Peer promoted LunchChat app at university: connecting students at mealtimes to prevent/reduce loneliness

Loneliness is a considerable problem among university students. In a recent survey, a quarter of students felt lonely all or most of the time. Students of minoritized ethnic or gender backgrounds, or with disabilities or autism, international students, or with caring responsibilities report even higher levels of loneliness than other students. Long-lasting loneliness can damage our physical and mental health. Our recent systematic review of 37 interventions identified that interventions which brought students together in groups were most likely to reduce loneliness. Supporting university students to connect regularly outside of the classroom could therefore be a key ingredient for interventions to prevent/reduce loneliness. Most universities host student societies/clubs based on hobbies/interests, but these may not be of interest or accessible to everyone. More inclusive solutions are needed that make use of the time students are on campus and help break down barriers to forming social connections.

Our aim is to further the co-design and development process of an intervention to prevent/reduce loneliness among a wide range of students, especially among those at higher risk of loneliness who might struggle to connect with others via existing societies/clubs.

Our intervention includes a) an app ('LunchChat') enabling the advertising of shared 'eating events'; b) a social network component within LunchChat that helps users to introduce themselves and/or seek people with shared interests; c) training of students to become peer promoters of the initiative; d) a (social) media campaign within the University to advertise the initiative.

'LunchChat' allows users to create and/or join an eating event and filter events by e.g., gender of the organiser. The app brings students together at lunch or break times, to socialise around a meal or drink. Event invites can be for several people or just one person. Peer promoters organise regular group events during term time (e.g., 1pm on Wednesdays in main canteen). This is supported by promotional material (e.g., table flags) and a (social) media campaign, including short videos.

A shared lunchtime/coffee break offers a relaxed way of socialising for those who may struggle with joining societies/clubs because of issues linked to timing, location, language, or lack of specific skills or confidence. Shared mealtimes can help with the formation of social relationships, which can increase feeling connected to others and social support. This can help prevent/reduce loneliness and increase wellbeing.

Our intervention draws on literature on social networks, friendship formation and social significance of meals. We will build on our previous research co-created and co-developed with students. A prototype 'LunchChat' app with basic components was developed as a final year computer science project. Our next phase will incorporate new important features identified by students in recent and future Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement (PPIE) sessions.

Our objectives are to:

Refine and adapt the LunchChat app according to further student feedback and analytics, i.e., add new features; gamification;
Co-design the peer promotion element to enable regular meet-ups over lunch/coffee/meal during term time;
Test the final version of the app with students regarding its functionality, comprehension/user-friendliness and safety;
Co-design a university wide (social media) campaign to promote the intervention.
Implemented in full, our intervention offers an integrated, student-led, whole university approach to prevention of loneliness, appealing to students of any background, supporting a more positive university experience.