Loneliness is fast becoming an epidemic and Northern Ireland has not gone unaffected. The global Shapers Belfast Hub has developed a strong relationship with Red Cross and today is planning to implement the joint project.

The first phase is a pin badge designed and delivered by Belfast Hub in a mini-project called 'Happy to chat' to encourage open dialogue and human interaction on public transport, and public spaces. a social media campaign to raise awareness of loneliness will accompany the launch of the pin and aims to challenges stereotypes among young people of the issue.

The project aims at linking with local authorities to impact the growing issues of loneliness in Belfast and wider NI developing a safe space network for friendship and communication that the Belfast Hub Shapers would facilitate