San Juan de Dios launches Week Against Unwanted Loneliness in Spain

The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God, in collaboration with local authorities, has launched the first Week Against Unwanted Loneliness, running from October 19 to 25. The initiative aims to combat social isolation through participatory actions in various Spanish cities, including Granada, Seville, and San Juan de Aznalfarache.

In Granada, activities include inviting citizens to share a coffee with strangers to foster conversation and visibility. In Seville and San Juan de Aznalfarache, the ‘Plazas contra la soledad’ (Squares against loneliness) project uses public spaces to encourage dialogue and create new social bonds.

Data highlights the scale of the issue: in Spain, unwanted loneliness affects 20% of the population, including one in four young people. In Andalusia, the figure is slightly higher at 22.6%, with 30.2% of those aged 18 to 34 reporting feelings of loneliness. The initiative emphasizes that loneliness is a social emergency affecting emotional well-being and physical health across all age groups.