Youth loneliness

Dutch Foundation

About Join Us

Join Us has developed a preventive program that has been proven to reduce loneliness among young people. This program enhances the mental and social health of youth struggling with loneliness. Over recent years, we have impacted 50,000 young people across the Netherlands. Our preventive support is widely embraced: young people know where to find us, our methodology is recognized, and 85 Dutch municipalities and 53 social work organizations are committed partners. The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) have recognized Join Us as a “best practice.”

What is loneliness?

Discover loneliness

Did you know that 33% of Dutch youth aged 12 to 30 feel somewhat lonely. For most, this feeling is manageable, often motivating them to seek out connection. But what if they can’t find their way out? About 10%—more than 450,000 young people in the Netherlands—fall into a downward spiral. Those with few or no close friends often feel ashamed and hide their loneliness from others.

Director of Join Us

Jolanda van Gerwe

“As we tackle loneliness, society continues to change. Factors such as digitalization, individualism, and performance pressure heighten the risk of prolonged loneliness. It is more important than ever to address and counter loneliness. Will you join us? Contact us to explore ways we can make an even greater impact together.”

What works against loneliness?

Solutions to loneliness

Solutions to loneliness often focus on expanding social networks, but this is insufficient. A lasting approach addresses the underlying factors contributing to loneliness. Common underlying mechanisms include negative social perceptions and limited social skills. Join Us therefore focuses on fostering social connections, enhancing social skills, and promoting positive self-perceptions.

What exactly does Join Us?

Reducing loneliness

Join Us has developed a preventive program that reduces loneliness among young people (ages 12-30). Currently implemented in 86 Dutch municipalities. Join Us trains and coaches local youth professionals to implement the program effectively. The program gathers groups, up to 15 young people, twice a month. These gatherings provide enjoyment, peer learning, and a focus on personal leadership. Each participant has one or more personal social challenges, focusing on the root causes of their loneliness. Once young people have achieved their goals and feel more socially empowered, they transition out of the program.

Join Us online

In addition to the Join Us program, we offer more. Our online program brings groups, up to 9 young people, together once a week for four months. We also host the Join Us community, a platform for youth seeking more connections. Additionally, we actively raise awareness on the topic of loneliness—in politics and in national media.

What methodology does Join Us use?

Validated methodology

Join Us has developed a socially grounded and recognized methodology aimed at equipping young people and young adults with sufficient social resilience to establish and maintain their own networks. During gatherings, participants are guided by professionals who are trained and coached by Join Us to implement the developed methodology and utilize the accompanying webapp. The methodology is thoroughly and comprehensively covered in the professional training. A Dutch-language intervention description is available here!

Why Join Us is so effective?

Succes Join Us methodology

• Safety and enjoyment create a sense of belonging, acceptance, and positive self-image, fostering opportunities to develop new skills.
• Young people participate in group settings where they gain positive experiences, learn from each other, and can practice safely.
• Participants gain insights into how their attitudes and behaviors influence loneliness.
• Self-designed social challenges help young people address the underlying mechanisms of loneliness.
• The program is accessible, with participants deciding their own actions.
• No care referral is required.
• Youth professionals receive training and coaching in the methods, ensuring consistent quality

What impact does Join Us make?

Effective intervention

In 2021, the Join Us program was evaluated by Movisie as “Well-Substantiated.” The intervention is listed in the Database of Effective Interventions. The impact measurements yield promising results, available to social work organizations and municipalities via the impact dashboard. Join Us also conducts research on program effects through the Join Us webapp, where young people complete surveys on loneliness, self-confidence, social skills, well-being, and experience with Join Us after every six gatherings. In 2024, a major study on the effectiveness of Join Us programs will commence. This will be one of the world’s first studies focusing on youth loneliness interventions.

What young people say about Join Us?

Experiences

"At Join Us, you really practice friendships. Social interaction has become easier and more comfortable for me. I now have more confidence and friends to enjoy activities with. I felt very alone because I didn’t understand myself or my emotions. I wanted to connect, but didn’t know where or how. At Join Us, I met peers and can be completely myself. I’m proud of the growth I’ve experienced.”

"I thought I was the only one without friends. My isolation grew so intense that I eventually developed an alcohol addiction. When I entered rehab, my therapist pointed out my loneliness. She believed my isolation was linked to my depression and drinking and encouraged me to explore ways to build connections in my area. ‘Have you heard of Join Us?’ she asked. Now, a few months later, I no longer spend all my time in my bedroom. Join Us has helped me become more at ease in social situations, and I'm starting to express myself more."