Finding Community: Pathways Out of Loneliness

Loneliness can arise when people have few opportunities to experience genuine connection with others. This is where the group comes in, creating spaces in which a sense of belonging can be actively experienced. By working together on personal topics, a social space of resonance emerges that replaces isolation with relationship and contact. Through the structured sharing of experiences, loneliness becomes visible, discussable, and therefore open to change. Through facilitated interaction, shifts in perspective, small experiments in experiencing contact, and shared reflection, participants develop new forms of connectedness and strategies for social effectiveness. The group functions not only as a source of support, but also as a learning environment for shaping relationships. In this way, resilient connections are formed that extend beyond the individual meeting and help to sustainably reduce loneliness.

With a background in Islamic Studies and Urban Planning, Marco spent 20 years as a leader in NGOs and government advisory roles, focusing on international collaboration in conflict zones like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan. He’s taught conflict and fragility at RMIT and the University of St. Gallen. Trained as a systemic coach at the Humboldt University’s Artop Institute, Marco integrates somatic practices, including bodywork and breath techniques, into his coaching. Currently, he’s advancing his skills in Gestalt therapy at IGG Berlin. In his free time, Marco enjoys dance and improvisation.

Belonging versus loneliness: everybody can feel lonely sometimes
As human beings we have a natural longing for social connection and support by others. Due to individual and structural discrimination queer people have an ever higher risk to suffer from chronic loneliness.
In cooperation with the Landesstelle für Gleichbehandlung – (Berlin State Office for the Equality of Treatment – against Discrimination) we are village | queer matters has set itself the goal to offer some programming on the issue of loneliness in the queer community.

We have also created a survey to find out more about your experiences of loneliness. With your help, we can create a better program that meets your needs and with which we can create more togetherness!

General information
This group consists of a maximum of 15 participants with registration.
Language: This series will be held in German. This series is open to everyone. Your German should be fluent enough to follow an event in German.
Cost: free event with registration
Important: you must commit to all 6 sessions.
Dates: 22/01, 12/02, 26/02, 12/03, 09/04, and 23/04.

** This event is part of the we are village program ‘Belonging versus Lonelines‘, with the support of LADS.
Learn more about the program here.