"Together in Bocholt": Bocholt launches initiative against loneliness

Loneliness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life - the participants at the kick-off event "Together in Bocholt" on Thursday evening agreed on this. Personal experience reports, ideas for digital and analogue offers of help and urgent appeals to strengthen social participation dominated the evening.

At the public event, citizens with very different perspectives on the topic of loneliness had their say. The event was opened by Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff, who spoke together with moderator Raimund Stroick about various forms of loneliness.

Ministerial Director Heike Weiß came to Bocholt to represent the NRW Minister Karl-Josef Laumann, who was unable to attend at short notice. She presented the various projects and forms of support provided by the state.

A shocked silence prevailed as people described their personal experiences. Sandra Übbing, school social worker at Hohe Giethorst, described how young people are increasingly withdrawing into digital worlds and losing direct contact with their peers. She appealed to parents to show them alternatives and actively promote social encounters.

Miriam Pietzka described the experience of how drastically the birth of a child with a disability can affect social life. For many families, this means an abrupt departure from their previous everyday life and social environment.

Solutions were also presented: Sports graduates Moritz Middelkamp, Rian Dero and Jannis Lamhardt presented their app idea "Kontaktherz", which aims to facilitate new encounters between senior citizens. Andreas Hüls, property developer, emphasised the importance of architectural concepts with meeting spaces as protection against loneliness.

Hildegard Frieling-Heipel presented the work of the Sehen.Helfen.Handeln e.V. association, which, among other things, provides telephone support for lonely older people. Volunteers such as Hildegard Jochmann and Danny Graupner reported on the L-i-A e.V. swap box in the cemetery neighbourhood, which is increasingly being used as a place for people to meet and exchange ideas. Johannes Janssen-Kappenhoff also confirmed this development at the Repair Café, where joint repairs have long been associated with social interaction.

The website www.bocholt.de/gemeinsam set up by the city provides information on the topic of loneliness as well as contact points and services for people affected by loneliness.

Richard Förg, social planner for the city of Bocholt: "We would be delighted if the 20 or so partners in the initiative so far - from social organisations such as the DRK to sports clubs and schools - were joined by even more organisations that have ideas or offers to combat loneliness."

If you are interested in becoming a partner of the "Gemeinsam in Bocholt" initiative, please contact Richard Förg (Social Planning) on 02871-953-2365 or richard.foerg(at)bocholt(dot)de