernsey as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.
The survey will be held in six other countries too, by other groups also taking part in peace projects relevant to their local circumstances.
Jacques Le Page is one of the local participants. He and friends Charley Addison, Clare Birtwistle, Rebecca Guilmoto, and Semelia Hamon are being supported by Carol Le Page, Charles Rukwaro, Claire Lane, and Jannine Birtwistle.
“We are a small group of five participants between 18 and 35 years old working on this project with two mentors and two co-ordinators locally," Mr Le Page explained.
"The Group believes that loneliness is a key issue locally it wanted to help address. We believe the results will be useful to Health Connections, who we have been liaising with, as well as other local charities and organisations.
"The aim of the project is to make suggestions for enabling a greater feeling of belonging and connectiveness and reducing isolation and loneliness. An anonymised summary report will be available publicly once we have analysed the results.”
The survey has been timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, which comes to a close on Sunday 21 May.
Pictured: This Sunday is the GSPCA's Seafront Sunday.
Sunday will see the GSPCA take over the town quay for this year's Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday and Mr Le Page said he and others will be there taking survey responses.
"We have a free raffle with three great prizes to thank those that take part. You can fill out the survey online or join us at Seafront Sunday on 21 May 2023.
"Paper copies will be available at Seafront Sunday or we can provide a device for you to complete the survey when you visit our stand.
"If you want to be entered into the raffle we will need your email address or contact number but otherwise the survey responses are completely anonymous.”
The raffle prizes are a £100 voucher for Iris & Dora, a £75 voucher for Queux Patio Garden Centre, and a one year Discovery Pass.
Pictured: The programme is a joint initiative between World BEYOND War and the Rotary Action Group for Peace. It offers participants opportunities to learn from, dialogue with, and strategise for change with experts, peer activists and other changemakers from around the world.
The World BEYOND War Course is a global programme offered locally this year with applications encouraged from those who wanted to 'make a difference in themselves and others'.
The Guernsey team members have conceived, shaped, and will deliver and evaluate their own social action project having decided that loneliness is relevant to them from their prior knowledge and understanding, their own interests and their new learning from the course, each other and the participants from other parts of the world.
They have been able to meet with and learn from other countries' teams including those from Bosnia and Herezegovina, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Iraq, and The Philippines.
The Rotary Club said this "combination of international and local input and the diverse backgrounds of all participants has brought a truly global dynamic to a local setting enriching everyone’s experience".
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