Reach Out

Following last year’s ReachOut pilot project, we have been successful in securing additional funding from Coop Foundation to expand the project in 2019-21. ReachOut has been working with a wide range of youth organisations and individuals to educate and empower young people (aged 14-25) around youth loneliness in Wales.

Young people have been participating in creative workshops, as well as developing their own social action projects to address loneliness within their communities. These social action projects are youth lead and run, last year one hub chose to run an intergenerational tea dance, while another created wellbeing stockings to give to women living in homelessness. To support our hubs we have created a free toolkit filled with a range of activities and workshops to help young people explore loneliness and plan their social action projects. This toolkit is available in English and Welsh and can be found further into this page where you can download it for free.

The monthly ReachOut workshops are a safe space where young people can take part in a movement to tackle youth loneliness through fun creative activities. Between the workshops there is an opportunity for weekly communication through the ReachOut online platforms: twitter (@youthcymru), facebook (@ycreachout). The project supports young people to develop confidence and self-esteem, reduces social isolation and works to addressing the stigma of loneliness among young people.

Here are some facts on youth loneliness:

1. 17% of people in Wales report feeling lonely. (National Survey for Wales 2016-17)

2. More 16-44 year olds in Wales are lonely than older people. (National Survey for Wales)

3. Those aged 65+ are less likely to be lonely than those aged 16-64. (National Survey for Wales 2017-18)

4. 65% of young people believe loneliness is a problem for people their age.

5. Less than one in five (19%) feel youth loneliness is taken seriously as a social issue

6. 81% cite fear of people’s reactions as a barrier to speaking about loneliness.

(Co-op Foundation)

If you would like to get involved find your local ReachOut hub:

Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company 46 College Street, Ammanford, SA18 3AF @MessUpTheMess http://messupthemess.co.uk/

Newtown Youth Club County Council County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG

Vale Youth Forum Glamorgan Voluntary Services, Barry Community Enterprise Centre, Skomer Road, Barry, CF62 9DA @ForumVale

Reality Theatre Robins Lane Studios, Newport, NP20 1EZ @theatre_reality therealitytheatrecompany@gmail.com

Cardiff and Wrexham Youth Cymru Hubs Youth Cymru, Unit D, Upper Boat Business Centre,Treforest, CF37 5BP @youthcymru projects@youthcymru.org.uk