Many people struggled with isolation and loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic, and may still be unsure as to how to reintegrate themselves into social situations.
To help this, a new campaign aimed at breaking down the barriers between the generations and promoting inclusivity has been launched in Derry and Strabane.
The Reconnecting Again campaign is part of the wider Age Friendly initiative being rolled out by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with the Public Health Agency, which aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness in the over 50's age group.
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The Reconnecting Again campaign seeks to raise awareness, using a range of tools including social media, and to highlight opportunities to connect and re-engage, particularly as Covid-19 restrictions ease further and it becomes possible to socialise safely.
Launching the campaign, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Graham Warke, said: "It's hugely important to tackle isolation, particularly in the older community. The past two years have been exceptionally difficult for everyone, especially for those in more vulnerable groups and our older people.
"Many people found themselves cut off from family and friends at a very stressful time when we all needed emotional support.
"For others this may be a more difficult and challenging time in their lives, as they begin re-establish those connections and to reengage in social activities.
"Through the Reconnecting Again campaign, Derry and Strabane Council hopes to encourage the many organisations that offer services, activities and programmes to support older people by encouraging them to get involved and access the support and friendship on offer.
"No one in our community should feel isolated or alone, especially as we move towards normality as restrictions ease, but the onus is on all of us to do our bit and create opportunities to interact."
Almost one third of the people aged 65+ years within the Derry City and Strabane District area are living alone. Chronic loneliness also affects 1 in 20 people in Northern Ireland.
The Reconnecting Again campaign reaches out to all sectors, encouraging local organisations in the community and voluntary sector and also local businesses to help promote the message by getting involved and showing their support.
The campaign wants to empower people to reconnect to help address social isolation and loneliness.
Council's Age Friendly Co-Ordinator Ciara Burke said: " There are people in our community who are understandably hesitant about getting out and about again especially as the pandemic impacted our lives in many ways and hindered our social connections.
"We want this campaign to encourage others in our community to involve our older citizens and also help prompt and encourage them to strengthen and build their social networks to help support them so they feel that they can re-engage and reconnect within their community again."
Fiona Teague, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the Public Health Authority added: "We recognise the impact Covid-19 has had on the health and wellbeing of our communities, in particular members of our older population, where feelings of loneliness and isolation were greatly exacerbated.
"The campaign highlights the need for us all to play our part to help friends, family and neighbours re-integrate confidently into our community."
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