The municipality of Gießen Ost starts an initiative against loneliness: Be part of it!

The municipality of Gießen Ost starts an initiative against loneliness: Be part of it!

Something is happening against loneliness in Gießen! The entire parish of Gießen Ost has launched an exciting project that aims to bring people into contact and promote closeness. Driven by the impulse post of the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau (EKHN), the community invites all residents from the Gießen Ost social area to meet, regardless of their religious affiliation. This signals a sense of togetherness that is needed more than ever.

Loneliness is an issue that affects many age groups: older people, young people and families feel this isolation. Nevertheless, the project goes beyond mere words; it offers an open ear for all those who long for encounters. Pastors Wiebke Eßbach and Janina Franz, as well as community educator Beate Freiesleben-Schmidt, are actively involved in the implementation. “The corona pandemic has changed the need for closeness,” says Pastor Franz, and she has already organized an outdoor game program that has met with great interest.

Activities for everyone

As part of the project, numerous activities are planned that will be carried out throughout the summer and autumn up to Advent. In addition to regular playground times for families, barbecue evenings, restaurant visits, games and excursions are also part of the repertoire. An opening service, which took place in the chapel in the old cemetery and was led by Pastor Eßbach, attracted around 40 visitors. The band “Andreas Band” provided the musical accompaniment, while a communal buffet provided the framework for getting to know each other for the first time.

During the service, visitors also had the opportunity to explore a small exhibition symbolizing future activities. And since the community aims to remove taboos about the topic of loneliness, invitation cards are available to distribute information about the activities and encourage conversations. Around 15 people from the church community support the offers and thus bring the idea to life.

Social commitment

As the World Health Organization (WHO) states, social isolation has serious health effects, especially for older people. Not only those affected are important, but also their relatives and specialists in health and social services. The ZHAW has published extensive research on interventions that can promote the well-being of socially isolated people, for example through so-called befriending interventions. These offer emotional support and personal support from volunteers, which is already finding fertile ground in Giessen. Within this framework, challenges and measures to reduce loneliness should be developed for everyone involved.

The entire parish of Gießen Ost is setting a good example. At a time when many long for human closeness, it offers a platform for community and togetherness.