Brief Overview/Summary

ConnectEat is a mobile app developed to help university students connect over shared meals, with the aim to prevent/reduce loneliness by increasing social connections through casual mealtime meetups. With ConnectEat, students can easily create or join dining events, offering a friendly and approachable way to make new connections. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the app provides an accessible platform for students who may not participate in traditional clubs or societies, welcoming those from diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences to connect. Through peer-led, regular meetups, ConnectEat fosters a supportive, community-focused culture where students can form friendships, strengthen social networks, and feel more connected on campus.

Our intervention includes a) an app (‘ConnectEat’) enabling the advertising of shared ‘eating events’; b) a social network component within ConnectEat 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.

Background

University life can be challenging, often accompanied by feelings of loneliness, especially among students who face cultural or language barriers, or who juggle multiple responsibilities. Not all students find it easy to join clubs or societies, leading to a gap in social support. Research highlights the positive impact of social interactions, particularly group meals, on reducing loneliness. ConnectEat is thus developed as a solution to make social connections easier and more accessible by facilitating group dining experiences, helping students form meaningful relationships and build a sense of community.

Aims

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 objectives are to:

1)Refine and adapt the ConnectEat app according to further student feedback and analytics, i.e., add new features, gamification.

2)Co-design the peer promotion element to enable regular meetups over lunch/coffee/meal during term time.

3)Test the final version of the app with students regarding its functionality, comprehension/user-friendliness and safety.

4)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 prevent/reduce loneliness, appealing to students of any background, and supporting a more positive university experience.

Our Team

Research Team

The ConnectEat project is led by a diverse and experienced team specialising in mental health, wellbeing, and community support.

The core research team includes:

• Dr. Helena Tuomainen, Associate Professor, Warwick Medical School
• Prof. Domenico Giacco, Professor (Clinical), Warwick Medical School
• Dr. Laura Chandler, Research Fellow, Warwick Medical School
• Abishai Jacob, Software Developer, Warwick Medical School

Co-Investigators:

• Dr. Carla Toro, Associate Professor, Warwick Medical School
• Dr. Ian Saunders, Associate Professor, Computer Science, University of Warwick
• Dr. Sagar Jilka, Assistant Professor, Warwick Medical School
• Dr. Daniel Mensah, Research Fellow, Warwick Medical School

Participatory Action Research Group

The ConnectEat initiative is further strengthened by the contributions of our Participatory Action Research Group, composed of university students who provide valuable insights into user needs and preferences. This group includes:

• Yanyan Li, PhD Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick
• Diya Agarwal, MSc Psychology, University of Warwick
• Judah Chike-Michael, BASc Global Sustainable Development, University of Warwick

Together, this team collaborates with Warwick University’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Unit and other stakeholders to develop a safe, inclusive, and user-centred app that resonates with the diverse student body.

Outputs

ConnectEat will deliver several key outputs aimed at enhancing student connections and reducing loneliness:

1. A fully functional app that enables students to create and join shared meal events at convenient times and locations, with filters for preferences and interests.
2. Peer promotion materials to equip students with the skills needed to organise group events and encourage participation.
3. A university-wide social media campaign to increase ConnectEat’s visibility, including promotional videos, table flags, and flyers for high-traffic areas.
4. Research insights and feedback from usability testing and student input to guide ongoing app improvements and ensure ConnectEat fulfils its mission to reduce loneliness and foster social connections.

 

Contacts

Dr. Helena Tuomainen (helena.tuomainen@warwick.ac.uk)

Dr. Laura Chandler (laura.a.chandler@warwick.ac.uk)