Help us to "Light up Loneliness" by encouraging your local council to get involved.
Loneliness is a growing issue for Kiwis of all ages. But the good news is, that it is solvable!
The NZ Coalition to End Loneliness is running a ‘Light up loneliness’ campaign this month to raise awareness and encourage action on loneliness across Aotearoa.
The New Zealand Coalition to End Loneliness is a growing group of non-profit organisations, businesses and researchers working together to end loneliness for individuals, in communities, and at workplaces in New Zealand.
They are now calling on Local Government to help them “Light up loneliness”.
“Imagine if every Mayor and Council across New Zealand helped promote the “Lets End Loneliness” website and made tackling loneliness a priority, using their own local community resources,” says Stephanie Clare, Age Concern New Zealand Chief Executive.
“It would be a gamechanger. Taking this issue out of the shadows, reducing the stigma and shame, and giving it light is the aim of the campaign” she says.
Social connection is a key factor for healthy, prosperous people, communities, and workplaces, but loneliness in New Zealand is increasing. In the March 2021 quarter 18.4% of New Zealanders felt lonely most, all or some of the time, up from 16.6% in 2018, and 13.9% in 2014.
“Many of us have experienced loneliness at some time in our lives and we know that feels horrible, but it can be addressed and solved. Together we can end loneliness for New Zealanders who feel isolated” says Sam Johnson, Founder and Chief Executive of Student Volunteer Army.
The letsendloneliness.co.nz website provides information on tackling loneliness and where to get help, as well as up-to-date news and research.
“The website is designed as a source of information which also links people to support services. We challenge every Local Council in New Zealand to create a link on their own websites to letsendloneliness.co.nz” says Sam Johnson.
The recent COVID-19 lockdown highlights that everyone can feel isolated and lonely. Catherine Hall, Chief Executive of Alzheimers New Zealand believes everyone should feel safe, supported, loved, and connected.
“Sadly, people often find family, whānau and friends take a step back just when they need them most. We stand alongside our coalition partners and with all New Zealanders, to make sure no one feels alone.”
Help light up loneliness! The campaign is not just for councils. Anyone can create a link to the letsendloneliness.co.nz or post a mention through social media channels to support the ‘Light up loneliness’ campaign.
Together we can end loneliness, one person, one community, one workplace at a time.
Poll: Could we live without public bins?
Many public rubbish bins are being removed by councils due to the large costs of regularly emptying them. Do you think we can adapt and live without them?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
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12.1% Yes
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87.4% No
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0.5% Other - I'll share below
Golden Ages Dance - Wednesday 24th April 10am - 1pm
The Glenview Community Centre are hosting an Old-time Dance Event for all our senior citizens (see invite attached).
We are planning a touch of nostalgia and charm for all our grama's and grampa's with a YOUNG AT HEART dance at:
Glenview Community Centre
Wednesday 24th April from 10am - 1pm (day before ANZAC).
Our kaumatua/elderly often get overlooked so let's honour them by bringing back the Memories, the Fun and a Touch of Yester-year with dances like the Viennese swing, the Glengarry, the Platinum waltz and the Maxina! Put your dancing shoes on and come along and join us! For beginners to experienced and everyone in between.
A light lunch will be provided so come along, bring a friend and enjoy an entertaining trip down memory lane.
$5 entry
Ph Mel on 021 229 8097 for more details
Have you seen a fire engine go over a raised platform?
Traffic calming measures are delaying response times for fire crews and putting lives at risk, a group of frontline Hamilton firefighters say.
Last month Hamilton City Council slammed the brakes on a number of not-yet contracted roading projects that would have installed more raised platforms and in-lane bus stops across the city after a “tsunami” of push-back from the public.
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