Combating loneliness through connection
Head librarian Janine Gillions has teamed up with Annie to stave off the social isolation in Motueka’s community. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.
None of us are immune to loneliness, and a new group forming at the Motueka Library is looking to create pathways for social connections.
Unmet Friends is to meet monthly, to allow people to gather together and gently form connections in a welcoming environment.
Group founder Annie leads a busy life and is involved in many groups but says that she does not yet have any close friends in town. She made the permanent move to Motueka about five years ago and is “a bit of an orphan”.
The more she talks to others, the more she discovers that there are a lot of lonely people out there, for all different reasons. Some are newcomers to town, some are single, and some do not have family nearby. Whatever the reason, they are welcome to stop by the group for a cuppa and a chat, Annie says.
“I see it just as a platform for connections and contacts.”
Janine Gillions is Motueka’s head librarian, and she says that the library is responding to its community by facilitating the group.
“Connecting people, particularly lonely people, is very important to us.”
The next Unmet Friends session is this Friday, 21 June, from 10.30am-12pm. As of July, the group will be held on the last Friday of the month.