Do You Need Help in Dealing with Loneliness?

Feeling lonely

Loneliness has no common cause. Sometimes it can be triggered by a life event or change in situation, or it may not be triggered by anything at all.

We all experience feeling lonely in different ways. This means there are a range of ways we can try to overcome loneliness, and we need to identify the help and support that works for us. It’s really important to remember that loneliness and difficult feelings can pass.

While loneliness is a feeling we can all relate to, sometimes admitting we feel lonely is much harder. We want people to talk more openly about feeling lonely and the impact that loneliness can have.

Sometimes it can feel easier to reach out to someone else who may be feeling lonely. There are plenty of simple actions you can take to help lift someone out of loneliness and in doing so, it might help you to feel less lonely too.

Find out more about the steps you can take to help yourself and those around you and where you can find further support.

Advice for loneliness

Here is some practical advice and tips on how to help yourself or others if you or they are feeling lonely.

1. Keep in touch with those around you

Talk to friends and family. Sometimes a friendly chat can make a big difference, whether someone is around the corner or further away.

Whether you choose to meet up in person, or chat on the phone, via video calls or on social media, all contact can help remind you that you are not alone.

Make sure to check in regularly – most of us love hearing from people we have lost contact with. Creating a routine of checking in with others and being more sociable can be good, as it can make it easier to reach out at the time you feel lonely.

Messaging old friends or colleagues, or setting up a group chat on a messaging app like WhatsApp or Messenger may help them and you feel more connected.

2. Join a group

Find a group with a shared interest. Being part of an offline or online group or club is a great way to make connections and meet people. Think about activities that you would like to try out and look for groups centred around these.

The people around you may also be able to introduce you to a group they belong to. This could be anything, from gaming and singing to cooking or sport.

Also remember to be welcoming to newcomers and seek to involve others in the conversation, especially those who may be lacking confidence.

3. Do things you enjoy

Filling your time doing more things you like can stop you from focusing on feelings of loneliness and is good for your wellbeing.

Spending time outdoors in green space, doing exercise and listening to podcasts and radio shows are just some of the ways to boost your mood and occupy your mind.

4. Share your feelings – but do not compare

Being able to talk about how you feel with others can help with loneliness, and hearing a familiar voice or seeing a friendly face makes us feel less isolated.

However, try not to compare yourself with others. Remember that many people may only share the good things happening to them on social media, so comparing can make you feel lonelier.

Plus, we can never be sure of what someone else is going through.

5. Help someone else feel connected

Reach out to others – think about people you know who might be feeling lonely and make an effort to connect with them.

Remember that feeling lonely for a long time can make it harder for people to make new connections. It may be difficult for people experiencing loneliness to respond to your friendly contact at first, so be patient and kind.

Try to keep in touch with those around you too. If you pass neighbours or acquaintances on the street, take the time to smile, wave and chat. You could offer to swap phone numbers or create a local group chat to stay connected.

Think about making time to volunteer – it’s a great way to meet people and connect, and seeing the benefits of your actions can really help to boost your mental wellbeing.

NHS Responders and Age UK Telephone Befrienders are a great place to start.

Support for loneliness

If you cannot reach out to friends or family, if you want to talk to someone in confidence, or if you know someone who may need some support, these organisations are here to help.

If you’re experiencing stress, feelings of anxiety or low mood, the NHS mental health hub has advice, a self-assessment quiz, audio guides and practical tools to help.

Talk to someone about how you’re feeling

The Mix

The Mix offers free confidential help for under-25s to get support online and via a helpline:

• call 0808 808 4494
• text “THEMIX” to 85258
• visit The Mix website for a free online chat service

LGBT Foundation

Confidential and judgement-free support for LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones:

• call 0345 3 30 30 30
• email [email protected]
• visit the LGBT Foundation website

Silverline

A free 24-hour confidential telephone helpline offering information, friendship and advice to people over 55:

• call 0800 4 70 80 90

Communities you could join

The Student Room

The Student Room is the largest online community, with a range of different forums to help students get advice and support from others while studying:

• visit The Student Room
• join The Student Room forums

Mind’s Side By Side

If you are over 18, you can join Side By Side, an online community where you can listen, share and be heard by others:

• visit Mind’s Side By Side website

Opening Doors

Opening Doors is there to support LGBTQ+ people over 50 to live full, vibrant and respected lives free from isolation, loneliness, discrimination and prejudice:

• visit the Opening Doors website

Mumsnet

Mumsnet is a great place to connect with other parents and carers. The website offers advice, knowledge and support to help make lives easier on everything from conception to childbirth and babies to teenagers:

• visit Mumsnet

Gransnet

Gransnet is a social networking site that offers a forum for over-50s to chat, debate, support each other and share a laugh:

• visit Gransnet

Carers UK

Offering expert telephone advice via its support service, Carers UK also has a forum where you can chat and seek advice from others:

• visit the Carers UK website
• join the Carers UK forum
• call 0808 808 7777

NCT

NCT offers a range of free, community-based activities and events across the UK, providing social connection and support for parents. You can also find trusted information and a range of antenatal, breastfeeding and postnatal support on the NCT website. The free Infant Feeding Line is open every day from 8am to midnight if you need support or just someone to talk to:

• visit the NCT website

Bereavement

Ataloss and The Good Grief

If you have been bereaved and need support, Ataloss and The Good Grief Trust offer helplines, information and guidance to help you:

• visit the Ataloss website
• visit the The Good Grief website

Other resources

Mind

Mind has information about dealing with loneliness and offers tips and advice on coping with these feelings:

• visit the Mind website

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross’s “Tackling Loneliness Digitally” programme has developed some new resources to help build confidence, coping skills and connections for adults and young people:

• visit the British Red Cross website

The Campaign to End Loneliness

The Campaign to End Loneliness wants to inspire everyone to connect and bring communities together across the UK. It shares research, evidence and knowledge with thousands of other organisations and the public to make a difference to older people’s lives:

• visit the Campaign to End Loneliness website

The Marmalade Trust

The Marmalade Trust is dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and helping people make new friendships:

• visit the Marmalade Trust website

Co-Op Foundation’s Lonely not Alone

A campaign co-designed with young people to tackle the stigma of youth loneliness and improve mental wellbeing:

• visit the Lonely not Alone campaign website