Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic

“We are currently facing a LONELINESS EPIDEMIC. Together, we can do something about it!” Tammy Claughton, founder of The Porch Movement.

When I first met Tammy, her passion to help people forge meaningful connections with others intrigued me. Over the last few years, she found others with the same passion and decided to do something about it.  Tammy started by simply inviting neighbors to her porch for a casual get-together. It has grown to an organization that hosts gatherings throughout the community. “We are hard-wired for connection. Reaching out to others will help us break the grip that fear, anxiety and loneliness have on our lives.”

Connection Through Activity

Some of the ways The Porch Movement has affected lives for good is by connecting people with the same interest. A lady who was new to her community loves to ski. She accepted an invitation to an Open Porch, get-to-know-you, gathering and through making new connections, found the perfect ski partner.

A young teenager was concerned about the ways his peers were lonely and struggling with feeling isolated. He has joined The Porch Movement and helped plan a Student Porch at a local ice cream shop. It was great for him and the 12-15 students who showed up to play games and hang out face to face. They are fighting the Loneliness Epidemic.

Simply getting established in a new community is daunting. A newly retired and relocated lady accepted an invitation to a “porch” meeting at a local coffee shop. Through stepping out of her comfort zone, she found new friends and new community activities to enjoy.

Looking Out for Each Other

Looking out for each other is another benefit of connection. A neighborhood Porch host realized she had not seen an older neighbor for a bit. With the help of a friend, they found she was in the hospital. These “porch” friends made visits to the hospital and helped their friend transition home when it was time. They have brought her meals and helped with errands while she is healing. When one lady asked, “how did we become such good friends?”, the lady who was healing quickly said, “You invited me to your porch gathering last summer!”.

Enjoying relaxed, in-person connections can lift our spirits and relieve some of life’s anxieties. It helps fight the Loneliness Epidemic. Tammy Claughton says, “As the Founder of The Porch Movement, I’m passionate about the idea of bringing back porches in our community. Environments where we can hold space for each other, get to know one another, have open and honest discussion about our lives, our beliefs, our insights on all that is going on in this world. A space where we can be seen, heard and valued. A place where we build authentic community and really show one another love in practical ways.”

How Can We Fight the Loneliness Epidemic?

I love knowing that there are many organizations working hard to help, support and encourage each other. If we look around, we can find many like Tammy Claughton and The Porch Movement team who are eager to fight the loneliness epidemic. Connecting with others is key to improved physical, mental, and emotional health. Suicide Prevention

What can we do to build connections where we are? Visit theporchmovement.com for ideas of what you can do to forge meaningful connections. Keep it simple or go all out based on your time and energy. Get connected and find ways you can fight the loneliness epidemic.