Together we can combat loneliness

Loneliness can be a challenging experience for many. As a mature student nurse, I have found it especially challenging. For example, mature students can start university with different life skills and experiences from their younger peers. Some of the university facilities may not be designed for mature students - such as nightclubs, bars, pubs - which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. The differences between mature students and younger students could cause them to feel like an outsider, which leaves them isolated, or feel they do not have the same resources and/or support that younger students may have.

Fortunately, I have been able to contribute towards reducing feelings of loneliness, alongside a peer of mine, who is also an RCN Student Ambassador, Marcus Lecornu. We have organised a nursing society at our university, whereby one of our aims is to combat loneliness among all students who wish to join or attend an event. The society is a great way for a diverse array of students to come together, share stories, express their concerns, do activities and let the feeling of loneliness fade away.

Here is a list of some of the activities we have completed or are planning to do:

• Go for a walk, around the campus/river/town.
• Have a BBQ on the campus grounds.
• Have a family fun day on the campus grounds/university’s ward.
• Have a panel Q&A session.
• Create a fun pub quiz/attend a pub quiz.
• Go for a meal out.
• Attend a karaoke night.

When we set up our society, Marcus said he felt many students were struggling with loneliness, especially mature students, and they often have difficulty in admitting and accepting it to themselves and others, and this can really get in the way. He pointed out to me that much of the research on tackling loneliness since the pandemic has reflected this.

He believes younger people are more likely to be proactive in addressing issues of loneliness in others, rather than in themselves. We found this to be true during the time we were setting up the society. As Marcus says: “By giving people the opportunity to help each other, we all found ourselves forming closer relationships with each other at the same time, allowing for a gentle but steady progression away from the situation we all may have encountered at some point during the lockdowns.”

Loneliness is an acknowledgment issue for many nursing students but creating a small group/society can be an effective way to combat it.