ALone/Together
Based on research by MMU, funded by The Co-op foundation
Over the last year we have all experienced loneliness in ways that we could never have imagined. Research has shown that it’s been especially hard on young people.
This isn’t a new crisis, but it’s one that has become more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2016, the Co-op Foundation commissioned a research project into youth loneliness. This was a collaboration between MMU and 42nd Street.
200+ young people across the UK were involved and the results sparked a vital conversation.
Fast forward to 2021 and this research has never been more important.
Young people are returning to face to face education after prolonged periods away from their friends – the worries and anxieties about missing out, about changes, and about isolation will have been amplified for so many people.
This isn’t a new crisis, but it’s one that has become more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2016, the Co-op Foundation commissioned a research project into youth loneliness. This was a collaboration between MMU and 42nd Street.
200+ young people across the UK were involved and the results sparked a vital conversation.
Fast forward to 2021 and this research has never been more important.
Young people are returning to face to face education after prolonged periods away from their friends – the worries and anxieties about missing out, about changes, and about isolation will have been amplified for so many people.
“Tell them that Youth Loneliness exists.
Tell them that we need to be able to talk about it without being ashamed of it.
Tell them it’s a real thing that really, really hurts. It’s painful.
But it might not be the worst thing and this it does not need to go on for ever. It can come to an end”
- 42nd Street Youth Co-Researchers
Lost and Found
Lost & Found is a browser-based interactive experience launching in March 2021 which aims to open up a conversation around and increase understanding of youth loneliness.
Fusing narrative storytelling with interactive gaming the experience leads the player through a search for 18 year old missing person Jessica.
by Tricia Coleman, John Sear, & Jana Wendler
Fusing narrative storytelling with interactive gaming the experience leads the player through a search for 18 year old missing person Jessica.
by Tricia Coleman, John Sear, & Jana Wendler
Let's Talk About
Building on the Loneliness Connects Us research, a group of creatives at Salford University have created a piece of immersive video around loneliness.
Best viewed using VR, this dynamic video opens up the dialogue about youth loneliness.
Best viewed using VR, this dynamic video opens up the dialogue about youth loneliness.
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Ensuring the video plays well:
On an android: Tap the three dots at the top of the screen when the video is selected Then make sure the quality is set to 2160s If you can - choose watch in VR On a laptop: Click the settings button and choose to play back in 2160s 4K |
Credits
Kyso Young People Young people from the Greater Manchester Housing Providers Youth Forum (GMPH) 42nd Street Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Group – Ruth Coglan Martin Cook – Sound Development James Duggan – Lead Researcher With Thanks to Ju Row Farr – Blast Theory Connoll Pavey - Video Design Niki Woods – Lead Artist This project builds on the Loneliness Connects Us research developed by Janet Batsleer, James Duggan and 42nd Street. Funded by the Co-op Foundation. With thanks to Plant for venue support. |
Poetry
Alone Together by Cariad Hughes
Alone Together - a group poem by Helen Mort and 42nd Street