The loneliest country in Europe must not take its community supports for granted

The State takes the voluntary sector for granted when it comes to community and social cohesion, writes Ivan Cooper

A recent report by The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that young people who live in areas with a strong social infrastructure experience more positive outcomes than those who do not. File picture: iStock/DragonImages

Ireland is the loneliest country in the EU, according to a recent report. In the face of such a concerning analysis, we must do all we can to foster vibrant communities and tackle this increasingly common feeling of isolation.

According to the study, almost 70% of loneliness supports in Ireland are provided by the community and voluntary sector, a term that refers to a wide network of charities, community groups, and social enterprises across Ireland. These supports include Family Resource Centres, Men’s Sheds, call services, and befriending networks.