Together against loneliness: 40 participants enthusiastically

Together against loneliness: 40 participants enthusiastically

Oftersheim, Deutschland - in Oftersheim is actively addressed against loneliness. On June 12, 2025, a conference of the Evangelical Church of Baden took place in the Eichendorffstraße parish hall, which dealt with this urgent topic. Volunteers of the visiting services and neighborhood aids from the surrounding merger communities, including from Plankstadt, Schwetzingen and Brühl, were invited. A total of 40 people took part in the event and exchanged information about various aspects of loneliness.

The event was led by Ingrid Knöll-Herde, Annete Weber, Pastor Tobias Habicht and Pastor Christiane Banse. Knöll herd presented the different facets of loneliness-from emotional to social to collective loneliness. She emphasized the health risks that loneliness brings with it: it can lead to serious illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, depression and even an increased risk of suicide. According to a new study by the University of Cambridge, it can be seen that loneliness is not only subjective, but also has objectively measurable effects on health, especially in heart diseases and other chronic suffering. The study demonstrated, among other things, that the feeling of loneliness with changes in the so-called proteome-the entirety of proteins in the blood-has been associated with serious health consequences, as [German-longevity society] (https://deutsche-longevity-gesellschaft.de/reaches- von-lubung-auf--gesundheit- newest-forschungen/).

practical approaches and offers

The conference also presented practical examples that offer positive alternatives to loneliness. Elisabeth Groß from TSV showed how to form a sports group, and Ute Walter from the senior citizens' office presented the senior café in the Siegwald-Kehder House. In addition, numerous side-side activities in Oftersheim were mentioned, such as Waldbaden, a boules group, search for cinema and music events. Such social offers can help combat loneliness and promote health, since social isolation in Germany now affects an estimated 8 million people - that is about 10 percent of the population.

In order to actively do something against loneliness, the district senior council of the Rhein-Neckar district has also launched the “Schwätzbänkle” network, which promotes open discussions in communities. A special example is the project "Tischlein Deck dich" in Schwetzingen, where single parents, families and the elderly are invited to a dinner together. The group also organizes breakfast in the Evangelical Community Hall every month.

The role of the community

Ingrid Knöll-Herd emphasized the importance of "third places", such as supermarkets or medical practices that can act as meeting points. This, together with voluntary work, play a crucial role in combating loneliness. All interested parties are invited to strengthen the visiting service team. The next meeting will take place on June 26th at 3:30 p.m. in the Evangelical Parish Office Oftersheim.

The problem of loneliness is also taken seriously by the federal government. Since the Covid 19 pandemic, the feeling of loneliness has increased in all age groups, which leads to an acute need for action. A strategy against loneliness is currently being developed by the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth in cooperation with the competence network. The need for evidence -based structures to combat loneliness was also emphasized at a specialist conference in the past year, such as that [Ärzteblatt] (https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/geschund--szial-solation- der-chen-nach-289712e3-4242-829d-c170809d8) reported.

The message is clear: to reduce loneliness, a joint effort is required. Social activities and support for mental well -being are of great importance to promote well -being in the long term and thus increase the quality of life in Oftersheim.