Muslim Community led initiatives on tackling loneliness are working. Let’s learn from them.

Image of Bushra Nasir CBE DL

Author: Bushra Nasir CBE DL

Published on: December 23, 2024

Muslim Community led initiatives on tackling loneliness are working. Let’s learn from them. Featured Image

At the Gloucestershire Feed the Hungry project, the queue is already down the street by the time Hash Norat opens up. They not only provide hot meals to 13,000 people a year, but also connection and a sense of belonging. Alongside the food, many people will stay and chat. The hidden problem here is loneliness. 

Loneliness is not just an emotional state. It is a public health crisis with profound social and economic implications. In the UK, one in two of the population report feeling lonely, with 7% suffering from chronic loneliness. The cost? Over £6 billion a year in healthcare and lost productivity- a figure projected to rise to £10 billion by the next decade. Among the most affected are minoritised communities, including the 4 million British Muslims, who face unique challenges in navigating loneliness.

Equi’s recently published report Tackling Loneliness: Learning from British Muslim Experiences highlights these dynamics, combining lived experiences, grassroots interventions, and policy recommendations to create a roadmap for addressing loneliness at the national level.

Loneliness transcends demographics but is compounded in minoritised groups by systemic issues. British Muslims, for instance, encounter distinct triggers such as anti-Muslim hatred, geographic isolation, and socioeconomic deprivation. Geographic isolation further compounds loneliness for many Muslims, alongside socioeconomic factors, including poverty and lack of mobility, deepening these challenges.

Despite these challenges, our report argues that faith can serve as a powerful antidote to loneliness. Islamic teachings emphasise community, charity, and mutual support, creating a framework for resilience and belonging.

Equi’s report deep-dives into 14 case studies showcasing the impact of grassroots, Muslim/community-led initiatives. This highlights that culturally and spiritually informed support services often outperform standard mental health interventions.

Equi is calling for a paradigm shift in how the UK addresses loneliness. Key recommendations include:

  • Improved Data Collection: The Office for National Statistics and other agencies must disaggregate data by ethnicity and faith to better understand the experiences of different communities and inform tailored interventions.
  • Faith-Literate Public Policy: The NHS and Department of Health should embed cultural and faith sensitivity into mental health policy reform and service delivery.
  • Sustainable Funding: Long-term investment in grassroots initiatives is essential. Faith-based organisations, often reluctant to access National Lottery and Prevent funding, require alternative sources to scale their impact.
  • Transportation Access: Expanding travel subsidies for vulnerable populations would address geographic isolation, enabling greater access to community hubs and services.

Addressing loneliness requires more than just resources. It also demands a shift in perception. As our report emphasises, British Muslims are not passive victims of loneliness but active contributors to solutions that benefit all communities. By amplifying their initiatives and insights, the UK can pioneer a model of community-driven, culturally inclusive policy making.

As the government prepares its next strategy on loneliness, it should embrace the lessons of this report. By doing so, it can ensure that no one, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or geography, is left behind. The future of a more connected, compassionate Britain depends on it.

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