Fighting loneliness with soup ⏲️ 6 Minute English

⏲️ 6 Minute English - Vocabulary & listening

8 Feb 202406:22

Summary

TLDRIn this episode of '6 Minute English' from BBC Learning English, hosts Neil and Beth discuss loneliness, which has become a 'modern epidemic.' Despite living in crowded cities, many people feel disconnected. They explore the serious health risks associated with loneliness, such as dementia and heart disease. The program highlights a Dutch initiative called 'Oma's Soup,' which brings lonely elderly people together with students to make soup, fostering intergenerational connections. The episode also shares useful vocabulary related to loneliness and emphasizes the importance of reaching out to others for support.

Takeaways

😀 Loneliness is often called a 'modern epidemic' affecting people in towns and cities.
😔 Feeling lonely can affect anyone, regardless of being surrounded by others.
❤️ Loneliness is linked to health issues like dementia, depression, and heart disease.
👵 The tragic story of Bep de Bruin, who was found dead after being alone for 10 years, shocked the Netherlands and inspired action.
🍲 'Oma's Soup' is a project in the Netherlands that brings students and elderly people together to make soup, combating loneliness.
👨‍👩‍👦 The project connects younger generations with the elderly, encouraging social interaction and support.
💡 The idea for 'Oma's Soup' came from two young men, Max and Martijn, who wanted to help the elderly in their community.
📊 49% of British adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time, highlighting the scale of the issue.
👫 Bringing people together can help combat loneliness by fostering connection and friendship.
🕒 The programme also teaches new vocabulary, such as 'crave', 'left out', and 'bring someone together'.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the 6 Minute English episode?
-The episode discusses loneliness, which has been described as the 'modern epidemic,' and explores a project in the Netherlands aimed at combating loneliness.
What is loneliness, according to Myra Anubi?
-Myra Anubi describes loneliness as a feeling when you crave people's company, but find it hard to connect, or feel left out with no one to turn to for support.
How can loneliness affect a person's health?
-Research shows that prolonged loneliness can lead to serious health issues, including a higher risk of depression, dementia, and heart disease.
What tragic event in Rotterdam inspired a national campaign to combat loneliness?
-The death of 74-year-old Bep de Bruin, who was found dead in her home 10 years after her passing, inspired a national campaign in the Netherlands to address loneliness.
What is the goal of the 'Oma's Soup' project?
-'Oma's Soup' aims to bring lonely elderly people together with schoolchildren and students to make soup, encouraging interaction between younger and older generations.
Who started the 'Oma's Soup' project, and why?
-The project was started by Max Kranendijk and Martijn Canters, who were concerned about the isolation and loneliness of their grandparents' generation. They wanted to connect them with students who had free time.
What is the meaning of the Dutch word 'Oma'?
-'Oma' means 'grandma' in Dutch, reflecting the project's focus on helping elderly people, particularly those in the grandparents' age group.
How does the project 'Oma's Soup' bring different generations together?
-The project connects elderly people with students through the simple activity of making soup together, creating a space for interaction between two generations that might not normally engage.
What percentage of British adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time, according to the Campaign to End Loneliness?
-49% of British adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time, which amounts to around 26 million people.
What vocabulary was introduced in the episode, and what do the terms mean?
-Key vocabulary includes 'crave' (to have a strong desire for something), 'left out' (feeling excluded), 'turn to' (seeking help from someone), 'guy' (an informal term for a man), 'free time' (time when you do not have to work or study), and 'bring someone together' (helping people or groups become friendly or do something together).

Outlines

00:00

🐱 Feeling Lonely and Modern Epidemic of Loneliness

Neil and Beth from BBC Learning English discuss loneliness, which Beth feels after spending time with her cat and house plants. Neil explains that loneliness is considered a modern epidemic, affecting people even in crowded cities. It can have severe health impacts, such as increasing the risk of dementia and heart disease. The conversation sets the stage for exploring ways to address loneliness, particularly in the Netherlands, and includes a question about the percentage of British adults who report feeling lonely.

05:01

💔 Understanding Loneliness and Its Impact

Beth guesses that 39% of British adults report feeling lonely, but Neil will reveal the answer later. They discuss how feeling lonely is not the same as being alone—some people feel disconnected even when surrounded by others. Myra Anubi from BBC’s 'People Fixing the World' shares her experience of loneliness as craving human connection and feeling left out. Prolonged loneliness has serious health consequences, including depression, dementia, and heart disease. The segment explores how the need for companionship affects mental and physical well-being.

🥺 Bep de Bruin's Story and Loneliness in the Elderly

The tragic story of Bep de Bruin, a 74-year-old woman found dead in her home in Rotterdam after ten years, highlights the profound consequences of loneliness. Bep had lost contact with her family, and her death shocked the country. Her story inspired a national campaign to combat loneliness, including the creation of 'Oma’s Soup,' a project that brings together elderly people and younger generations to make soup. The project aims to foster connection and prevent isolation among the elderly, especially those who are vulnerable to feeling forgotten.

🍲 Oma’s Soup: Bridging Generations Through Food

Oma’s Soup, initiated by Max Kranendijk and Martijn Canters, was designed to address loneliness in the elderly by connecting them with students. Max and Martijn wanted to engage young people who had free time and connect them with the elderly through cooking together. The initiative encourages young people to spend time with the grandparents’ generation, helping both groups bond over a shared activity. The soup-making project has been successful and spread to multiple cities, including Rotterdam, turning Bep de Bruin’s tragic death into a catalyst for positive change.

📊 The Reality of Loneliness in the UK

Neil reveals that 49% of British adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time, a figure higher than Beth's guess of 39%. This underscores the widespread nature of loneliness, affecting around 26 million people in the UK. The section emphasizes the importance of reaching out and connecting with others to combat this growing problem.

📚 Vocabulary Recap and Final Thoughts

The episode ends with a recap of the vocabulary learned, including 'crave' (a strong desire for something), 'left out' (excluded from an activity), 'turn to someone' (seeking help or support), 'guy' (informal term for man), 'free time' (leisure time), and 'bring together' (to unite people or groups). Neil and Beth close by reminding listeners that if they feel lonely, they are not alone, encouraging them to reach out and connect.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Loneliness

Loneliness is a key theme in the video, described as a feeling of disconnection or isolation even when surrounded by others. It’s portrayed as a 'modern epidemic' that affects mental and physical health, leading to issues like depression and heart disease. The script illustrates loneliness through both personal anecdotes, such as Beth feeling lonely despite having her cat and plants, and societal examples, like the tragic story of Bep de Bruin.

💡Crave

To 'crave' means to have a strong desire or longing for something. In the context of the video, people who feel lonely crave the company of others, indicating their deep emotional need for social interaction. This craving for connection is a central part of the loneliness experience described in the script.

💡Left out

'Left out' refers to the feeling of being excluded from a group or activity. In the video, it is used to describe the emotional aspect of loneliness, where individuals may feel unhappy because they are not included in social interactions, even if people are physically around them. This highlights the emotional isolation that can accompany loneliness.

💡Turn to

'Turn to' means to seek help or support from someone. The video discusses how loneliness often leaves people without anyone to turn to, amplifying their sense of isolation. This is exemplified in the description of lonely individuals who may feel like they have no one to confide in or ask for help during difficult times.

💡Health issues

The script connects loneliness to various health issues, such as depression, dementia, and heart disease. These conditions are linked to long-term loneliness, illustrating how social isolation can have serious physical and mental health consequences. This reinforces the importance of addressing loneliness as a public health concern.

💡Oma's Soup

‘Oma's Soup’ is a project in the Netherlands designed to combat loneliness by bringing elderly people and young students together to make soup. 'Oma' means 'grandma' in Dutch, symbolizing intergenerational connection. The project is highlighted as a successful example of how community initiatives can bridge generational gaps and alleviate loneliness among the elderly.

💡Campaign to End Loneliness

This is an organization in the UK that has been offering advice and support to combat loneliness since 2011. The script mentions that nearly half (49%) of British adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time, emphasizing the widespread nature of the problem and the importance of initiatives like this campaign in addressing it.

💡Free time

'Free time' refers to leisure time when individuals are not working or studying. In the video, Max and Martijn, the founders of 'Oma's Soup,' identified that their student friends had lots of free time, which they could use to engage with elderly people. This highlights how free time can be utilized to create meaningful social interactions and help alleviate loneliness.

💡Generational isolation

Generational isolation refers to the growing gap between different age groups, particularly the elderly and the younger generation. In the video, Max and Martijn noticed that their grandparents' generation was becoming increasingly isolated, and through 'Oma's Soup,' they sought to address this by fostering intergenerational connections. This isolation is a key contributor to loneliness, especially among the elderly.

💡Social connection

Social connection is the underlying solution to the issue of loneliness discussed in the video. Projects like 'Oma's Soup' aim to create opportunities for social interaction, bridging generational and social gaps to foster a sense of belonging. The video emphasizes that connecting with others, whether through community projects or everyday interactions, is crucial for combating the harmful effects of loneliness.

Highlights

Loneliness has been called the 'modern epidemic,' affecting millions of people despite living in cities.

Loneliness can increase the risk of health issues such as dementia, depression, and heart disease.

Loneliness is different from being alone; some people may be surrounded by others but still feel disconnected.

Craving people's company and feeling left out are key emotional aspects of loneliness.

The death of 74-year-old Bep de Bruin, who had been dead for ten years before being discovered, shocked the Netherlands.

Bep de Bruin's tragic story inspired a national campaign to combat loneliness in the Netherlands.

Oma's Soup is a project in the Netherlands aimed at bringing together lonely elderly people with students to make soup.

The project 'Oma's Soup' encourages intergenerational connection, with young people spending time with the elderly.

Oma's Soup was started by two young men, Max Kranendijk and Martijn Canters, to address loneliness in the elderly.

'Oma' means 'grandma' in Dutch, highlighting the focus on bringing together different generations.

Oma's Soup has spread to multiple cities across the Netherlands, including Rotterdam, Bep de Bruin's hometown.

The Campaign to End Loneliness in the UK revealed that 49% of British adults feel lonely at least some of the time.

Loneliness is linked to both mental and physical health risks, emphasizing the importance of connection.

The project Oma's Soup represents a positive outcome, creating social bonds and combating loneliness through community initiatives.

In this programme, listeners learn vocabulary related to loneliness, such as 'crave,' 'left out,' and 'bring together.'