Gwangjin-gu Operates 'Let's Heal Together' for Middle-aged and Elderly Single-person Households

2023 Gwangjin-gu Single-Person Household Survey Results: 'Middle-aged and Elderly Need Opportunities for Healthy Living'... Sharing Lunch and Participating in Craft Activities Help Form Healthy Eating Habits and Reduce Social Isolation

"Eating together is definitely more delicious than eating alone.", "I felt lonely during lunch, but I am grateful to communicate with various people.", "It is so enjoyable to have a meal together and make craft works."

These are the impressions of participants in the 'Shall We Heal Together' program at the Gwangjin-gu Single-Person Household Support Center 2nd Center.

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) opened the 'Gwangjin-gu Single-Person Household Support Center' in December last year to support care, safety, housing, economic independence, and to help form social networks for single-person households. The 1st Center is located in Jayang-dong, and the 2nd Center is in Junggok-dong.

'Shall We Heal Together' is a program designed to form social networks. Middle-aged and elderly single-person households gather during lunchtime to eat together and participate in craft activities.

The Gwangjin-gu Single-Person Household Support Center planned the program reflecting the results of the 2023 Gwangjin-gu Single-Person Household Survey to support healthy eating habits among middle-aged and elderly single-person households and to alleviate social isolation.

On the first day of the program, November 8, 15 middle-aged and elderly participants joined. They gathered in small groups to have lunch and made items such as 'mood boards expressing themselves,' taking time to greet and get to know each other. The response was positive.

The program consists of a total of 10 sessions, with 7 remaining. Planned activities include lunch, making cup coasters, macrame, resin art, and mother-of-pearl mobiles.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, "We expect the program to greatly help enhance the emotional stability of middle-aged and elderly single-person households and expand their social networks," adding, "We offer various programs for living healthily alone, so we hope for much interest and participation."