A Farewell and a Warm Welcome
By Aba Amihyia, Community Manager at The Tackling Loneliness Hub and Communications & Growth Strategist at Neighbourly Lab.
This Friday will mark my last day as Community Manager for the Tackling Loneliness Hub and Communications Lead at Neighbourly Lab.
Being part of a community so committed to building social connection and tackling loneliness, across so many different contexts and experiences, has been a real privilege. Every conversation, webinar, event and moment of shared learning has reminded me how much people can achieve when they approach this work with openness and a willingness to learn from one another.
One of the things I’ve valued most is the range of perspectives within the Hub. From the members on the frontline who bring practical insight from day-to-day experience, to those working in policy, research, community development and beyond — it’s the mix of real-world stories, evidence and reflection that makes this space so special.
Being able to help connect those threads has been a real joy, and I’m proud of the sense of community and shared purpose we’ve built together over the last year and a half.
Dr James Bevan, Tara Reid, Dr Helen MacIntyre, Harry Hobson, David Gradon, Prof. Manuela Barreto, Natasha Ereira-Guyer, Aba Amihyia, Helayna Jenkins and Agnes Gautier.
I want to give a special mention to Andrea Wigfield, Antonia Ypsilanti and Alfredo Sanchez, who form such an important part of the Hub team. Their expertise, steady support and thoughtful approach help shape so much of what the Hub delivers, and it has been a pleasure working alongside them!
I have also been fortunate to work closely with the fantastic team at DCMS, whose support for the Hub and belief in our vision for it, has been invaluable. I’ve seen how countries around the world are approaching loneliness and building social connection, and it’s remarkable to see how often the Hub – and the UK government’s pioneering role in establishing it, is looked to as an example globally. I have no doubt this work will continue to inspire social impact efforts everywhere for years to come.
L-R: Emma Barlow (DCMS) Sarah Mitton (SNG) Harry Hobson & Me (Neighbourly Lab) & Ceri Gibbins (Clarion).
While I’m sad to step away, I’m delighted to introduce, Gaetano Iannetta, who will be taking over as your new Community Manager. Gaetano joins Neighbourly Lab from Spirit of 2012, where he has been working as Policy & Parliamentary Officer. I know he will be a brilliant fit for the Hub!
Thank you, for making my time as Community Manager so meaningful. The conversations, collaborations, and the sense of shared commitment that runs through this community is inspiring. After a truly memorable chapter, I’ll be moving on to a new role as Communications Manager at Alma Economics. I’ll be watching and supporting from afar and I can’t wait to see where the Hub goes next!
Over to you, Gaetano!
Biography
Aba Amihyia
Aba’s background sits at the intersection of communications, community-building, and social impact, with a strong focus on using culture and storytelling to drive connection.
Aba is passionate about creating meaningful moments of exchange and collaboration – especially across sectors and lived experiences and brings a creative lens into all projects – whether it’s shaping campaigns, curating events, or designing spaces that feel inclusive and inspiring.
Outside of the Hub, Aba founded ‘Who We Are – The Art of Connection‘ a creative project exploring how the arts, identity, and social connection intersect – with an eye on what brings people together and how we can challenge the narrative of a divided Britain.
Responses