Jersey's young people feel lonelier than any other age group

Monday 08 January 2024

The founder of a social media group designed to help islanders find new friends has admitted that Jersey can be a "lonely" and "difficult place", as new research indicates that younger people feel more lonely than any other age group.

New research by Statistics Jersey has revealed that a quarter of adults in Jersey frequently feel lonely.

The recent survey of 1,500 islanders found that those aged between 16 and 34 were significantly more likely to report feeling lonely than older age groups. 

Pictured: The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle report 2023 indicated that young islanders experience loneliness more often than any other age group. (Statistics Jersey)

Specifically, 41% of young people experience loneliness often or sometimes, compared to 16% of individuals aged 65 and older.

To combat loneliness as well as help people who are new to the island to settle, 27-year-old Kira Moisan set up a Facebook group called ‘Safety in New Friends’ in 2022. 

It proved popular and has gathered almost 2,400 members in the last two years.

Pictured: Members of the 'Safety in New Friends’ group in October enjoying ice cream and new connections down at Gorey. 

The group holds weekly group activities including walks, meals out, Sunday roasts, visiting the pub, as well as photography, bowling and crazy golf sessions. 

Kira sat down with Express to explain how Jersey can be a "lonely" and "difficult place" and how islanders can combat this and make themselves feel less alone. 

She said: “I decided to set up the [social media] page as I noticed a few people on Facebook who said they had recently moved to the island, were struggling to make friends and felt lonely.

"I know how they felt as when I returned to Jersey in 2019 I felt like I had lost a lot of friends and it really impacted me mentally.

"The island can be a difficult place and I think some people feel like they don’t fit in.”

Pictured: The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle 2023 report found that a quarter of islanders often experience feeling lonely. (Statistics Jersey)

Kira added: “People have been so grateful for the opportunity to meet new friends and for me personally, I have already gained a friendship group out of it and met some amazing people of all ages and backgrounds and nationalities, with different interests and hobbies.

“Coming along to the events is putting you in a position where you are outside your comfort zone. I still feel nervous sometimes coming along but within two minutes I feel absolutely fine and I always end up having a buzz and feeling better after.

“It is totally okay to feel lonely. It is normal. We have to try and accept it as a feeling, and then try and do something about it – whether that is spending the evening looking after ourselves, watching TV, reading a book or coming along to one of my events."

Pictured: Miss Moisan wants to encourage islanders to attend her weekly meet-ups and put themselves out of their comfort zone. 

In an attempt to encourage others to attend one of the group meet-ups, Kira said: “Show that strength and try your best to do something beneficial for your mental health.

"Take one step at a time to try and bring yourself out of the vicious mental cycle.

“Recognise that not having a friendship group doesn't make you a bad person and you can prove it to yourself by coming along to one of our events to boost your social confidence and battle the anxiety bit by bit.

“I would urge anyone who is unsure to give it a try as it has really improved my confidence.”

Anyone wishing to join Kira's group can visit ‘Safety in New Friends’ on Facebook and should keep an eye on any upcoming events via the page.