Esah's Story: Understanding loneliness among young migrants
When Esah Tarar began his Citizen Scientists research project, he wanted to better understand an issue that is often hidden from view – loneliness among young migrants.
As a young migrant himself, Esah recognised that moving to a new country can bring opportunities, but also challenges. Leaving behind family, friends and familiar surroundings can make it difficult to build new connections and feel a sense of belonging.
Through interviews and conversations with young people aged 18–24 living in Newham, Esah explored how loneliness affects migrant communities and the different ways people experience it.
His research found that loneliness is not always visible. Many young people can appear confident and connected on the outside while still feeling isolated, misunderstood or disconnected from those around them.
Participants spoke about adjusting to a new culture, language barriers, living independently for the first time and the difficulties of building support networks in an unfamiliar environment.
One of the strongest messages from the research was that loneliness is not simply about being physically alone – it is about feeling disconnected from the people and places around you.
Esah hopes his research encourages more open conversations about loneliness and helps people recognise the importance of community, friendship and support.
As he reflected:
"You are not alone."
His research highlights how small acts of kindness, a welcoming conversation or a sense of belonging can make a significant difference to someone who is still finding their place in a new country.
Alongside his research, Esah also helped create the first Newham Community Research Network podcast, exploring men's mental health and the importance of talking openly about wellbeing.
