THE CREATION of networks of trust, solidarity, information exchange and mutual aid is enormously important in a functioning and healthy society and, as the malign effects of recession take hold, a special effort will have to be made by voluntary, charitable and religious organisations to encourage participation in community activities. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable in terms of isolation and unsatisfactory relationships, but so too are those who experience poor health and find themselves out of work.
The Central Statistics Office yesterday published a report on how individuals in various parts of the State related to community involvement and social networking in 2006. Its findings are generally positive. But the economic situation has changed dramatically since that time and the need to reach out to vulnerable groups and involve them in community activities has never been greater. The growing number of young unemployed represents a particular challenge.
Earlier this year, President McAleese launched a social initiative through the GAA and the IFA to reach out to older men in rural communities who felt lonely and cut off. It was an important development in tackling rural isolation. But this study has found that urban isolation is even more pronounced and that non-Irish nationals experience severe problems in that regard. The study also showed there is a wealth of goodwill and voluntary commitment waiting to be tapped.
An amazing one in four people participated in informal, unpaid charitable work. Nearly two-thirds of those questioned engaged in at least one group activity. More than half could turn to at least six people in a time of need. Nearly two-thirds believed that, in general, most people could be trusted. And four out of five felt people in their neighbourhood tried to be helpful most of the time.
These findings are very reassuring in terms of social solidarity and community involvement, traits which were thought to have been lost in the Celtic Tiger years. The challenge now is to harness that meitheal spirit at a time of growing economic stress; to encourage elderly and ill people to live their lives as actively and positively as possible and to employ the talents and abilities within communities to provide social supports and job opportunities. We are in changed circumstances today. But innovation and community involvement can help to generate employment opportunities in tourism and in new technologies.