Cozy chat to combat loneliness: Meetings in Simmering are starting again!

Cozy chat to combat loneliness: Meetings in Simmering are starting again!

A new round of the “Chatting in the Library” event format will start in the heart of Simmering on October 3, 2025, organized by Vienna Health Promotion – WiG. In cooperation with the local libraries, people in the neighborhood are offered a non-binding meeting to combat loneliness and promote social exchange. This program was launched in autumn 2024 and has been very popular ever since. OTS reports that the meetings will take place at two locations: in the library at Leberberg and in the Simmering education center.

The dates are as follows and offer flexible options for those interested:

• Bücherei am Leberberg (Rosa-Jochmann-Ring 5/1, 1110 Wien), jeweils 14:00 bis 16:00 Uhr:
  – Freitag, 03.10.2025
  – Freitag, 17.10.2025
  – Freitag, 31.10.2025
  – Freitag, 14.11.2025
  – Freitag, 28.11.2025
  – Freitag, 12.12.2025
• Bücherei im Bildungszentrum Simmering (Gottschalkgasse 10, 1110 Wien), jeweils 16:00 bis 18:00 Uhr:
  – Donnerstag, 09.10.2025
  – Donnerstag, 23.10.2025
  – Donnerstag, 06.11.2025
  – Donnerstag, 20.11.2025
  – Donnerstag, 04.12.2025
  – Donnerstag, 18.12.2025

Participation in these events is free and possible without prior registration. This makes it particularly easy to set off spontaneously.

A space for meetings

The meetings are led by experienced moderators from the Sorgenetz association, who ensure that the exchange takes place in a pleasant and informal setting. This initiative is part of the larger Healthy Districts health initiative, which is focused in the 11th district and is actively committed to promoting the health of youth and neighborhoods. Loud WiG will primarily address the needs of older people, as loneliness often becomes a problem at these ages and should be combated through targeted social participation.

Older people often experience special challenges in their everyday lives, such as critical life events and the loss of social networks. These factors can lead to loneliness, which has a negative impact on health. Loud Health promotion.ch Loneliness can, among other things, affect the quality of life and have health consequences such as high blood pressure or depression. Therefore, projects to promote social participation, such as “Chatting in the Library”, are of great importance.

Cohesion and support

The Chat in the Library program has proven to be a successful approach to bringing people together and giving them a platform to exchange ideas and make new contacts. It is particularly important for older people to actively participate in their social life in order to promote mental health and life satisfaction. This is a simple way to meet the challenges of old age by strengthening the feeling of community and reducing loneliness.

If you would like to receive more information about the offer, you can visit the Vienna Health Promotion website at wig.or.at.