Ireland’s new Loneliness Taskforce Research Network is launching at NCI Dublin Spencer Dock on April 16th supported by ALONE.
Loneliness is a growing worldwide problem, that is felt acutely in Ireland where levels of loneliness in Ireland are higher than the EU average. This presents a serious health risk as loneliness is proven to affect physical as well as mental health. This growing need is being met by NGO’s while we campaign for more research and coordinated action.
With support from Ireland’s Loneliness Taskforce and ALONE, at the end of 2023 a group of researchers met to establish a community of researcher and research users to focus on the issue of Loneliness. This network will act as a place to bring together the latest knowledge on loneliness, to share best practice, and to create evidence-based policy recommendations for government.
Dr Joanna Mc Hugh Power , Chairperson on the Network said, “We are delighted to take the next step and launch the network at a time when Ireland needs to know more to solve what is the problem of loneliness. The work today will form the first part of our response to a health issue that affects all corners of our society.”
Sean Moynihan, ALONE, CEO said “ALONE as an organisation has been dealing with loneliness for over 40 years now , we have many successful interventions with our Support & Befriending volunteers across the country. Unfortunately, though we are seeing the issue continue to grow and welcome this first step and ask for government to work with us to develop a national plan aimed at addressing loneliness across the life course, taking into consideration the need for a ‘whole-of-government’ approach.”
There was a huge response and more than 100 people registered to attend the launch event on the 16th of April marks the next chapter of loneliness research in Ireland. Attendees from across Ireland are researchers, service providers, health and care professionals, housing coordinators,and charity staff who will come to NCI Spencer Dock to discuss all things loneliness research in Ireland.
The event will include inputs from ALONE’s CEO, Sean Moynihan, an overview of loneliness research from Professor Brian Lawlor, insights from ongoing research on loneliness from Dr Anne-Marie Creaven and Emma Kirwan, University of Limerick, and a look at the UK’s experience of tacking this issue from Assoc. Prof. David McDaid, London School of Economics.
The event will conclude with round table discussions to develop research priorities on loneliness.
In setting up this group ALONE and the Loneliness Taskforce aim to produce evidence-based research proposals for government and the Dept of Health to insure we tackle loneliness in Ireland.