Gwanak-gu to Prevent Isolation of Middle-Aged and Older Single-Person Households with Life Skills Training and Choir Programs

To Run from This Month Until Year-End

Gwanak-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Junhee), is set to launch the “2026 Open Call Happiness Enhancement Project for Single-Person Households,” aimed at preventing the isolation of single-person households and strengthening their social networks. The two projects selected through this year’s open call will finalize agreements this month and be operated in sequence until the end of the year.

Last year's activity scene of the "Happy Talk Talk Lucky Land Cooking Class" for single-person households in Gwanak-gu. Provided by Gwanak-gu.

The first project, “Re(organize) and Re(welcome) Spring (Neighbors),” will be carried out by the Seoul YWCA Bongcheon General Social Welfare Center. It will offer step-by-step training and practice in practical life skills for middle-aged and older single-person households, including organizing and storage, minor home repairs, and cooking together. In particular, the project links the learned skills to activities that support vulnerable households in the local community. This aims to create a virtuous cycle of “learning-practice-sharing,” enabling single-person households to grow beyond being mere recipients of assistance and become key caregivers within the community.

The second project is “Gwanak Single Harmony,” a choir for middle-aged and older single-person households, operated by the Gwanak 50 Plus Center. The project aims to help participants regain emotional stability and a sense of social belonging by discovering their own voices and harmonizing with others through choral singing. It consists of regular choir practices and small group exchange activities. The district will also actively support participant-led self-help groups to ensure continuous communication in everyday life.

Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Junhee stated, “I hope this project serves as a catalyst for middle-aged and older single-person households to reconnect with their neighbors, regain vitality in their lives, and establish themselves as confident members of the community.” He also added, “Going forward, we will continue to provide tailored, on-site support so that single-person households can lead happy lives within a close-knit social network, without becoming isolated.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.