Workshop on ‘Unwanted Solitude and Relational Bonds’ at the European Researchers’ Night
The event, organised by the PROMOBIENESTAR University Chair in collaboration with DIGITAS, features a workshop on unwanted loneliness and how we relate to those around us
On 25 September 2026, the DIGITAS project, led by the University of Jaén in collaboration with the PROMOBIENESTAR University Chair, organised a workshop focusing on mental health in relation to unwanted loneliness, with a particular emphasis on raising awareness of how we interact with others. The event took place during the European Researchers’ Night in Jaén, under the title ‘And you, how are you feeling? Connected or isolated?’. During the event, various activities were organised to encourage participants to reflect on their social relationships, inform them about signs or indicators of potentially toxic relationships in general (partners, friends, family), the use of social media, and the presence or absence of unwanted loneliness.
During the workshop, participants were provided with information on these topics, as well as the opportunity to learn about helpful tools such as DIGITAS, PROCARE and PROCORE from the PROEM Network (https://redproem.es/). The workshop consisted of two short activities: the ‘Wall of Strings’ and a session where participants could share the steps each of them could take to avoid feeling alone. The ‘Wall of Strings’ consisted of a mural where each person had to tie a string to the statement that best reflected their situation: ‘I feel very connected and supported’, ‘I feel that my relationships are superficial’, ‘I have friends, but sometimes I feel lonely’ and ‘I am lonely’. In the next activity, a space was set aside where participants wrote on a sticky note what made them feel less lonely, leaving it on display so that others could read it. Furthermore, as a thank you for sharing their advice, participants were given a piece of advice on the same topic. Similarly, wristbands promoted by the PROMOBIENESTAR University Chair were also handed out, bearing the phrase ‘Find your connection, nurture your bonds’, along with a ‘A Minute for You’ card, which set out a series of questions relating to unwanted loneliness to be answered in private.
The aim of this workshop was to encourage reflection on the relationships we have with others and the loneliness one can feel in the absence of these. Furthermore, throughout the workshop there were numerous informative posters, and the workshop leaders were on hand to strike up conversations with participants, answer any questions they might have, and recommend the support tools available. The workshop took an educational, reflective and positive approach, linking these factors and elements to people’s emotional wellbeing, whilst raising awareness of the concept of unwanted loneliness and how to relate to others in a healthy way.
