Women’s Football Initiative Addresses Loneliness on Island

A 2023 survey by Statistics Jersey revealed that 25% of adults on the island reported feelings of loneliness, a trend also observed in the UK. One individual has found a way to address this issue using football. Julie Simon, a coach for girls and women at St Ouen’s Football Club, initiated “come and play” football sessions for women on Friday evenings. Her aim was to create a chance to connect with friends she rarely saw. These sessions, which are non-competitive and do not require a weekly commitment, have attracted 35 participants since their inception a month ago. Ms. Simon shared that, as a mother, she struggled to allocate personal time for herself and for social interactions. Participating in the group made her realize she was “not alone.” She highlighted how the social dimension of football enhanced her confidence. The shared moments with friends and the opportunity to meet new individuals contributed to her feeling less isolated, she stated. Ms. Simon commented: “I have made so many friends from this group and also got back with people I already class as friends but I just haven’t seen.” She added: “This is one hour a week where I can just have fun, laugh with my friends and exercise.” Ms. Simon described the group as “hilarious” and an excellent chance to “actually have conversations” with other women during physical activity. She remarked: “I did 12,000 steps in one hour but it doesn’t feel like it because you’re running around laughing.” She urged others experiencing loneliness to consider forming their own social groups. Regarding sports like football, she stated: “Anyone can try.” The Jersey Football Association (JFA) recently declared its ambition to become the foremost charity on the island dedicated to mitigating social isolation. Tim Pryor, the chief executive, indicated that the association aims to advance its guiding principle of “football for all” by encouraging participation in local clubs or committees. He affirmed that the sport serves as a “force for good in the Jersey community.” He further commented: “Football brings together people from different walks of life and all different ages.” “Football is powerful in tackling social isolation – people could even mow the lawns or sell coffees at matches,” he noted. Social isolation and loneliness share a close connection, with Age UK defining social isolation as “an objective measure of the number of contacts people have.” The charity explained that individuals impacted by social isolation encompass those who may have experienced the loss of a loved one or newcomers to the Island seeking to establish new friendships. For updates, follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Story ideas can be submitted to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.